FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I have to tell them who was driving my car?

No. Some private parking firms issue parking charge notices which state that as the registered keeper of the vehicle you have a repsonsibility to ensure that it is parked in accordance with the terms and conditions for parking and that the registered keeper is responsible for paying the parking charge notice. If you were not driving the vehicle, it is up to the private parking company to establish who was driving the car. It is the drivers responsibility NOT the registered keepers.

Can I get a criminal record if I don't pay?

No. Private parking firms would like you to believe that they have legal authority to issue fines for failing to comply with their parking rules but the only action they can take against you is a civil case in the small claims court for breach of contract.

If they were to claim damages for breach of contract, all they can claim is for the amount they have lost. For example, if you had paid £2 to park for an hour but stayed for 2 hours, the maximum they can charge is £2. Many supermarkets offer free parking so how have they lost any money? It would be extremely difficult for them to prove for each individual case.

If they take me to court will it affect my credit rating?

No. If you dispute the alleged breach of contract then you do not owe them anything. In the unlikely event of a private parking company taking you to court and winning, as long as you pay the amount in full when they obtain the judgement then there will be no record on your credit rating.

How did they get my details?

The DVLA provide these companies with the details of the registered keeper of the vehicle for a small charge.

Should I pay and then dispute the parking charge notice?

No. Often the parking charge notice states that payment is an admission of breach of contract. It would then be very difficult to reclaim the money for the parking fine. Best action is not to pay the parking fine and let the private parking firm chase you. They generally give up fairly easily.

Should I appeal the parking charge notice?

No. By appealing the parking charge notice you give the parking charge notice some validity and it could be seen as an admission that you have breached the terms and conditions of parking. If you write to them never use the word "appeal". You can write to them to state that you do not feel they have a valid claim against you but do not say appeal in the letter.