How to Appeal a Fine For Parking on the Pavement in the UK

Have you been slapped with a fine for parking on the pavement in the UK? If so, you’re not alone. Each month, more than 32,000 people visit this site seeking guidance on tickets and fines.

It can feel quite worrying, but we’re here to help. In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

•  Understanding why you get fined for parking on the pavement
•  Learning how to appeal a pavement parking fine and win
•  Who gives out fines for parking on pavements
•  The cost of a fine for parking on the pavement
•  What happens if your appeal gets turned down

We know that getting a parking fine can be upsetting, and the idea of not paying it might make you worry about your money’s health and possible legal issues.

We’re here to help you find out how to deal with your pavement parking fine. Let’s get started!

Is parking on the pavement illegal in England and Wales?

Yes. It’s an offence to park on a pavement in England and Wales. Even if you only have two wheels on the pavement, the authorities could give you a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Check out what one person posted on a popular online forum:

Source: Moneysavingexpert

Who issues fines for parking on pavements?

The police or a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) could issue you with a Penalty Charge Notice for parking on a pavement.

There is an exception, however, which is when your job involves unloading delivery or loading goods onto a vehicle. In this instance, there should be signs indicating that parking on the pavement is allowed.

How much is the fine for parking on the pavement?

The penalty for parking on a pavement differs depending on which authority issued the Penalty Charge Notice.

• If the police issue you with a Fixed Penalty Charge Notice, the fine could be £50 or more
• If a local council issues the Penalty Charge Notice, you could pay anything from £50 to £130 if the violation happened in London

Even when you “accidentally” park on the pavement, you risk getting a fine! That said, if you settle the fine early, you could get to pay half the amount.

However, if you don’t meet the deadline for paying a pavement fine, it goes up by 50%!

Can you park on the pavement outside your property?

No. Even if you’re not causing an obstruction, you’d be committing an offence if you park your vehicle on the pavement outside your home.

Why? Because not only could your vehicle cause an obstruction, but you’d have broken the law by driving on the pavement to get there!

Why are fines handed out for parking on pavements?

There are many reasons why parking on pavements is illegal. First, a vehicle could cause an obstruction making it hard for:

• People in wheelchairs to use safely use a pavement
• Disabled groups could be hampered by a vehicle parked on a pavement
• Visually impaired people risk being harmed if a vehicle obstructs their path

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Can you appeal a pavement parking fine?

If you’re thinking about appealing the fine, you need to write to the issuing authority and explain why you’re challenging the fine.

This is known as filing an informal appeal against the fine. You have 14 days to make the appeal from the time you got the notice. However, if the fine arrives in the post, it’s 21 days.

Make sure you include as much evidence as you can with your appeal which could be:

• Photos of where you left your vehicle
• Signs saying you were allowed to load or unload items
• A witness statement if there’s anyone who was with you at the time

You should include the following with your appeal:

• The date the fine was issued
• Your address
• Your vehicle registration number – VRN
• The Penalty Charge number

Make sure you send copies, not the originals and send all the evidence to the issuer by registered post. If the issuer upholds your appeal, you won’t have to pay and the fine is cancelled.

If you get a Notice to Owner, you have 28 days to file a formal appeal which is known as making ‘formal representations’. If you miss the deadline to appeal or pay the fine, it goes up by 50%!

Also, getting a fine from an authority is not the same as getting a Parking Charge Notice. 

These fines from authorities are immediately enforceable!

What happens if your appeal is rejected?

If your appeal gets rejected, you could opt to escalate your appeal to a tribunal. I’ve listed which tribunal handles appeals in London and outside London in the table below.

If you don’t appeal or pay the fine on time, the issuing authority could take you to court which could result in a CCJ on your credit file. Plus, you may have to pay court costs too!