Private parking charge? Know your fight

What this ticket is

A private parking charge (often dressed up to look like an official ticket) is an invoice from a private company for allegedly breaching the terms on a private car park. It is a contract/“invoice”, not a statutory penalty — and it carries no points.

The law

These are governed by contract law and, for keeper liability, the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Schedule 4). Operators must follow their trade body’s Code of Practice (BPA or IPC). The Supreme Court case ParkingEye v Beavis sets the limits on what’s an enforceable charge — and the operator must meet strict signage and notice requirements to hold the keeper liable.

Key facts

• •It is NOT a fine and NOT enforced by the council or police — it is a private invoice.
• •To pursue the keeper, the operator must follow PoFA 2012 Schedule 4 to the letter — small slips defeat keeper liability.
• •Signs must be clear and prominent, and the charge must be reasonable (ParkingEye v Beavis).
• •The operator needs DVLA-obtained keeper data and a compliant Notice to Keeper within strict time limits.

Strongest ways to fight it

Common appeal angles to check — every ticket is different. Beat It checks all of these against your actual ticket.

1. 1

   PoFA keeper-liability not met

   The Notice to Keeper missed the wording or timing PoFA 2012 Sch 4 requires — so the keeper isn’t liable.

2. 2

   Inadequate signage

   Signs weren’t clear, prominent or visible enough to form a contract.

3. 3

   Charge is disproportionate

   The amount goes beyond what ParkingEye v Beavis allows.

4. 4

   Grace periods not honoured

   Code of Practice entry/exit and observation grace periods weren’t given.

5. 5

   Genuine error / machine fault

   You paid, the machine/app failed, or your details were mistyped.

6. 6

   No standing / not the driver

   The operator can’t show a valid contract or who was driving.

How to fight it

1. Don’t pay and don’t ignore it — challenge it properly.
2. Appeal first to the operator, then to the trade-body appeals service (POPLA for BPA, the IAS for IPC).
3. Photograph every sign and keep any payment proof.
4. Check the Notice to Keeper’s wording and dates against PoFA 2012.
5. Let Beat It identify the PoFA/signage angles and write the appeal.