How to appeal a parking ticket
Find out how to appeal a parking ticket
10 December 2008
What should you do if you get a parking ticket? We explain everything you need to know about parking tickets and how to avoid them.
Public parking
Street parking law is enforced by the Police and local authorities. The fee amount will vary depending on your location.
If you fail to pay the fine within 14 days the fee will usually double – and you typically have 28 days to pay. If you fail to pay, your car may be clamped.
Your car can only be clamped if there is a clear parking notice displayed nearby. These signs need to display the local authority’s address and phone number.
You won’t get clamped if you’re a blue badge holder, but you may receive a fine. If you’re disabled and want to apply for a badge, contact your local council.
Private parking
If you park on private property such as a firm’s car park, the owner has permission to ticket you and can charge anything from £10 to more than £500 for clamp removal.
The ticket is usually a fixed price but you may be charged extra for the removal of wheel clamps. Terms and conditions have to be displayed on a nearby sign.
If you get a parking ticket on private land…
• Ask to see the parking attendant’s licence – if they don’t have one, you may want to report them to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) on 08702 430 100
• Find out the name of the person or organisation
• Ask for a receipt
Making an appeal
If you believe you’ve been ticketed unfairly, there are a number of steps you can take to appeal the fine.
What constitutes ‘unfair?’
• Civil enforcement officers (also known as ‘parking attendants’) who won’t produce valid ID or aren’t wearing their full uniform and hat
• If an officer hasn’t handed you a ticket or placed it on your vehicle
• If you think an officer has behaved in an inappropriate way
• You have abided all laws and have still been ticketed
First you should first take the matter up with the officer – ask why the ticket was issued and state why you think you were able to park where you did.
Once a ticket is issued it’s impossible for an officer to cancel it on the spot, but ask the officer to make a note of your comments.
You’ll want to gather as much evidence as you can. It’s a good idea to carry a disposable camera in your car to record your parking position as proof.
If an officer behaves inappropriately and fails to resolve your complaint, you may have a case in civil law against them. Contact your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau or Trading Standards Officer.
Write to the relevant authority as soon as possible with evidence to appeal a ticket.
Remember tickets are the responsibility of the vehicle's registered owner, not the driver, unless it’s a hire car. Hire companies may charge you an additional fee.
How to avoid getting a ticket
Avoid parking in the following areas:
• Hard shoulders on the motorway (unless during a breakdown or other emergency)
• Cycle lanes or cycle tracks
• Roads with single yellow lines by the pavement
• Roads with double yellow lines by the pavement
• Taxi ranks
• Clearways (these roads are marked by a blue circular sign with a red X in the middle)
• Roads with double white lines in the middle (unless you’re picking up or setting down passengers)
• Red lines – these represent a London red route, which has parking restrictions
• Private car parks and other private parking spaces
Restrictions may apply so check nearby signs for legal parking hours. Park at the wrong time and you could be clamped and fined.
Failure to pay-and-display in certain car parks may result in a parking ticket.
Who has permission to ticket my car?
The Police and local authorities have permission to hand out a parking ticket if you park illegally.
Many local authorities have increased the amount of parking attendants in place of police traffic wardens over the last few years.
Owners of private roads and car parks also have permission to ticket and clamp your vehicle if they have the correct license. You can ask to see this.
Buying a car
Some cars may have unpaid parking tickets registered to them, so take extra care when buying a car. Always ask the owner or dealership if they know of any outstanding fines and negotiate.
Liz Dainton from the RAC Foundation said, “Stay cautious when buying a car - check the owner’s details on the V5C registration document are the same as their bank statement or other item of post addressed to them.
“Send off your ‘change of keeper’ status to the DVLA as soon as possible.”
Scams
There have been reports of fraudulent ticket officers in operation, who illegally ticket or clamp your car before asking you to pay them.
Genuine vehicle immobilisers will have an SIA license in the form of a card, which looks similar to a driving license. The immobiliser should not refuse payment by credit or debit card and will not follow you to a bank.
Ask to see their licence – if they don’t have one, report them to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) on 08702 430 100.
Has your car been ticketed? Tell us about your parking disasters on the Auto Trader Blog
RSS