VCS parking charge: how to appeal

Who Vehicle Control Services Ltd (VCS) is

• Member of the International Parking Community (IPC), so the independent appeal is to the IAS.
• Also trades as Vehicle Control.
• VCS says it works on over 1,500 sites, including universities, NHS trusts, residential developments and airports. Its site mentions a 'red route' (no stopping) on the roads at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The trade body can change, so check the name of the appeals service printed on your own notice or rejection letter.

How to appeal

1. Appeal online through MyParkingCharge, which VCS links to for appeals. Log in with the notice's serial number (VCS's start with a prefix such as VCS) and the vehicle registration. The site says appeals can't be discussed or accepted by phone.
2. Check the deadlines printed on your notice. Appeal within 14 days if you want to keep the option of paying the discounted amount, and within 28 days at the latest.
3. VCS is a member of the International Parking Community (IPC), so if it rejects your appeal, the next step is the Independent Appeals Service (IAS), not POPLA. The IAS says to appeal within 28 days of the rejection.

Appealing to the IAS is free, and Vehicle Control Services Ltd (VCS) has to accept the decision. If you were the registered keeper, you don't have to say who was driving.

Worth knowing about Vehicle Control Services Ltd (VCS)

VCS shares an address and its appeals website with Excel Parking Services.

If your charge was at an airport, check whether the land is covered by airport byelaws. If it is, the keeper-liability law doesn't apply.