Motorist Zone
Motorist Guidance: Parking Charge
Received a Parking Charge?
This is information on parking charges. Parking charges are issued by the private parking sector on private land. Examples of this are supermarkets, hospitals and residential parking.
How you pay a parking charge depends on who issued it, and if they are accredited. You have limited time to pay or appeal; an early payment reduction is available if paid within 14 days. If you pay the parking charge, you lose your ability to appeal.
For further guidance on navigating a parking charge, we recommend visiting www.247advice.co.uk
Rogue or Accredited?
Is the parking company accredited?
Private parking companies (operator) should be a member of an Accredited Trade Association (ATA). This means the parking company (operator) must follow the sector’s Code of Practice. The Code does things like cap the amount a parking charge can be ( EG £100), mandate clear signage and ensure there is an independent appeals service.
If the operator is not accredited by the International Parking Community (IPC) or the British Parking Association (BPA) proceed with caution. Parking companies that are not accredited do not have to follow a Code of Practice, and they do not have access to DVLA data. We advise not sharing personal details with them.
Pay or Appeal?
If you feel unsure if you should pay or appeal your parking charge, we suggest you visit 247advice.co.uk this website offers information, guidance and has a chatbot that helps you decide if you should appeal.
The IPC cannot advise you on if you should appeal.
Important!
If you pay your parking charge, you lose your ability to appeal.
How long do I have to pay or appeal?
Stage 1
Up to 14 Days
You have up to 14 days from the date of issue to pay at a 40% reduction (EG: £100 down to £60). If you choose to appeal at this stage, you maintain the ability to pay at a reduced rate should you lose your appeal. You should allow time for postage if you use that method.
NOTE: If you appeal at this stage, you have the ability to pay at the reduced amount for a further 14 days
Stage 2
15 Days up to 28 Days
On day 15 the full amount of the parking charge is due. If you wish to appeal, you should do this within 28 days from the date of issue.
Stage 3
29+ Days
If the parking charge remains outstanding up to this point, it will likely be sent to a company to recover the parking charge. This company may add an “Escalation Fee” of up to £70 to the total. At this stage, you no longer have the ability to appeal.
In Summary
As soon as the parking charge is issued you have:
14
Days
to pay and appeal at the reduced rate
28
Days
to pay at the full rate or appeal
Day
29+
an “Escalation Fee” of up to £70 is added to
the total.
What next?
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Motorist Zone
Motorist Guidance: Parking Charge
What Next?
Motorist Zone
HOME
Guidance for motorists
Parking Charge Guidance
Received a parking charge?
Motorist
Appeal
How to appeal
File a
Complaint
How to file a complaint
This is information on parking charges. Parking charges are issued by the private parking sector on private land. Examples of this are supermarkets, hospitals and residential parking.
How you pay a parking charge depends on who issued it, and if they are accredited. You have limited time to pay or appeal; an early payment reduction is available if paid within 14 days. If you pay the parking charge, you lose your ability to appeal.
Received a Parking Charge?
For further guidance on navigating a parking charge, we recommend visiting www.247advice.co.uk
Private parking companies (operator) should be a member of an Accredited Trade Association (ATA). This means the parking company (operator) must follow the sector’s Code of Practice. The Code does things like cap the amount a parking charge can be ( EG £100), mandate clear signage and ensure there is an independent appeals service.
If the operator is not accredited by the International Parking Community (IPC) or the British Parking Association (BPA) proceed with caution. Parking companies that are not accredited do not have to follow a Code of Practice, and they do not have access to DVLA data. We advise not sharing personal details with them.
Rogue or Accredited?
Is the parking company accredited?
Important!
If you pay your parking charge, you lose your ability to appeal.
Pay or Appeal?
If you feel unsure if you should pay or appeal your parking charge, we suggest you visit 247advice.co.uk this website offers information, guidance and has a chatbot that helps you decide if you should appeal.
The IPC cannot advise you on if you should appeal.
How long do I have to pay or appeal?
Stage 1
Up to 14 Days
You have up to 14 days from the date of issue to pay at a 40% reduction (EG: £100 down to £60). If you choose to appeal at this stage, you maintain the ability to pay at a reduced rate should you lose your appeal. You should allow time for postage if you use that method.
NOTE: If you appeal at this stage, you have the ability to pay at the reduced amount for a further 14 days
Stage 2
15 Days up to 28 Days
On day 15 the full amount of the parking charge is due. If you wish to appeal, you should do this within 28 days from the date of issue.
29+ Days
Stage 3
If the parking charge remains outstanding up to this point, it will likely be sent to a company to recover the parking charge. This company may add an “Escalation Fee” of up to £70 to the total. At this stage, you no longer have the ability to appeal.
In Summary
As soon as the parking charge is issued you have:
14
Days
to pay and
appeal at the
reduced rate
28
Days
to pay at the full
rate or appeal
Day
29+
an “Escalation Fee” of up to £70 is added to
the total.
What if?
You think the parking charge was issued in error, you had mitigating circumstances, the payment machine was broken, you didn’t receive the parking charge, you sold the vehicle?