Being slapped with a parking ticket can incur the wrath of many a motorist, as they anticipate a dreaded fine.
Whether it’s for overstaying in a supermarket car park or parking on a double yellow line, receiving a parking ticket is a frustrating experience.
But how exactly can you appeal a parking ticket? How do you avoid being charged penalty points?
MailOnline reveals everything you need to know about how to appeal a parking ticket.
The Citizens Advice Bureau advises drivers not to pay a parking ticket that they are appealing. Pictured: a woman buying a parking ticket via her smartphone (File image)
What are the different types of parking tickets?
How to appeal depends on the type of parking ticket you have. According to Citizens Advice Bureau, the majority of parking tickets that are issued will be one of the following:
- a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) or an Excess Charge Notice (ECN) – usually issued by the council on public land, such as a high street or council car park
- a Parking Charge Notice – issued by a landowner or parking company on private land, such as a supermarket car park
- a Fixed Penalty Notice – issued by the police on red routes, white zig zags or where the police manage parking
The bureau advises drivers not to pay a parking ticket that they are appealing. This is because payment by the driver is seen as admitting they were awarded the ticket correctly – so you won’t be able to appeal it once you’ve paid.
How to appeal a parking ticket
Anyone wishing to appeal a PCN should write to the council they were charged by, clearly explaining the reason(s) why they object.
If you are given an ECN, it will inform you how to appeal, which you have seven days to make.
Motorists wishing to appeal a Parking Charge Notice should check first to ensure the parking company they were charged by is a member of an accredited trade association (ATA).
If they are not, you are advised not to get in touch with them unless they have tried to contact you first.
When it comes to a Fixed Penalty Notice, drivers should contact the relevant local authority or the police, depending on who it was issued by.
You are able to appeal all types of parking tickets, but this does not guarantee that your appeal will be accepted by the relevant body.
The process for appealing a parking ticket depends on which type of penalty you have been charged with. Pictured: A driver using a navigation app to reach their destination (File image)
How can I avoid driving penalty points?
Common offences that result in penalty points for drivers include parking between two bays in public car parks, as well as parking in disabled spots if are not an official blue badge holder.
Another frequent misdemeanor that lands motorists in hot water is speeding. This can be avoided by following speed limits, following road signs and fitting your car with SatNavs that notify you of limits and speed check zones in certain areas.
Anyone caught speeding is advised to tell their insurance provider to ensure that their policy is not invalidated, which could result in any future claims being denied by the appropriate company.
Another common cause of people accruing points comes from drivers using their mobile phones. Anyone driving should refrain from looking at their mobile phone whilst on the road, as doing so could result in an unnecessary accident.
