Should I Pay or Appeal McDonald’s Parking Fine? Quick Guide

Have you received a parking fine at McDonald’s and wondering what to do next? You have come to the right place for answers. Every month, over 32,000 people like yourself visit this site seeking guidance on fines and tickets.

In this article, you’ll learn about:

• The reasons why you might receive a parking fine at McDonald’s.
• The process of appealing a McDonald’s parking fine.
• The cost of a McDonald’s parking fine and its legal enforcement.
• The steps to take if your appeal is rejected.
• Plus, a free parking ticket appeal template to make your journey easier.

We understand that getting a parking fine can be unsettling, especially if you are unsure about whether it’s right or not. Our team has guided many people in your situation, and we’re here to help you too. We’ll guide you through your McDonald’s parking fine ordeal and unravel the mystery of McDonald’s parking fines together.

Let’s get started.

So, why would you get a McDonald’s parking fine?

You’d get a parking fine at McDonald’s if you overstay a set time limit in the car park. Unfortunately, many customers don’t realise there’s a 90-minute time limit which should be clearly visible on the entrance signage.

Mcdonald’s car parks are managed by private operators who use ANPR. The system records when a vehicle enters the car park and the time it leaves.

The problem is the technology gets it wrong. As a result, McDonald’s customers are issued tickets when they never overstay the 90-minutes allowed. Why do you ask?

Because ANPR records one entry and one exit, which happen at different times. To clarify, you entered the car park at 9 am and left 30 minutes later. Then you returned at 1 pm and left at 1.30 pm.

But the ANPR recorded the first time you entered and the second time you left! So, according to the operator, you overstayed by several hours, which is entirely false!

If you have any doubts about a McDonald’s parking fine, challenge it!

Are parking charges legally enforceable?

Parking Charge Notices issued by private operators on behalf of McDonald’s are not legally enforceable. This is because they are invoices rather than fines and fall under civil law!

That said, if the operator takes you to court and wins, the court orders you to pay. 

Should you pay a McDonald’s parking fine straight away?

No. Not without first checking that the fine was correctly issued. You should also ensure the following:

• That the details on the parking charge are correct
• That you received it no more than 14 days after the alleged parking violation

When you’re happy the parking ticket is right and the details are correct, try to pay within 14 days so you qualify for the discounted fine.

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Should you appeal a McDonald’s parking fine?

You have 28 days to appeal a McDonald’s parking fine. But the appeal must be filed with the relevant operator. Their details are found on the notice you get.

Plus, you must appeal the parking ticket in writing. So don’t forget to provide as much evidence as possible to support your appeal.

Why not use my appeal template letter, which could save you a lot of hassle?

What reasons could you use to appeal a McDonald’s parking fine?

There are several valid reasons for challenging a McDonald’s parking fine. This includes:

• The Parking Charge Notice arrived over 14 days after the alleged infringement
• You parked correctly
• The road markings and signs in the car park were not clearly visible
• You were unable to get back to your car because of an emergency
• You were broken down
• You only just ran out of the allowed time to park for free

What happens when your appeal is rejected?

It happens. Appeals against a McDonald’s parking fine get rejected. But all is not lost because you can escalate the matter to an independent appeals tribunal.

Details on how to do this should be provided in the letter of rejection the operator sends you. The Accredited Trade Association (ATA), an independent body, considers your appeal.

Importantly, when an operator is not a member of the Accredited Trade Association, they can’t access a registered keeper’s details from the DVLA. Don’t contact them until they write to you!

So, can you appeal a McDonald’s parking fine?

Yes, you can, but only if you have a valid reason and enough evidence to support the appeal. It’s worth weighing up the odds of winning an appeal against paying the parking ticket within 14 days!

Like this, you pay the discounted fine, and although incredibly annoying, it could save you a lot of time and hassle!

Thanks for taking the time to read my post on whether it’s worth appealing a McDonald’s parking fine. I hope I’ve managed to answer any questions you had and that it helps you decide what to do!

How much is a McDonald’s parking fine?

The law did reduce the amount a private operator could charge you for an alleged parking infringement. However, the government put everything on hold back in June 2022, which means operators can now charge you more than £50 for not following their ‘rules’.

So, you could be charged well over £50 and as much as £100 by an operator. But if you pay within 2 weeks, you should only pay 40% of the amount, which is still too much!