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Motorist Advice Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Received a notice? Don't worry. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about parking charges, appeals, and legalities.

PCN vs Parking Charge

Understand the difference between council and private tickets.

The Appeals Process

Step-by-step guide on how to challenge a notice correctly.

Parking Jargon Buster

Decoding the legal language used in parking enforcement.

The UK Parking Law Split

In the United Kingdom, parking notices are issued under two entirely different legal frameworks.

The UK Parking Law Split Diagram
Council Issued

Statutory Law

  • Traffic Management Act 2004
  • Issued by Councils/TfL
Private Land

Contract Law

  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
  • Issued by Private Operators
Feature Penalty Charge (Council) Parking Charge (Private)
Legal Basis Statutory Law Contract Law
POFA 2012 Does not apply Applies

The Step-by-Step Appeals Guide

5-Step Parking Charge Appeals Process
1

Review the Notice Carefully

Carefully read the notice to understand the alleged contravention, timeframe to appeal, and the payment deadline.

2

Check Accreditation

Verify if the operator is accredited by the IPC or BPA. Accredited operators must follow a strict Code of Practice.

3

Gather Evidence

Evidence is king. Secure photos of signage, proof of payment, or images of faded road markings.

4

Appeal to the Operator First

Submit your initial appeal directly to the issuing operator. Once appealed, the "clock is frozen" for payment discounts.

5

Independent Adjudicator

If rejected, move to an independent body: **IAS** for IPC members or **POPLA** for BPA members.

IAS Adjudication Flow

For IPC accredited operators, the appeal follows this specific pathway:

Phase A: Standard Appeal

Appeal within 21 days of operator rejection. Operators have a final chance to review evidence before the Adjudicator decides.

Phase B: Arbitration

Both parties can agree to a binding Arbitration to settle the dispute without further legal escalation.

General Questions

Parking Jargon Buster

ANPR

Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras tracking entry/exit.

Registered Keeper

The person recorded at the DVLA as the owner/keeper.