Parking ticket? Don't pay it yet.

Private "parking charge notices" and council "penalty charge notices" follow different rules. Find which you have, then challenge it properly. Free, and nothing you type leaves your browser.

Rules are changing for private tickets. A new government Private Parking Code of Practice for England, Scotland and Wales was laid in Parliament on 20 October 2026. It is not yet in force: it faces 40 days of scrutiny and then comes into force 21 days after it is issued. Until then, follow the rules and deadlines on your ticket, and check GOV.UK for updates.

Scam alert: GOV.UK warns that text messages claiming to be from the Department for Transport about unpaid parking fines are scams. Do not click links in them. Check the ticket you actually received.

Private ticket or council ticket?

Private parking charge notice compared with council penalty charge notice
	Private parking charge notice	Council penalty charge notice (PCN)
Who issues it	A company running a private car park, such as a retail park, supermarket or hospital.	A local council, Transport for London, Dart Charge or (in Northern Ireland) the Department for Infrastructure.
What it is	A charge for breaking the car park's terms. It is not a fine.	A penalty set under traffic law.
First step	Challenge it with the operator. Check the ticket for its deadline.	Challenge informally if it was left on the car, or make a formal "representation" if you got a notice to owner. In England and Wales you usually have 28 days.
If rejected	Appeal to POPLA (if the operator belongs to the British Parking Association) or the IAS (if it belongs to the International Parking Community). You usually have 28 days from the operator's rejection, so check your letter.	You get 28 days from the notice of rejection to pay or appeal to an independent tribunal: the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (England outside London, and Wales) or London Tribunals (London).
Discount	Often shown on the ticket. Check its terms.	In England and Wales you may only have to pay 50% if you challenge within 14 days and are rejected (GOV.UK).

Other tickets exist too: fixed penalty notices (police, council or DVSA) are challenged at a magistrates' court, and some councils issue standard or excess charge notices. Check the back of your ticket. Source: GOV.UK, challenging a ticket, checked 26 October 2026.

Free download: parking ticket appeal pack (PDF, 7 pages)

Which ticket do I have?

Differences across the UK

England and Wales: GOV.UK's council challenge service is for England and Wales. You usually have 28 days, and 14 days to qualify for the 50% rule.
Scotland: GOV.UK says paying and challenging parking tickets is different in Scotland. Check your ticket and the Citizens Advice Scotland guide.
Tribunals: in England outside London and in Wales, council PCN appeals go to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. In London they go to London Tribunals.
Keeper liability: the law that lets a private operator pursue the registered keeper (Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012) applies in England and Wales only, not Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland: PCNs are handled by the Department for Infrastructure, and appeals go to an independent adjudicator. See nidirect.
Private tickets: The legal rules behind private charges can differ between the UK nations. Always follow the deadlines on your own ticket and rejection letters, and ask a local advice service if unsure.

Five steps

Identify the ticket type. Use the table and tool above.
Gather evidence. Photos of the signs, road markings and your vehicle's position, receipts or app records, permits, and anything showing a breakdown or emergency. Photograph signs as soon as you can.
Build your letter. Use the builder below.
Challenge to the operator or council. Send it before the deadline on your notice (appeal limits are usually 28 days), and keep proof of posting or a copy of the email.
If refused, go to the independent appeal. POPLA or the IAS for private tickets, or the tribunal named on your notice of rejection for council tickets. Check your rejection letter for the deadline and any code you need.

Appeal letter builder

Fill in what you know. Anything left blank is shown in [square brackets] for you to complete. This runs in your browser and nothing is stored or sent. You do not need to give a bank or card number, a National Insurance number or any ID number, so please don't.

The ticket

Ticket type

If rejected, I will appeal to

Council or parking company name

Notice reference number

Vehicle registration

Date of the ticket

Where it happened

Your reasons

Tick the reasons that genuinely apply. Only say what is true, and keep your evidence.

What happened, in your own words (optional if you ticked a reason)

Check how your notice treats the driver and the registered keeper before you say who was driving. A local advice service such as Citizens Advice can explain what applies to you.

Evidence you will enclose

Photographs of the signs, road markings and where the vehicle was

Proof of payment, such as a receipt or app record

A copy of my permit, ticket or Blue Badge

Documents showing a breakdown, medical emergency or change of ownership

A copy of the notice

Your details (for the top of the letter)

Your full name

Your address and postcode

Sources: GOV.UK, parking fines and penalty charge notices; GOV.UK, challenge a parking fine; POPLA; International Parking Community; Traffic Penalty Tribunal; London Tribunals; IAS. Checked 26 October 2026. Rules and time limits differ in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so always check the ticket's own deadlines.