Last week it was announced that there has been a huge rise in parking tickets handed out by private firms in 2022. And, according to data from the DVLA, 5.7 million tickets were handed out in the second half of 2022
Whilst DVLA is correct in providing information on motorists that are breaking the law, some feel as though private parking agencies are often unfair and misleading with signage. With this in mind, experts at YourParkingSpace hone in on how to tell the difference between the two types of parking tickets, and what to do if you think you’ve been unfairly issued a private parking fine.
What is the difference between a private parking ticket and a fine from the council?
Despite both tickets looking similar, one is an invoice rather than a fine. If you receive the ticket on the left, that is from the council and needs to be paid. However, the ticket on the right is actually an invoice from a private parking company.
What can you do if you get an unfair private parking fine?
Regardless of whether the ticket is from a private company if you’ve broken the rules you need to pay up. However, more frequently drivers are complaining about being landed with ‘unfair’ fines from private companies, commonly from retail and supermarket car parks.
Brannan Coady CEO at YourParkingSpace advises what to do if you find yourself in this situation, “Firstly, make sure to check the British Parking Association (BPA) or International Parking Community (IPC), the websites will tell you if the parking company is a member of their approved operator schemes. Every parking company must be a member of one of these organisations. If they are, then the usual first port of call would be to appeal through the advised process.
Make sure you include any evidence you’ve been able to gather while still at the scene, including photographs of anything relevant to the fine, correspondence, mitigating circumstances, and witness statements if possible, from anyone who can back up your story. This will give you the best chance possible of a successful dispute.
If your appeal is rejected we would then recommend contacting the landowner directly. They’ll often be willing to sort it from their side.”
The three top tips for avoiding parking fines, from an expert
Read signs carefully
Before you leave your car somewhere, always double-check the signs. Even if you are familiar with the parking space, rules can change frequently so it's always best to be sure.
Check where you’re parking
All car parks have different rules, so make sure you’re familiar with them when choosing to park somewhere.
Brannan Coady, CEO at YourParkingSpace advises, “The majority of car parks across the UK now operate with restrictions. Whether it’s a private or local authority car park, rules can differ quite a bit. Don’t get caught out by maximum stay limits to avoid unnecessary fines.”
Book your parking in advance
To avoid stress, book your parking in advance so you can be certain of the rules and cost beforehand. Booking via your phone on an app is the easiest way to avoid fines, as it makes it super easy to extend your stay, should something come up.
