How to appeal a private parking charge

First, check who sent it

A private parking charge comes from a company, usually at a supermarket, retail park, hospital or private car park. It's a request for payment under a contract, not a fine.

A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) from a council or TfL is different. Those follow their own rules, and you appeal to the council.

Stage 1: appeal to the parking company

You usually have 28 days to appeal to the company that issued the notice. To be safe, count from the date printed on the notice, not the day it arrived. Use their online form or email, keep a copy, and attach your evidence.

If you were the registered keeper, you don't have to say who was driving. Appeals written as the keeper are often stronger, because some grounds only work for the keeper.

What about the discount?

Most charges are reduced by at least 40% if you pay within 14 days. If you appeal within 28 days and they reject it, the industry code says you can still pay the reduced amount for 14 days after the rejection. So appealing doesn't usually cost you the discount.

Stage 2: the independent appeal

If the company rejects your appeal, its letter tells you which independent service to use and gives you a code. POPLA handles members of the British Parking Association. The IAS handles members of the International Parking Community. You usually have 28 days from the rejection.

Both are free for you, and the parking company has to accept the decision. You don't have to accept it if it goes against you, but most people who lose at this stage pay.

Evidence that helps

• Photos of the signs, especially if they're missing, hidden, faded or have small print.
• Your payment receipt or the app's record of payment.
• A receipt from the shop or venue you were visiting.
• Proof of a breakdown, medical problem or broken payment machine.
• The notice itself, including the date it was issued and when it arrived.