Should I Pay or Appeal my NCP Pay Later Parking Fines?

Did you get a parking fine from NCP Pay Later? It can be tricky to know what to do next. This guide is here to help.

Each month, over 32,000 people visit our site for advice on tickets and fines. You’re not alone.

We’re here to help you understand:

•  What NCP Pay Later parking fines are
•  How to appeal if you think it’s not fair
•  What happens if you don’t pay on time
•  The way to pay NCP after you leave the car park
•  How to avoid more fines in the future

We know it can be worrying to get a fine; some of us have been in your shoes. With our expertise, we’ll help you figure out the best thing to do.

How do I pay NCP once I have exited the car park?

The NCP website has a Pay Later online option. This payment method is available if the following conditions are met: 

• You exited the car park less than 24 hours ago
• You have yet to pay the NCP parking fees.
• You parked in an ANPR ticketless car park.

NCP cameras will catch your vehicle registration as you exit the parking lot, so while they don’t have your information, they do have your car’s information. They can then get in touch with you by obtaining the details of the registered keeper from DVLA. 

Will I be reminded to pay by NCP?

Unfortunately, if you use the NCP Pay Later option or neglect to pay, NCP will not remind you to pay for parking. If you do not pay your NCP parking charges within 24 hours, NCP will issue you a Parking Charge Notice. 

If you’re wondering how to avoid future NCP penalties, the best method, in my opinion, is to avoid forgetting to pay in the first place.  You could set an alarm or reminder on your phone to help remind you to pay.

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I’ve not paid – what next?

Anyone who fails to pay the requisite parking ticket in an NCP car park will be issued a Parking Charge Notice.

NCP employees may stick the fee to your windscreen, or it may be posted to you if the violation is caught on camera. 

These private parking charges are not the same as police Fixed Penalty Notices or similar-sounding Penalty Charge Notices issued by local authorities.

As a result, an NCP parking diner should not be treated the same way.

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How can I find out whether my fine is genuine?

Scam emails are sent to motorists mimicking the NCP. In my experience, recognising NCP fraud is not always easy; a phoney NCP PCN may have the same logo and some of the same wording as the website, but watch out for poor grammar and email addresses that do not appear authentic.

NCP never sends the first Parking Charge Notice by email. 

Contact the NCP if you believe you have received a fake NCP email about a PCN. 

What will NCP do if I don’t pay?

If you ignore your Parking Charge Notice, the following may occur: 

• NCP does not send reminders for forgotten tickets, but they may send parking charge notice reminders).
• NCP may charge additional costs.
• NCP may file a lawsuit for underpaid PCN.
• Debt collection agencies may be involved.
• You could be lucky and not have any comeback

If NCP threatens you with legal action and follows through, a judge may rule in their favour. If the court rules in favour of NCP, you will be forced to pay the PCN as well as other fees. 

Appealing my NCP Pay Later Parking Fine

If you disagree with your parking fine, you can launch an appeal.

You must have evidence to support your claim, and good reasons for appealing, such as the NCP pay later not working. 

If you win your NCP appeal, the parking fine will be revoked and you will not be required to pay. 

Good justifications for NCP appeals

There are several valid reasons to appeal a parking ticket.

One of them is referred to as the grace period. Private car parking firms are meant to provide you a ten-minute grace period to go to your car and exit the car parking facility.

If the operator issues the fine within this time frame, you may be able to get it removed.

How do I appeal?

On their website, you can begin the NCP appeals process. You will be given the choice of paying or appealing using your vehicle registration and PCN reference number. 

If you believe you have a valid cause not to pay your NCP Parking Charge Notice, you may file an appeal. You may be required to provide proof supporting your refusal to pay the NCP PCN as part of your appeal. 

NCP tries to respond to your appeal within 28 days of receiving it. Your notice will be held until a response is received.

If your appeal is successful and NCP agrees that you do not have to pay, you will be notified via letter or email. NCP does not respond to appeals over the phone. 

If you have not heard from them within 28 days, you should contact them at [email protected].

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NCP have rejected my appeal. What do I do next?

NCP appeals can be escalated to an unbiased independent appeals body. If your NCP appeal is denied, you may approach the Parking On Private Land Appeals (POPLA). 

The Parking On Private Land Appeals gives information on the process on their website. They provide their services for free to people who wish to appeal a Parking Charge Notice. 

Can I pay my NCP pay later parking fine in instalments?

In most cases, you will not be able to pay for your PCN in instalments. However, if you are having financial difficulties, you should contact them and discuss the possibilities of a payment plan. They may be willing to work with you to ensure the fine gets paid. 

Getting in touch with NCP

You can contact NCP Customer Service if you need more information about paying your fine or making a payment for parking.

NCP Contact Details