Many motorists know all too well how annoying it is to receive a parking charge notice. However, an expert has revealed that some parking fines can “go straight in the bin”.
Consumer advice platform Which? has shared a video on Instagram, as reporter Lucia Ariano explains how people can challenge a parking ticket if the signs are not clear. You can also appeal the fine, she says, if the charge is more than £100, or if there is a mitigating reason such as ill health, or if your vehicle broke down.
Lucia also points out that if the parking company is not a member of an accredited trading association, such as the British Parking Association or the Independent Parking Committee, you can put the notice “straight in the bin”. She said: “[The company] won’t be able to get your details from the DVLA to make you pay.”
If the company is accredited, she advises sending an appeal letter with evidence like photos of inadequate signage and any mitigating factors. Official bodies, like councils and the police can issue parking tickets, and these will usually need to be paid.
On its website, Which? says: “If you’ve been issued with a parking ticket you think is unfair, you have the right to challenge it. Our guides and free letter tools help you appeal and provide the information you need.”
It also offers “straightforward steps to get an unfair parking charge cancelled if it’s issued by a council or private company”, as well as free sample letters for anyone who wants to appeal a parking ticket.