Myth about sneaky cost in personal automotive parks that result in big charges for Brit drivers
Parking Charge Notice or PCN can have serious consequences and upon receiving one it’s crucial to first assess if the ticket was warranted and whether you were in clear violation of the rules
Believing in a common parking myth could land drivers in trouble, with potential legal fees and even being hauled before a court. When parking in a private car park, you may find yourself given a ticket demanding payment for breaking the rules.
It’s crucial to know that there are three types of parking tickets that could affect you: a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and a Parking Charge Notice (PCN). Despite sharing the same acronym as a Penalty Charge Notice, a Parking Charge Notice is the only type of ‘fine’ issued by a private company for not adhering to their rules while on their property.
It’s key to remember that technically these aren’t fines, but rather invoices for a breach of contract. This can lead people to wrongly believe they can avoid legal repercussions by simply ignoring the parking notice.
However, private companies have the right to take individuals to small claims court over unpaid parking notices, which could result in you shelling out far more than if you’d paid the notice when it first arrived, particularly if an early payment discount was offered.
What to do if you receive a private parking ticket
Upon receiving a Parking Charge Notice, it’s crucial to first assess if the ticket was warranted and whether you were in clear violation of the rules. You might also want to consider if there were any reasons why the rules weren’t clearly communicated to you or if breaking the rules was unavoidable, such as unclear signage in the car park or all ticket machines in the vicinity being out of order.
If you decide to contest the ticket, make sure to gather evidence like photographs or witness statements that could support your case. After this, reach out to the issuer of the ticket and express your disagreement with the alleged contract breach.
Next, verify if the company is a member of a trade body like the British Parking Association (BPA), which would have its own formal appeal process. If the private firm that issued the ticket isn’t affiliated with any trade body, it might be wise to seek legal counsel, particularly if you’re adamant about disregarding the ticket.
If your appeal gets turned down, you can apply to the Parking on Private Lands Appeal (POPLA) scheme. This is a complimentary and impartial appeals service that will review evidence from both parties before making a decision.
