Are Lidl Car Parking Fines Enforceable?

Did you get a parking ticket from Lidl? Are you worried about paying a fine you might not have to? Or maybe you’re unsure about what happens if you ignore it. We know this can be confusing. But don’t worry, you’re in the right place. Each month, over 32,000 people come here for advice on tickets and fines.

In this easy-to-read article, we’ll help you:

• Understand why you might get a parking ticket at Lidl.
• Learn how to avoid paying for parking at Lidl.
• Find out if Lidl’s parking fines are legal.
• Decide whether to pay or appeal a Lidl parking ticket.
• Learn what happens if you ignore a Lidl parking ticket.

Our team is very good at guiding people in sorting out tickets and fines. We understand your worry and are here to help. Let’s work this out together.

Do Lidl charge for using their car parks?

Some Lidl outlets don’t charge for using their car parks whereas others do. It depends on where the store is located. For instance, you’ll have to pay after a certain amount of time if the store is in a busy, bustling town. But the car park is usually free to use in quieter locations.

A few years ago, a new check-in system was introduced at some Lidl locations. The system requires you to enter your vehicle registration number or scan a shopping receipt. This allows you to use the car park.

It’s a type of ‘check-in’ that allows you to park for a specific amount of time free of charge.

How much is a Lidl parking charge notice?

New legislation came into effect at the beginning of 2022 (February), meaning private operators could only charge £50. This was instead of the £100 operators could previously charge motorists.

Unfortunately, the UK Government temporarily withdrew the implementation of the newer charge in June 2022! So, what does this mean, I hear you ask?

It means that private operators can charge you more than £50 for an alleged parking infringement!

Now, are Lidl parking tickets legally enforceable?

Parking tickets you get on private land are not covered by the law. Therefore an operator cannot legally demand payment from you. Not without a court order, that is.

It means the operator must take you to court and win the case for the parking charge notice to be enforced! So, the answer to the question is a Lidl parking ticket enforceable is no, not initially.

But it becomes enforceable when a court orders you to pay. Plus there’ll be extra costs too!

It’s worth noting that parking charge notices are invoices and not parking fines!

Should you pay or appeal a Lidl parking ticket?

Whether you pay a Lidl parking ticket or challenge the fine depends on several things. Ask yourself:

• Is the parking ticket justified?
• Was it issued correctly according to the code of practice?
• Did the parking ticket arrive through the post no later than 14 days after the alleged infringement?
• Were you allowed a grace period before the ticket was issued?

You could challenge the Lidl parking ticket you get if any or all of the above apply to your case!

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What is a ‘grace period’ that operators should give you?

Private operators must allow a ‘grace period’ of 10 minutes when you return to their car. The parking ticket should not be issued until the 10 minutes are up!

The parking ticket should be cancelled if you weren’t given the grace period!

The 10-minute grace period only applies if you park correctly!

So, how do you appeal a Lidl parking ticket?

The operator who manages the Lidl car park should provide details on how to appeal the parking ticket on the notice they issue. You should follow the correct procedure by writing to the private management company providing your reasons for appealing the parking ticket.

Make sure you can provide supporting evidence!

Why not check out my appeal letter template, which is free to use and could save you time and money?

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Should you pay a Lidl parking ticket straight away?

No. Not before checking things out. For instance, you should first check the following before paying a Lidl parking ticket:

• Did you commit a parking infringement?
• Are the details correct on the parking ticket?
• Did you get the parking ticket through the post more than 14 days after the alleged parking infringement?
• Were you allowed the grace period?
• Were the signs and road markings in the car park clearly visible?

Only pay the parking ticket once you’re happy it was issued correctly, and you deserve the fine! Plus, if you pay the ticket within 14 days, you should only pay half the amount!

But you have 28 days to pay for a Lidl parking ticket issued by a private operator. After that, it just means you’ll pay the full amount!

Can you ignore a Lidl parking ticket?

No. Don’t ignore a Lidl parking ticket because things get messy if the operator takes you to court and wins. And expensive. Not only moneywise, but it will also negatively impact your credit rating if you get a CCJ!

You should either pay the fine within 2 weeks, so you pay less. Or challenge the parking ticket by filing an appeal making sure you have enough supporting evidence!

Thanks for reading my post. I hope I’ve answered the question: are Lidl car parking fines enforceable, and you are now armed with enough info to challenge or pay up?