If you received a parking ticket as a student, the first step is to determine if it's a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) from the council or a ticket from a private company. If it's a PCN, you have 28 days to challenge it formally. If it's from a private company, you'll need to check the ticket issuer and their appeal process. You should gather any evidence you can to support your appeal, like photos of unclear signs or witness statements.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Determine the Type of Ticket:
- Penalty Charge Notice (PCN): Issued by the council on public land.
- Private Parking Ticket: Issued by a private company on private land.
2. Gather Evidence:
- For PCNs:
- Photos: Capture any evidence like unclear signs, road markings, or the state of your vehicle.
- Witness Statements: If someone was with you, get their contact details.
- Any other evidence: A doctor's note for emergencies or a repair note if your car broke down.
- For Private Parking Tickets:
- Photos: Similar to PCNs, document any issues with the parking rules or signs.
- Terms and Conditions: Check the signs for the car park's parking rules.
- Any other evidence: Relevant to your situation, such as a witness statement.
3. Make an Informal or Formal Appeal:
If you received a PCN on your windscreen, you could make an informal challenge within 14 days to get a reduced fine.
If you received a ticket by post or for a private parking ticket, you'll need to make a formal appeal.
4. Follow the Specific Process:
- PCN: Check the ticket or the council's website for instructions on how to challenge the PCN.
- Private Parking Ticket: Contact the parking company to find out how to appeal their ticket.
5. If Your Appeal is Rejected:
You'll receive a "notice of rejection" and have 28 days to pay the fine or appeal to an independent tribunal.
You can appeal to an independent appeals service like POPLA or the Independent Appeals Service (IAS).
Important Considerations:
Make your appeal within the deadlines (usually 28 days for PCNs).
If you pay within the 14-day or 21-day period (depending on how you received the ticket), you may be eligible for a 50% discount.
Citizens Advice can provide independent advice, especially if you're unsure about your rights.
If you're unsure about your rights or the appeal process, National Debtline and araglaw.co.uk can provide advice.
Be wary of fake parking fine text messages and screen grab them to report them to Action Fraud.
Updated May 2025