How to challenge a private parking charge

What is a private parking charge?

A charge from a private car park is an invoice from the company that runs it, saying you broke the terms on its signs. It often calls itself a Parking Charge Notice, which looks like a council ticket on purpose.

The company can only get your address from the DVLA if it belongs to a trade association, either the British Parking Association or the International Parking Community. That membership is what gives you an independent appeal.

Who is liable, the keeper or the driver?

The company's claim is against whoever was driving. In England and Wales it can hold the registered keeper liable instead, but only if it follows the strict notice rules in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. Where no ticket was put on the vehicle, which is usual with camera car parks, the notice has to reach the keeper within 14 days of the parking. A notice that arrives later cannot make the keeper liable.

The keeper does not have to say who was driving. That is why appeals are normally written by the keeper, as the keeper.

Which grounds work?

• The notice to the keeper arrived too late, or leaves out wording the Act requires.
• The signs were unclear, unlit, too small to read from a car, or not visible at the entrance.
• You had paid, or the machine or app was not working.
• You overstayed by only a few minutes. The industry code requires a grace period at the end of parking.
• The company has not shown it has the landowner's authority to issue charges there.
• The amount is out of proportion to any loss or legitimate interest.

Not sure which of these fit your notice? Check it free. You see the verdict and the deadline before you pay.

What are the two stages?

First you appeal to the parking company. The notice says how and by when. If it refuses, its reply must tell you how to go to the independent service: POPLA for British Parking Association members, the Independent Appeals Service for International Parking Community members. The reply gives the deadline and any code you need.

Do not ignore a private charge. Companies do take unpaid charges to the county court, and a court claim you do not answer becomes a judgment against you.