Should I Pay or Appeal My Apcoa Parking Fine?

Have you received an Apcoa parking ticket? You’re not alone. Each month, over 32,000 people visit our site looking for guidance on parking fines and tickets.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

•  Who Apcoa is and why you might get a parking fine from them
•  How to appeal an Apcoa parking fine
•  The cost of an Apcoa parking fine and when you should pay it
•  What happens if you choose not to pay an Apcoa parking fine
•  Where to find more help if you need it

We know it can feel scary to get a parking fine — you might be worried about the cost or what will happen if you don’t pay it.

Don’t worry; we’re here to give you the information you need to make the best choice for you.

Why would you get an Apcoa parking fine?

Apcoa is authorised to manage a landowner’s site and can issue parking charge notices when you break their ‘rules’.

So, if you don’t read the T&Cs in an Apcoa-managed car park and break a ‘rule’, you risk getting a ticket. Maybe you got the parking charge because:

• You didn’t pay to park
• Overstayed an allotted time
• Left your car outside of designated parking bays

Is a parking charge notice the same as a penalty charge notice?

Don’t confuse a parking charge notice with a penalty charge notice. They look the same, they have the same acronym, but that’s about it. A parking ticket you get on private land is really an invoice, not a fine. Apcoa will raise an invoice when you break the contract you entered when parking.

Parking charge notices fall under ‘contractual law’ unlike penalty charge notices which are legally enforceable.

So, an operator cannot legally demand payment from you. Only a court can do that.

How much does an Apcoa parking fine cost?

Apcoa could charge you up to £100 for not following their T&Cs. Unfortunately, the government’s cap on parking charge notices was put on hold a couple of months ago. The good news is the cap could be reinstated sometime during 2023!

Also, the operator could discount the amount when you pay a parking charge notice within two weeks. In short, Apcoa could reduce the fine amount by 40%.

Should you pay an Apcoa parking fine straight away?

You could pay an Apcoa parking fine straight away, so you get to pay the reduced amount. Plus, it could save you time, money and stress. But only pay a parking charge notice if you’re sure it’s correct!

First, check all the details on the parking ticket. Then see when and how the parking charge was issued. If Apcoa failed to serve the parking charge correctly, you could have grounds to file an appeal.

Should you appeal an Apcoa parking fine?

Yes. You can appeal against an Apcoa parking fine when you feel the charge is wrong. Plus, when you dispute the parking ticket, the operator puts things on hold until they accept or reject the appeal. So, you gain a little time!

You have 28 days to appeal the charge, but always check the time limit on your parking ticket. Also, when you appeal the parking charge within two weeks, and the operator rejects it, you may still be able to pay the reduced amount.

Make sure you provide a valid excuse when you appeal an Apcoa parking charge notice. The operator will reject your appeal if you don’t.

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What happens if Apcoa rejects your appeal against a parking fine?

Apcoa sends you a letter or email saying your appeal is rejected. The operator must provide details on escalating your appeal to an independent appeals service. Their decision is final, so if they rule in your favour, the fine is cancelled.

But if the independent appeals service sides with Apcoa, you’ll have to pay the parking charge.

Will Apcoa start legal proceedings for unpaid parking fines?

Yes. Apcoa could take you to court if you don’t pay a parking charge notice within the deadline. In short, you must pay within 28 days or face legal proceedings. That said, the operator might ask a debt collector to recover the amount owed.

It’s never a pleasant experience when debt collectors get involved. However, they can’t force you to pay, but they could threaten you with court action!

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How to avoid paying Apcoa parking tickets

If you want to avoid paying a Apcoa parking ticket then you’ll need an airtight appeal.

The best way to perfect your appeal is getting a little advice from a Solicitor. I’d 100% recommend spending a fiver to get a trial of JustAnswer.

You can explain your situation in their chat and they’ll connect you with a Solicitor who can advise you and give you the best chance to win your appeal.

Click here to get the trial offer with JustAnswer.

Can you ignore parking charge notices?

No, don’t ignore an Apcoa parking fine. The operator could take you to court when you ignore a parking charge notice and refuse to pay. But the good news is you can only be charged the amount on the ‘invoice’ and no more.

So, should you pay an Apcoa parking fine or not?

When you’re convinced you to have enough proof for Apcoa to cancel a parking fine, go for it! Everything is put on hold as soon as the operator receives your appeal. It means you save yourself a little time. Sometimes several weeks!

But, if you know you deserve the parking charge and don’t have grounds to appeal, consider paying it within two weeks. You’ll pay the lesser fine and save yourself a whole lot of stress at the same time!

The one thing you should definitely not do is ignore the fact you got an Apcoa parking fine. It could end up being an expensive mistake if you do!

Thanks for reading my post about Apcoa parking fines and whether you have to pay them. I hope the information helps you decide what to do, which could save you time and money!