Should I Pay or Appeal Initial Parking? Know Your Rights

Have you been handed a fine from Initial Parking? Each month, more than 32,000 people seek advice on tickets and fines here. It can be tricky and worrying, but there’s no need to panic.

In this handy guide, we’ll share:

• The reasons you might get an Initial Parking fine.
• Ways to appeal and maybe even beat your ticket.
• If Initial Parking is accredited.
• The need to pay the fine, and what happens if you don’t.
• Where to find more help if you need it.

We’ve dealt with many cases like yours. We know how it feels to receive a parking fine, and we’re here to help you. So, take a breath and read on to find out how you can handle your Initial Parking fine.

It’s normal to worry about paying a parking fine that may not be right. You may also worry about how to appeal. We’re here to give you the facts and help you make a smart decision about your ticket. Let’s dive in.

Why would you get an Initial Parking fine?

Initial Parking will fine you for not obeying their ‘rules’. These rules are the Terms & Conditions for parking on a site the operator manages. The T&Cs should be clearly signposted at a car park’s entrance, and you’re expected to read them!

So, you’d get a parking charge notice if you:

• Park badly across two baysDidn’t pay to use the car park
• Forgot to display the parking ticket you purchased on your car
• Left your vehicle in a family-only bay or one reserved for the disabled
• Overstayed your allotted time

If any of the above applies, you’ll be in breach of contract and Initial Parking will serve you with a parking charge notice!

Should you pay an Initial Parking fine within 14 days?

You have the option to pay an Initial Parking fine within 14 days. But you should only pay the parking charge once you’re happy it was served correctly!

You should check the following before coughing up any money:

• Does the parking charge notice have your name on it?
• Did you park badly?
• Did the fine come in the post over 14 days after you’re supposed to have committed a parking infringement
• Were you given a ten-minute grace period before issuing the fine?
• Did you own the car when the parking charge was issued?
• Did the operator follow a code of practice when issuing you the ticket?

Also, don’t pay the fine without first checking all of the above. Because if you think you have grounds to appeal it, you won’t be able to. Once you pay a parking charge notice, you’ve admitted liability!

That said, if you find the parking charge was correctly served, paying it within 14 days means you pay up to 40% less. But the deadline to appeal an Initial Parking fine is 28 days.

Is it worth appealing an Initial Parking fine?

Yes. It’s always worth appealing an Initial Parking fine. Especially when you feel it’s unjust or incorrectly served!

I’ve listed some reasons why you could challenge the fine and have it cancelled here:

• You parked correctly and paid the right fee
• The parking charge arrived in your post box more than 14 days after the alleged infringement
• The road markings and signs were not clear, missing or hidden by bushes
• You couldn’t pay because the machines weren’t working
• Your car broke down, and you had to wait for help
• A medical emergency stopped you from getting back to the car park in time
• The operator issued the parking charge notice before the 10 minutes grace period was up
• There were no signs saying CCTV was in operation, yet the parking charge arrived in the post
• You weren’t the vehicle owner when the parking charge was issued

Also, everything goes on hold when you appeal the parking charge notice until Initial Parking decides to accept or reject it. So, you gain a little time by appealing the fine.

Do you need to provide evidence when you appeal a fine?

You’re not obliged to provide evidence when you appeal an Initial Parking fine, but it helps if you do. I suggest gathering as much proof that the parking charge should be cancelled.

I’ve listed a few things below:

• Images of the parking charge notice you received, faded road markings, payment machines out of order and where you were parked
• All receipts proving your car broke down
• The correspondence you got and sent to the operator which you would need if you decide to escalate your appeal to the Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA)
• Witness statements corroborating your story, if possible

What is a 10-minute grace period?

A private car park management company like Initial Parking should allow you a grace period before issuing a parking charge notice. But this only applies if you paid to park and you parked correctly!

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Should you ignore an Initial Parking fine?

No. Don’t ignore the parking charge notice from Initial Parking because it could land you in court! The consequences of getting a County Court Judgement (CCJ) can be far-reaching. For example, getting credit, a loan or a mortgage could be challenging (or impossible).