Parking Fines Loopholes – My Appeal Strategy
Have you got a parking fine that you’re thinking of challenging? This guide is here to help you. Every month, over 32,000 people visit this site to get advice on parking fines and tickets. We know it can be a bit scary to get a parking fine, but don’t worry- we understand what you’re going through and we’re here to help.
In this guide, we’ll show you:
- Why you might get a parking ticket.
- How much a penalty charge notice or parking charge notice could cost.
- How you could beat your ticket.
- The loopholes that might help you get out of paying a parking fine.
- The time limit for appealing a parking fine.
This guide is packed with helpful advice from our team, who have lots of experience in dealing with parking fines. So, take a deep breath and read on. We’re here to help you understand your parking fine and what you can do about it.
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.
Why would you get a parking ticket?
You’d get a parking ticket for parking illegally or not paying to park. But you could also get fined for other minor driving and parking infringements. Moreover, you could get a parking fine in a private or public place.
I’ve emphasised ‘private’ and ‘public’ places because the fines differ. For instance, a ticket issued on private land is an invoice referred to as a parking charge notice.
In short, a parking charge notice is a civil matter between you and an operator who manages parking for private landowners—for example, Tesco.
The operator must win a court case to get you to pay.
On the other hand, a ticket issued on public land is a fine. It’s a penalty charge notice that’s covered by UK law.
An authority issues a penalty charge notice, whether a local council, police, Transport or Highways Agency.
The issuing body doesn’t have to take you to court to get paid.
So, what are the parking fines loopholes?
The only real way of getting out of paying a parking fine is to have a valid excuse.
That said, I’ve listed a few ‘loopholes’ for you to consider below:
- Check if the parking fine you got was issued before the 10-minute grace period was up. A grace period is a time you should be allowed before a ticket is issued when you return to your car later than you should. However, it only applies if you were parked legally or correctly!
- Check when you were served the parking ticket. There are time limits that operators and authorities must respect when issuing a parking ticket. The ticket should be cancelled when a parking fine isn’t issued within a set timeframe!
- Do you have a blue badge? Then you’re allowed to park in places other motorists cannot. Providing you respected a time limit!
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.
In partnership with Just Answer.
What excuses could get you out of paying a parking fine?
Apart from parking fines loopholes, you might want to consider valid reasons that could get you out of paying.
Below are just some excuses you could use:
- Signage and road markings were unclear or missing altogether
- Parking meter or Pay & Display machines were out of order
- You parked correctly
- You were broken down and waiting for a recovery truck to arrive
- You entered the wrong registration number by mistake
When a private operator, a council or other authority accepts the reasons you don’t want to pay, the fine is cancelled!
» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer
What’s the time limit to appealing a parking fine?
You must appeal a parking fine within a deadline. This is typically 28 days but could differ depending on:
- How the parking fine is issued
- Who issued the parking fine (council, police, Highways/Transport Agency, or private operator)
So, check who issued the parking fine and how it was issued to ensure you don’t miss the deadline. If the time limit passes, you’ve lost the right to challenge a parking fine!
Should you pay or appeal a parking fine?
Whether you pay or appeal a parking fine depends on whether you have grounds to challenge the ticket. Plus, if you have a valid reason, the issuer must consider the challenge within an acceptable time.
It’s also worth considering paying the parking fine early, so you pay a discounted amount.
But only pay when you’re happy you deserve the parking ticket.
Never ignore a parking fine, whether it’s a penalty charge notice or a parking charge notice. Things get more expensive when you do and could ruin your credit history!
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.
In partnership with Just Answer.
