Guide to making an appeal
This guide explains how to appeal a parking charge, what you’ll need, and how to give provide the most relevant information for us to consider.
Please note: The parking charge will not be paused while your appeal is being reviewed. The operator may add further charges if payment is delayed.
What you will need to appeal a parking charge
Before you start your appeal, make sure you have:
10 digit verification code
expand_moreYou’ll find this code in your rejection letter from the private parking operator. If you haven’t received your code, you can contact the parking operator who will provide one, but only if you appealed within 28 days of receiving your Parking Charge Notice.
Your parking charge notice number
expand_moreYou can find this number on your original Parking Charge Notice.
Your vehicle's registration number
expand_moreYou'll need to supply the registration of the vehicle involved in the appeal.
Evidence
expand_moreImportant: You must submit all your evidence when you make your appeal. You won’t be able to add more evidence later.
You should attach or enclose any evidence that you believe supports your case. For example:
- Crime reference number (if the vehicle was stolen)
- Photographs (if you think that the signage was inadequate)
- Pay and display ticket (if you say it was displayed and had not expired)
Preferred evidence:
- Photos or screenshots (these can be from your mobile phone (.jpg))
- Videos (.mpg)
- Documents (.pdf, .docx or .doc)
For any physical evidence sent to POPLA, please make sure they are copies as we cannot return evidence that is sent to us.
Make sure your evidence clearly shows what you are referring to (for example, the vehicle, signage, or ticket details).
The more relevant evidence you provide, the easier it is for the assessor to understand your case.
Selecting grounds for appeal
You can appeal on whatever grounds you feel to be relevant, however our assessors will decide whether these grounds are valid.
Below is a list of the common grounds for appealing.
My vehicle was stolen
This could mean that:
- Your vehicle was improperly parked after being stolen
- This does not include circumstances where the vehicle owner has given another person (e.g. a friend or family member) permission to drive their vehicle
- The fact that you told the driver they could only use your vehicle if they did not get a parking ticket is not grounds for appeal
Helpful supporting evidence may include:
- Crime reference number
- Police reports
I was not improperly parked
This could mean that:
- The vehicle was not parked where it was stated on the parking notice
- You were still within the time you paid for
- You did not overstay the free parking allowed in the car park
- You paid the correct amount for parking
- Your car parking ticket was clearly displayed
- The terms and conditions of the car park were not properly signed
- You were parked in an area where you were free to park
- You complied with the terms and conditions on the signage
Helpful supporting evidence may include:
- Evidence of payment, such as your parking ticket
- Evidence from a parking app
- Photographs of the car park
The amount requested on the parking charge notice is not correct
This could mean that:
- You have already paid your parking charge
- You are being asked to pay the wrong amount
Helpful supporting evidence may include:
- Evidence that you have paid your parking charge and the date you paid
- Evidence demonstrating why you believe the charge is not correct
Extreme circumstances prevented me from parking correctly
This could mean that:
- You were not able to comply with the parking conditions due to extreme circumstances
Supporting evidence may include:
- Evidence of the extreme circumstances leading to the breach
- Evidence your car broke down and a recovery company was called out
- Evidence of a medical emergency that prevented you from keeping to the parking conditions
Other
- There may be other reasons you are appealing your parking charge
Supporting evidence may include:
- Any other evidence to support your reasons for appeal
Ready to start an appeal with us?