Ignoring a Parking Charge Notice: What Happens Next

Private charge or council fine

A Parking Charge Notice from a private car park operator is a civil invoice under contract, not a criminal fine. This distinction matters because the consequences of ignoring it follow civil debt rules, not criminal enforcement. The charge is issued under the terms displayed at the car park, which the driver accepts by parking there. Under the BPA/IPC single Code of Practice, in force since 1 October 2024, a private parking charge should be no more than £100. The code requires a reduction of at least 40% if the charge is paid within 14 days of the Parking Charge Notice being issued. The code allows up to £70 to be added if payment is overdue. The code sets a 10-minute grace period at the end of a parking session before a charge is issued; it does not apply to short-stay areas under 30 minutes. The code is not statutory but binds members of the British Parking Association (BPA) and International Parking Community (IPC); serious breaches can cost a company access to DVLA keeper data. A statutory code under the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 is still pending: the government's 2022 code was withdrawn on 7 June 2022 and a new consultation closed on 26 September 2025.

When a notice arrives, check the operator is a member of BPA or IPC, as this affects which appeals body applies. Check the date of issue and the date of the parking event. If the notice was issued by post following camera or ANPR enforcement, the notice to keeper must be delivered within 14 days beginning with the day after the parking period ended, for the operator to pursue the registered keeper. If it arrived later, that timing may be a point to raise. Check the amount demanded: it should not exceed £100 before any overdue additions. Check whether the 14-day discount period is still open. Gather evidence: photographs of the signs at the car park showing the terms, any receipt or ticket, and a note of the timings of your stay. Keep the notice and envelope. These steps help you decide whether to pay at the discounted rate or appeal.

The first 28 days

In the first 14 days after the Parking Charge Notice is issued, the code requires a reduction of at least 40% if the charge is paid. That means a £100 charge should be reduced to £60 or less. If you believe the charge is wrong, appeal to the parking operator first. The operator's address or online appeals portal is usually on the notice. When appealing, write clearly and include your grounds: for example, that the notice to keeper arrived outside the 14-day period, that the 10-minute grace period applied, or that the signs were unclear. Attach copies of your evidence: photos of signs, receipts, and timings. Keep a copy of everything you send and note the date. The operator should respond within a reasonable time. If the operator rejects your appeal, you can escalate to POPLA for BPA members or to the Independent Appeals Service (IAS) for IPC members. POPLA is an independent appeals service for Parking Charge Notices issued on private land, and it is free for motorists. Appeal body decisions bind the operator but not the motorist; if a motorist refuses to pay after losing, the company may take them to civil court.

If you do not appeal and do not pay, the 14-day discount period closes. The full charge of up to £100 becomes due. POPLA says that if payment is delayed beyond 28 days, the operator may add charges or refer the case to debt collection. So by day 28, the amount owed could be up to £170. At this stage, check any correspondence from the operator for the correct amount and whether the added fees comply with the code. If you have already appealed, keep the appeal reference and any decision letter. If you have not appealed, you can still contact the operator to pay or to ask for a review, but the discount will no longer apply. Keep records of all payments and communications.

Debt collection letters

After 28 days, if the charge remains unpaid, the operator may refer the case to debt collection. Debt collection letters are a formal request for payment. They may add further administrative costs, but the code allows up to £70 to be added if payment is overdue. When a debt collection letter arrives, check that the amount matches the original charge plus any permitted additions. Check the date of the original Parking Charge Notice and whether the 14-day discount period was missed. If you believe the charge is unfair, you can still appeal to the operator or, if the operator is a member of BPA or IPC, to POPLA or IAS, provided you have not already exhausted those routes. However, once debt collection has started, the operator may be less willing to accept an appeal. Gather any evidence you have: photos of signs, receipts, timings, and copies of previous correspondence. Write to the debt collection agency stating your case and include copies of your evidence. Keep a copy of your letter and any response. If you pay, keep the receipt. If you dispute the debt, do not ignore the letters; respond in writing.

Debt collection does not automatically mean court action. The operator may decide to take the case to civil court if the debt remains unpaid. If court papers arrive, you will need to respond within the time specified on the forms. At that point, you can present your defence, including any evidence that the charge was not valid or that the amount claimed is incorrect. The court will decide based on the facts. Keep all documents and correspondence. If you receive a county court claim, seek advice from a consumer advice service or a solicitor. Do not ignore court papers, as this can lead to a judgment against you.

Can a parking company take you to court

Yes, a parking company can take a motorist to civil court to recover an unpaid Parking Charge Notice. This is a civil claim, not a criminal prosecution. In ParkingEye v Beavis (2015) the Supreme Court found an £85 overstay charge fair, reasonable and enforceable. That case established that a parking charge can be enforceable if it is not extravagant or unconscionable. The amount must be justified by a legitimate interest, such as managing parking. If a case goes to court, the operator must prove that a contract was formed and that the charge is enforceable. The motorist can defend the claim by arguing that the charge is not a genuine pre-estimate of loss, that the signs were inadequate, that the grace period applied, or that the notice to keeper was not delivered within the required 14 days. The court will consider all evidence. If the operator wins, the motorist may be ordered to pay the charge plus court fees and costs. If the motorist wins, the claim is dismissed. Court action is a last resort for many operators, but it is a real possibility if the charge remains unpaid and the operator believes it has a strong case.

If you receive court papers, check the details carefully. The claim form will state the amount claimed and the reasons. You will have a deadline to respond. You can admit the claim, defend it, or dispute the amount. If you defend, you will need to provide evidence. Gather photos of signs, receipts, timings, and any correspondence with the operator or appeals body. Write a clear defence explaining why you believe the charge is not owed. Keep copies of everything you send to the court. If you are unsure, seek advice from a consumer advice service or a solicitor. Ignoring court papers can lead to a default judgment against you, which may affect your ability to obtain credit. It is better to respond than to ignore.

When the keeper is liable

Under Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, where no notice was given to the driver at the time (for example camera/ANPR enforcement), the notice to keeper must be delivered within 14 days beginning with the day after the parking period ended, for the operator to pursue the registered keeper. This means that if the notice to keeper arrives later than 14 days after the parking event, the operator may not be able to hold the registered keeper liable. The keeper is the person registered with the DVLA as the vehicle's owner. If the notice to keeper is not delivered within the 14-day period, the operator may only be able to pursue the driver, who may be unknown. This is a key point to check when a notice arrives. If the notice was given to the driver at the time, for example a ticket on the windscreen, the 14-day rule for the notice to keeper does not apply in the same way. In that case, the operator can pursue the driver, and if the driver is not identified, the keeper may be liable under the Act if the conditions are met. The Act sets out the conditions for keeper liability, including that the notice must be delivered within the specified period and must contain certain information.

If you are the registered keeper and receive a notice to keeper, check the date it was delivered and the date of the parking event. If the notice was delivered more than 14 days after the parking period ended, and no notice was given to the driver at the time, you may have grounds to appeal. Write to the operator stating that the notice to keeper was not delivered within the 14-day period required by Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, and that you are not liable as keeper. Include a copy of the notice and the envelope showing the delivery date if possible. Keep a copy of your letter. If the operator rejects your appeal, you can escalate to POPLA or IAS. The appeals body will consider whether the operator complied with the Act. If the operator did not, the appeal may be upheld. If the operator did comply, the keeper may be liable.

Better options than ignoring it

Ignoring a Parking Charge Notice is rarely the best course. The charge can increase by up to £70 if payment is overdue, and after 28 days the operator may add charges or refer the case to debt collection. If the case goes to court, you may face additional costs. Instead, consider appealing. Appeal to the parking operator first. If rejected, appeal to POPLA for BPA members or to the Independent Appeals Service (IAS) for IPC members. POPLA is free for motorists. When appealing, gather evidence: photos of signs, receipts, timings, and any correspondence. Write a clear appeal explaining your grounds. Keep copies of everything. If you appeal to POPLA or IAS, you will need to provide evidence and a statement. The appeals body will review the case and make a decision. If the appeal is successful, the charge is cancelled. If it is unsuccessful, you can still pay or await court action. Paying within 14 days secures the 40% discount. If you cannot pay, contact the operator to discuss payment options. Do not ignore the notice, as this can lead to additional costs and court action.

If you receive a council PCN, the process is different. If a council PCN is still unpaid after 28 days, a Charge Certificate can increase the amount by 50%. This is a statutory penalty, not a civil invoice. For council PCNs, you can make a formal representation to the council within 28 days. If rejected, you can appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (outside London) or London Tribunals (in London). The deadlines are strict. For private Parking Charge Notices, the code sets a 10-minute grace period at the end of a parking session before a charge is issued; it does not apply to short-stay areas under 30 minutes. If you believe the grace period applied, include that in your appeal. Always check the notice for the operator's details and the appeals process. Keep a record of all dates and communications. Taking action early is better than ignoring the notice.

Source: House of Commons Library: private parking (CBP-8736).

Related coverage on Kael Tripton: POPLA Appeal: How to Challenge a Private Parking Charge, CMA Takes Action on Private Parking Charges for Drivers, Hackney Council Spent £10,253 on Staff Parking Fines in a Year, UK Parking Fine Statistics 2026, What Is a PCN? UK Meaning Explained.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I ignore a private Parking Charge Notice?

The charge can increase by up to £70 if payment is overdue. After 28 days, the operator may add charges or refer the case to debt collection. The operator may also take you to civil court.

How much is a private parking charge?

Under the BPA/IPC single Code of Practice, a private parking charge should be no more than £100. A reduction of at least 40% applies if paid within 14 days.

Can I appeal a private Parking Charge Notice?

Yes. Appeal to the parking operator first. If rejected, appeal to POPLA for BPA members or to the Independent Appeals Service (IAS) for IPC members. POPLA is free for motorists.

What is the 14-day rule for keeper liability?

Under Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, where no notice was given to the driver at the time, the notice to keeper must be delivered within 14 days beginning with the day after the parking period ended, for the operator to pursue the registered keeper.

What happens if I ignore a council PCN?

If a council PCN is still unpaid after 28 days, a Charge Certificate can increase the amount by 50%.