Do I have to pay a parking charge notice? Maybe not…
Have you received a parking charge notice? Don’t be anxious. Each month, more than 32,000 people come to this site for guidance on tickets and fines. It can seem scary, but you don’t need to worry.
In this easy-to-read article, we’ll help you understand:
- What a parking charge notice is and why you might get one.
- How to make an appeal and maybe beat your ticket.
- If you must pay the parking charge notice straight away.
- What happens if you don’t pay the parking charge notice.
- Where to get more help if you need it.
Our team understands how it feels to get a parking charge notice, and we’re here to help you. So, take a breath, and read on to learn how to deal 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.
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In partnership with Just Answer.
Why would you get a parking charge notice?
You’d get a Parking Charge Notice when you don’t follow an operator’s rules when using a private car park. So, for example, you’ll get a ticket if you park your car in a Tesco car park and overstay the permitted free time.
Other reasons include:
- You parked in a disabled bay but didn’t have the proper badge
- You left your car in a bay designated for families with children
- You parked overnight, which is not allowed in many private car parks
- You didn’t pay a fee to use a car park
A private operator is authorised to issue you with a parking ticket by a landowner. Whether you’re handed the ticket, it’s left in your car or sent to you via the post!
Is a parking charge notice enforceable?
No. Not unless a court orders you to pay the parking ticket once the operator wins the case. An operator or landowner can’t legally demand payment from you. They can only tell you their intentions to take you to court over an unpaid parking ticket.
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.
Should you pay a parking charge notice immediately?
There are certain advantages to paying a parking charge notice as soon as possible. First, you don’t worry about being taken to court. Second, paying a parking ticket in a private car park pays 40% less than the original amount.
What excuses can you use to appeal a parking charge notice?
An operator must consider an appeal against a parking charge notice providing you have a good reason to challenge it. So, what excuses could you use? I’ve listed a few below:
- You didn’t park badly
- You paid the fee to use the car park
- You didn’t overstay the allotted free time to park
- You weren’t given a grace period before the ticket was issued
- The signs in the car park were unclear or missing altogether
- Payment machines were out of order, and there was no other way to pay
- You were broken down and waiting for a vehicle recovery truck to arrive
- You couldn’t get back to your car because of a medical emergency
Of course, you’ll need to provide evidence to support an excuse for having a parking charge notice cancelled. However, even with proof, an operator could reject your appeal.
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What happens if the operator rejects your appeal?
You’ll get a letter of rejection from the operator. The letter should contain information on how to proceed, whether you want to pay or take the matter further. The operator must tell you how to appeal to an independent appeals service.
It’s a free service that stops the operator from taking the matter further until a decision is made. The downside is that you’ll have to pay the full amount if the independent appeals service sides with an operator!
Plus, it’s the end of the line as far as appeals go.
What is the grace period for a parking ticket?
There’s a 10-minute mandatory grace period that private operators must allow before issuing a parking ticket. But your car must be parked correctly for the grace period to apply.
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How do you appeal a parking charge notice?
Information on how to appeal should be on the parking charge notice. For example, whether you get the parking charge through the post, find it on your car, or are handed it by a parking attendant.
Make a note of the time limit to appeal the parking ticket. But first, make sure all the details are correct. Then try to file your appeal with the issuer as soon as possible. It puts everything on hold until an operator accepts or rejects your appeal.
What happens when you fail to pay a parking charge notice?
The issuer can chase you for the payment. First, you’ll get payment reminders. Then an operator could threaten you with legal action. Finally, a debt collector could be instructed to recover the unpaid amount.
There’s never any guarantee that an operator won’t start legal proceedings when you don’t pay. It’s a risky decision which could ruin your credit history when a CCJ is registered against you!
Why? Because what was initially a parking ticket becomes a debt when you fail to pay!
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.
