You might not have to pay your parking fine. Here’s why...

👋 Hey guys - Noah here,

Have you ever found that dreaded yellow ticket on your windscreen?

Here's what most people don't know: You might not actually have to pay it.

Last week, my mate got slapped with a £60 fine at a retail park. He was about to pay until I showed him this trick that saved him the full amount.

The important difference

Here's the thing: There's a MASSIVE difference between a parking fine and a parking charge.

And parking companies are banking on you not knowing the difference.

Parking Fine = Issued by councils or police. These are legally enforceable. You pretty much have to pay these.

Parking Charge = Issued by private companies (supermarkets, retail parks, private car parks). These are basically invoices - NOT fines.

Private parking charges are just requests for payment. They're not automatic debts.

How to Spot Which One You've Got

Look at your ticket carefully:

Council/Police Fine:

• Says "Penalty Charge Notice" or "Fixed Penalty Notice"

• Has the council logo or police authority

• Usually yellow or white

• Has a reference to traffic laws

Private Parking Charge:

• Says "Parking Charge Notice" (sneaky, right?)

• From companies like ParkingEye, Euro Car Parks, Smart Parking

• Often yellow to look official

• No council or police logos

Why You Can Contest Private Charges (And Often Win)

Private parking companies rely on fear and confusion. They make their "charges" look as official as possible, hoping you'll panic and pay up.

But here's what they don't tell you:

1. They have to prove you were the driver (not just the car owner)

2. Their signs must be clearly visible and readable

3. They must follow strict appeals procedures

4. Many charges get thrown out on technicalities

Over 40% of contested private parking charges are cancelled, so your odds of winning are pretty good!

Your Step-by-Step Contest Guide

If you get a private parking charge, here's exactly what to do:

Step 1: Don't Ignore It Ignoring it won't make it go away. They have 6 years to pursue you.

Step 2: Don't Admit You Were Driving When appealing, never say "I was driving". Say "the vehicle" instead.

Step 3: Appeal Immediately You usually have 28 days. Use their official appeals process first.

Step 4: Use These Magic Words "I am appealing this charge on the following grounds:

• Signage was inadequate/unclear

• The charge is disproportionate

• You have not provided sufficient evidence"

Step 5: If They Reject Your Appeal Go to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals) - it's free and independent. They overturn LOADS of charges.

Step 6: Stand Your Ground They'll send scary letters. They'll threaten court. In 99% of cases, they won't actually take you to court - it's not worth their time for £60-100.

The Bottom Line

Next time you get a private parking charge, don't panic. Don't pay immediately. Follow the steps above and you've got a solid chance of getting it cancelled.

Remember: These companies are hoping you'll roll over and pay. When you know your rights, you can fight back.

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All the best, Noah