There’s nothing worse than having a really successful Christmas shopping trip to return to your car and find a parking ticket. Well, consider your wish come true, because by the end of this article you'll know what to do when you first see a parking ticket, if you’re eligible to appeal the charge, and if so, the steps to appeal it. Finally, we’ve also included some template emails you can send at different stages of the process to save you time and hassle.
It is first worth noting that this article considers only unfair parking tickets. We are aware that parking laws are in place for a reason, and unfortunately, if you were popping somewhere to get change for the metre, disagree with parking regulations or overstayed your time, you will need to pay the fine. However, there are many instances where a PCN can be successfully disputed if the circumstances are eligible.
What’s more, if you skip to the bottom of the article, we’ll show you how using JustPark can help you avoid getting a fine in future!
What to do if you receive an unfair parking ticket
1) Never pay a fine if you plan on appealing it
By paying the fine you are admitting liability. However, this is not to say you should ignore it either - as the charge will go up after 14 days for a paper ticket, or 21 days for an in-the-post ticket. The only exception to this rule is if your vehicle is clamped or towed, as you will need to pay the fine to retrieve your car. You can appeal afterward in these instances.
It is also worth noting that you cannot be taken to court whilst informally appealing your parking ticket, therefore your credit score will not be affected during the process. It will only matter if you lose your appeal and still don’t pay the fine within the allotted time.
2) Gather up as much information and evidence as possible to prove that the fine was wrongfully given
It is best if this information is gathered as recent to the issuing of the ticket as possible, so that you can properly reflect the situation. If you’re standing by your car now then it's best to take photo evidence of a valid parking ticket, or any unclear signs, bay markings, or lines. Most importantly, anything which could make your case stronger. However, if it is now after the incident, you can still collect more info. It was only in recent weeks a man managed to claim back on a parking ticket after proving that the signs were 6cm too small for the requirement!
Alongside photos, it’s good to combine every correspondence that you’ve been sent from the ticket issuer, and copies of emails / information that you have sent off. Furthermore, if you’re still at the scene and can get any witness statements from people who will confirm your story, this is also very useful within the appealing process, along with proof of mitigating circumstances.
If you have received your ticket through the post, the process for collecting information is slightly different. This is because the offence could have happened days before. It is also worth noting that you cannot appeal these tickets informally, although you do have 21 days in which to appeal them.
Grounds for appealing a parking ticket
There are reasons that a ticket can be labelled as unfair. These are split into either official grounds or mitigating circumstances. If you appeal on official grounds, so long as you can prove it, the appeal should go through. However, if you are appealing on mitigating circumstances, it is far less certain.
Mitigating circumstances include:
- Bereavement
- Your car was broken down
- Tending to an emergency or clearing an obstruction in the road
- Dropping off an ill patient at the hospital
- You couldn’t get back to your car because you are either disabled, pregnant, or have a very young baby
Official grounds include:
- Wrong signage / the info was not visible
- Traffic warden / council made an error
- You’ve already paid the fine
- The council did not give you the ticket within 14 days of the offence
- The council made an error on the ticket
- You had sold the car before the offence occurred
- Your car was stolen
- You have been overcharged
How to make an appeal
If you received a paper ticket, you are able to make an informal appeal. This is useful as you can make this appeal and if it does not get accepted you can still pay the fine within the 14 day cut off to get the ticket at a cheaper rate. However, if you received a ticket in the post, you are only able to make a formal appeal. These take longer to process and so you may end up paying more if you lose.
Making an informal appeal:
- You should send a letter or email appealing the ticket
- Along with this you need to submit all the evidence that you have gathered, so that you have the best chance of winning the case
If your appeal gets rejected at this stage, you can either accept the fine at 50% of the cost, or you can continue appealing, going through the formal process.
Making a formal appeal:
- You will need to fill in the required form with all the information
- Resend all the proof that you sent in the informal appeal - as it is likely that someone new is looking at the case
- It is worth noting that the council has up to 56 days to respond to your appeal
Finally, if your appeal is still rejected - although 56% of people win at this stage - you can go to an informal adjudicator. Going to an informal adjudication will not increase your fine, but you may incur costs if your claim is seen as wasteful and unnecessary.
Going to an informal adjudicator:
- Again you will need to send across all the proof that you have gathered so that the adjudicator has all the necessary information
- Often this process is completed over email or phone, and so there is no need to go to court for this
Templates for emails you can send in your appeals process
Informal Appeal
Subject line: R.E. Parking Ticket: 12345567766
To Whom it may concern,
I was issued a parking ticket at Birch Road shopping centre on the 8th of December 2023. My car had been parked there between 12:15pm-3:23pm and I had been charged £60.
I believe that this ticket was issued unfairly, and so I do not believe that I should pay it because the signage informed me that I could park at the shopping centre for free for up to 4 hours.
I have enclosed the following evidence of the signage to support my claim. It was taken on the day the ticket was issued and shows that I was able to park there for 4 hours without a charge.
I look forward to hearing back from you in regard to this matter.
Kind Regards,
Jenny
Formal Appeal
Subject line: R.E. Parking Ticket: 12345567766
To Whom it may concern,
I’m writing to make a formal appeal to a parking ticket I was issued on the 8th of December 2023. This letter is in addition to the completed appeals form which is attached below. I received the ticket at Birch Road shopping centre, my car had been parked there between 12:15pm-3:23pm and I had been charged £60.
I believe that this ticket was issued unfairly, as the signage informed me that I could park at the shopping centre for free for up to 4 hours.
Along with the completed appeals form, I have also enclosed photo evidence of the signage to support my claim. It was taken on the day the ticket was issued and shows that I was able to park there for 4 hours without a charge.
I look forward to hearing back from you in regard to this matter and for the ticket to be cancelled.
Kind Regards,
Jenny
Informal Adjudication
Subject line: R.E. Parking Ticket: 12345567766
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I’m writing to submit adjudication on my formal appeal in regard to the above parking ticket, issued on the 8th of December 2023 at Birch Road shopping centre. I have attached my appeals form for your consideration.
I believe that this ticket was issued unfairly, as the signage informed me that I could park at the shopping centre for free for up to 4 hours.
Along with the completed appeals form, I have also enclosed photo evidence of the signage to support my claim. It was taken on the day the ticket was issued and shows that I was able to park there for 4 hours without a charge.
I look forward to hearing back from you in regard to this matter and for the ticket to be cancelled.
Kind Regards,
Jenny
How to avoid parking fines going forward
Hopefully, once all these steps are completed you will have had your unfair fine waived without too much of a headache. However, JustPark is here to help you avoid getting fines in the first instance. Our secure parking guarantees that you are parked in a space for as long as you need. With many of our parking options, you are also able to come-and-go from the space as you like; but it is worth checking this on your booking confirmation first.
JustPark will also text you before your parking is due to run out, therefore if you find yourself caught up finding the best socks for Auntie Gloria, you are reminded of your parking and able to extend your booking in app. Enabling you to relax and enjoy shopping, knowing you can avoid receiving a fine.
And while definitely entertaining, I don't know if we would recommend taking Joe Lycett's approach to disputing a fine...
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