Should I Pay or Appeal my Cardiff Council Parking Fine?

Got a parking fine from Cardiff Council and are unsure about what to do next? You’re not alone. This site offers guidance to more than 32,000 people each month who are also dealing with tickets and fines. The good news is that we can help you understand your options.

In this easy-to-understand guide, you’ll learn:

• What a Cardiff parking fine is and why you might get one.
• The steps to appeal your fine and possibly win.
• How a penalty charge notice (PCN) is different from a parking charge notice.
• The cost of a Cardiff parking fine and how long you have to pay.
• What to do if you disagree with the Cardiff PCN and how to handle a rejection.

We understand your worries about paying a fine that might not be fair, as we’ve dealt with similar situations in the past. So sit back, take a deep breath, and find out how you can handle your Cardiff Council parking fine.

How do I pay my parking fine?

The easiest way to pay parking fines Cardiff Council is online with a credit or debit card. You must submit the PCN number as well as your vehicle registration information. If you do not have these details, you will need to contact the Cardiff Council parking fine email or through their online form.

The following information may help you:

How much is a Cardiff parking fine?

The amount could be £50 or £70 as it depends on the seriousness of the offence. If you pay within the first 14 days, your fine will be reduced by 50%, but if you ignore the PCN and let it go past the deadline, you can expect to pay a lot more!

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

How long do I have to pay a parking fine to Cardiff City Council?

The fine must be paid within 28 days of receiving it. If you want to appeal the fine, do not pay it, as this is classed as admitting liability. 

If you pay and subsequently decide to appeal the PCN, the council is under no duty to take your appeal on board. 

What if I disagree with the Cardiff PCN?

You must send a letter stating your reasons for your Cardiff council parking fine appeal This involves offering a compelling reason to support your plea. You will also be required to supply evidence, as well as the Cardiff Gov PCN site code and your vehicle registration details.

The appeal must be lodged within 28 days of receiving a parking ticket from Cardiff Council. If you wait any longer, you will lose your right to appeal a PCN.

What are some of the grounds for appeal?

There is a list of official grounds for Cardiff Council parking fine payment appeals, or the independent body if you go that route. These are the reasons why a ticket may be deemed unjust.

• The signs were incorrect. Most people fell into this category, for example, if the sign provided incorrect information or was not visible.

• The traffic warden or the council were incorrect. This is for when they should not have handed you a ticket, such as when your blue badge was shown.

• The fine has already been paid. The fine should not have increased if you paid on time. Gather proof that you paid, or attempted to pay, such as bank statements, and receipts.

• On the ticket or letter, the council made a mistake. This is applicable when they fail to include all needed information, such as on tickets or ‘Notice to Owner’ letters. 

• The traffic laws are incorrect. For example, it could have installed a new limitation, such as a yellow line, without following the ‘Traffic Regulation Order‘ processes. Orders can be checked with the Traffic Penalty Tribunal or your local council.

• At the time, you did not own the vehicle. You’ll need to produce your log book or dealer/showroom receipt that you weren’t the owner at the time. If you sold it before the ticket, attach copies of the sale receipt and proof that you notified the DVLA.

• They falsely stated that the warden was prevented from issuing a ticket. They cannot chose to send a ticket via post if they had the opportunity to put one on a vehicle.

• Your vehicle was stolen. If the thief parks unlawfully, you can get the ticket waived if you can show it was stolen, such as by reporting it to the police.

Both the council and independent appeal body will consider mitigating circumstances, such as recent bereavement or family emergency, although these are more subjective. If you appeal on official grounds, such as the ones listed above, as long as you have supporting evidence, you have a good case. It is not so cut and dried for mitigating circumstances – it can be at the discretion of the authority. 

Join thousands of others who got legal help for a £5 trial

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

Get started

Reviews shown are for JustAnswer.

What do I do if my appeal is rejected?

If the council rejects your appeal, you can take it to the next level. The authority must instruct you on how to proceed. The council will send you a Notice to Owner (NtO), which will allow you to launch a formal appeal known as a representation.

An independent panel considers your appeal and decides whether or not you must pay.

It is important to keep in mind that if you make a representation, you forfeit your right to pay the lower sum, so only do it if you are sure you have a good case and evidence to back it up. 

Can I ignore my parking fine from Cardiff City Council?

If you get a council PCN on your windscreen or in the post, don’t disregard it. When you believe the fine is unfair, you should either challenge it or pay it soon and pay less.

The penalty is increased by 50% if you fail to pay. In short, if you miss the 28-day limit, you’ll have to pay twice as much. The fine is ‘actioned’ through a Charge Certificate.

After this, you have 14 days to pay the higher amount.

When you do not pay the higher amount within 14 days of receiving the Charge Certificate, things become more expensive.

The council will more than likely have a court order levied against you. If you do not pay, a bailiff may pay you a visit you. They could then come to your house to collect the overdue bill or take possession of some of your personal belongings, including your car. As well as the stress and inconvenience this will cause, they will also add on their own fees, making it even more expensive. 

Source

REFERENCES

1. Legislation.gov.uk (1988) Road Traffic Act 1988. Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/contents [Accessed 5 September 2023].
2. Citizens Advice (2021) Parking tickets on private land. Available at:  https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/parking-tickets/ [Accessed 5 September 2023].
3. Cardiff Council (2022) Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) Costs. Available at: https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ [Accessed 5 September 2023]
4. Traffic Penalty Tribunal (2020) Traffic Regulation Orders. Available at: https://www.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk/ [Accessed 5 September 2023].