PCN issued for a private e-scooter

Private e-scooters are not legally allowed on public roads or pavements. Because of this, a council has no power to issue you a parking ticket (a PCN) for one left on a public road — the parking ticket system only covers vehicles that are lawfully allowed to be there. On private land, a parking charge can only be valid if a proper contract was formed between you and the landowner or operator, which is often not the case for e-scooters.

Legal basis

Highways Act 1835 s.72; Road Traffic Act 1988; Traffic Management Act 2004 s.78; ParkingEye v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67

How to identify this in your case

Determine: charge from council (impossible) or private operator on private land (test contract formation). Private e-scooters seized by police are dealt with criminally, not via PCN.

Sample appeal wording

Before you send this

Deadline. A late submission can be turned down without your argument being read. Check your notice for the deadline and how it is counted.
Paying may end it. Paying can count as accepting the notice and can close a challenge already under way. Part-paying or acknowledging an old debt can also revive a time limit that had expired.
The amount can change. Check what happens to the sum if you challenge — it may be held, re-offered lower, or keep rising, and fees or enforcement can continue meanwhile.
Use the official route. Use the method, recipient and form your notice specifies, with any reference, evidence and signature it asks for. Sent elsewhere, it may not count.
Only say what is true. Do not copy any statement of fact unless it is true for you, and check the legal point still applies. Delete what does not fit. It may be treated as your statement.
Careful what you volunteer. Avoid unnecessary admissions — naming the driver or accepting responsibility can remove arguments. But answer anything you are legally required to answer, and do include the evidence your ground needs.
Keep the record. Keep what you sent, the attachments, any receipt, and the reply. Note the next deadline.

Sample wording to adapt and send yourself — it may not fit your notice or the stage you are at. Replace the bracketed prompts with your own details; leave any case citation as it is.

Dear [OPERATOR/COUNCIL], Re: Charge [REF] — Private E-Scooter — [DATE] I challenge this charge. 1. If council-issued: there is no statutory power under TMA 2004 to issue a civil parking PCN to a privately-owned e-scooter. Unlawful use is a matter for police criminal enforcement, not civil PCN. The PCN is ultra vires and must be cancelled. 2. If private parking charge: I deny that any contract was formed. There was no signage I was party to, no consideration passed, and ParkingEye v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67 requirements are not met. POFA 2012 keeper-liability does not extend to e-scooters which are not 'motor vehicles' as defined. Please cancel the charge. Yours faithfully, [NAME]

Beat It writes this argument automatically

Scan your PCN — our AI checks if this ground applies to your specific ticket, drafts a properly-cited appeal letter, and sends it for you where the council takes email — guiding you through their own online form where they use one, so you press submit. The win fee is only charged if you win.

PCN issued for a private e-scooter

Legal basis

How to identify this in your case

Sample appeal wording

Beat It writes this argument automatically

Sources

Related appeal grounds

Next steps