质疑停车罚款

如何对市政府或私人停车罚款提出上诉。

概述

There are two types of parking fines: penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued by councils or their contractors for on-street and council car parks, and parking charge notices issued by private parking companies. The appeal processes are different. Council PCNs are governed by statutory procedures; private charges follow the POFA 2012 and industry codes.

逐步流程

Check the details carefully

Verify the date, time, location, vehicle registration, and contravention code. Check whether signs and markings were clear and correct. Take photos of the location, signs, road markings, and your parking position if possible.

时间范围: Immediately on receiving the notice

实用提示

If any details on the PCN are wrong (e.g., incorrect registration), this may be grounds for cancellation
Check whether the restriction was actually in force at the time

Make an informal challenge (council PCN)

For council PCNs, you can make an informal challenge within 14 days to keep the 50% discount. Write to the council explaining why you believe the PCN was incorrectly issued. Common grounds: unclear signs, genuine emergency, broken pay machine, valid permit displayed.

时间范围: Within 14 days for discount

实用提示

If the informal challenge is rejected, you can still make a formal representation
The 14-day discount period is paused while an informal challenge is considered

Make a formal representation

If the informal challenge is rejected or you receive a Notice to Owner, you have 28 days to make a formal representation. Statutory grounds include: you were not the owner, the contravention did not occur, procedural defects, or mitigating circumstances.

时间范围: Within 28 days of Notice to Owner

实用提示

Keep copies of all correspondence
Include all evidence: photos, receipts, witness statements

Appeal to the tribunal

If your formal representation is rejected, you can appeal to the independent Traffic Penalty Tribunal (outside London) or London Tribunals. This is free and can be done online, by phone, or in person. The tribunal's decision is binding on the council.

时间范围: Within 28 days of rejection

实用提示

The appeal is free — there is nothing to lose by appealing
Around 50% of appeals are successful
You do not need to pay the charge while appealing

费用

Council PCN (paid within 14 days)50% discount (typically £35)

Council PCN (full)Typically £70

Tribunal appealFree

重要警告

Do not ignore a council PCN — it can be enforced as a debt through the Traffic Enforcement Centre.

For private parking charges, check whether the company is a member of the BPA or IPC. If not, the charge may be unenforceable.

Never admit liability if you intend to challenge — simply state the facts in your representations.

有用链接

Traffic Penalty Tribunal London Tribunals POPLA (private parking appeals)