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How to appeal a ticket
How to appeal a parking ticket

Parking Charge Notice Ignore – The Worst Case Scenario

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Janine
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Janine Marsh

Financial Expert

My name’s Janine, and I’m a mum of two who’s always been passionate about trying to cut down spending costs. I am now sharing as much financial knowledge as I possibly can to help your money go that little bit further.

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· Mar 2nd, 2024
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Parking Charge Notice Ignore

Have you got a Parking Charge Notice and are unsure what to do next? Don’t worry. This page is visited by over 32,000 people every month who are also looking for help on tickets and fines.

In this easy guide, you’ll learn:

  • What a Parking Charge Notice really means.
  • The steps to take if you want to appeal.
  • Who needs to pay a Parking Charge Notice.
  • How this notice might affect your credit score.
  • What to do if your appeal is turned down.

We know how it feels to get a Parking Charge Notice. It can be a bit scary and a lot confusing, but we’re here to help you. Let’s dive in and find out what you can do with your Parking Charge Notice.

Do You Have to Pay?

In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your fine.

It’s a bit sneaky, but the last time I needed legal advice, I paid £5 for a trial to chat with an online solicitor called JustAnswer.

Not only did I save £50 on solicitor feeds, I also won my case and didn’t have to pay my £271 fine.

Chat below to get started with JustAnswer

In partnership with Just Answer.

Should you ignore a parking charge notice?

No. Don’t ignore a parking charge notice you get on private land. The parking ticket may not be immediately enforceable, but an operator could take you to court.

When a judge rules in favour of the operator, that’s it. You’ll have to pay the parking ticket. Plus, in a worst-case scenario, you could get a County Court Judgement (CCJ) on your credit record.

You may have to deal with debt collectors should a private operator sell the ‘debt’. Dealing with a debt collection agency is stressful and could lead to further action against you!

In short, don’t ignore a parking charge notice you get on private land!

Will the parking charge notice affect your credit score?

No, a parking charge notice doesn’t affect your credit score, but if you get a CCJ for non-payment, it will!

Moreover, it could really impact your credit history, making it harder to borrow, get a credit card or even get a mortgage!

Who is liable for a parking charge notice?

The registered keeper is liable for a parking charge notice. An accredited operator gets your details from the DVLA. The parking charge is sent through the post. 

Successful Appeal Case Study

Situation

Initial Fine £100
Additional Fees £171
Total Fine £271

The Appeal Process

Scott used JustAnswer, online legal service to enhance his appeal. The trial of this cost him just £5.

Total Fine £271
Cost of legal advice £5

JustAnswer helped Scott craft the best appeal possible and he was able to win his case.

Scott’s fine was cancelled and he only paid £5 for the legal help.

Get started

In partnership with Just Answer.

Parking Charge Notice Vs Penalty Charge Notice

You’d get a Parking Charge Notice on private land. This is because private operators issue parking tickets on behalf of landowners. On the other hand, a penalty charge notice is issued by an authority on public land. An example is when you park illegally on a High Street.

Should you pay a parking charge notice straight away?

No. Not before you check the details on the parking charge notice. For example, are the details on the ticket yours? Was the parking charge notice issued correctly and sent to you in a set timeframe?

Only pay for the parking ticket once you’re happy all the details are right, and you deserve it! However, there is one advantage to paying a parking charge notice: you get to pay much less.

An operator could discount the amount by up to 40% when you pay within two weeks!

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

Should you appeal a parking charge notice?

Everyone has the right to appeal a parking ticket. More especially when a parking charge notice isn’t deserved. Maybe an over-zealous parking warden issued the parking ticket incorrectly? Or did a CCTV recording of a parking infringement get it wrong? It happens!

Make sure you make an appeal against a parking charge notice within the set deadline. If you miss it, you lose the right to appeal a parking ticket!

Also, gather as much proof as possible to show the parking charge notice should be cancelled!

Getting the support of a Solicitor can take a huge weight off your mind.

Get started

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What excuse could you use to appeal a parking charge notice?

There are several reasons why you could appeal a parking charge notice. This includes any of the following:

  • You tried to pay, but the Pay & Display machine was out of order
  • You broke down, and you were waiting for a tow truck to arrive
  • A medical emergency stopped you from returning to your car in time
  • The parking charge notice arrived in the post more than 14 days after the alleged parking infringement
  • You weren’t given a grace period before the parking charge was issued

What is a grace period, you ask?

Accredited car park management operators must give you a 10-minute grace period before issuing a parking charge notice. And if they don’t, the parking charge should be cancelled!

What happens when your parking charge notice appeal is rejected?

When an operator rejects your appeal against a parking charge notice, all is not lost. You have two choices:

  • Pay the parking ticket and move on with your life
  • Escalate your appeal to an independent appeals service

But to do this, an operator must be registered with an Accredited Trade Association (ATA). Plus, it’s a free service!

Hire a Parking Solicitor for less than a coffee.

If you’re thinking about appealing your parking ticket then getting some professional advice is a good idea.

Getting the support of a Solicitor can make your appeal much more likely to win.

For a £5 trial, Solicitors from JustAnswer can look at your case and help you create an airtight appeal.

 

Get started

In partnership with Just Answer.

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The authors
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Author
My name’s Janine, and I’m a mum of two who’s always been passionate about trying to cut down spending costs. I am now sharing as much financial knowledge as I possibly can to help your money go that little bit further.