Got a Parking Ticket? How Resolvo Can Help You Challenge It

Seeing a yellow ticket on your car’s windscreen when you return can ruin your day. Your heart sinks as you think, Did I misread the sign? Was I parked in the wrong spot? It’s even worse when you get a letter in the post asking you to pay a parking fine you didn’t expect. Suddenly, you’re faced with an unexpected cost between £50 to £150.

The good news is that you don’t have to accept it If you believe the ticket was wrongly issued, there are ways to challenge it. Many parking tickets can be appealed successfully, potentially saving you a lot of money and stress.

Types of Parking Tickets in the UK

There are a few common types of parking tickets:

Council-Issued Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)

1. Issued by local councils alleged breaches of regulations on public roads or in council-owned car parks.

2. These are enforceable under statutory law. If you fail to pay or appeal, the council can take further action.

Private Parking Tickets (Parking Charge Notices)

1. Issued by private parking operators for alleged breaches on private land (e.g. supermarket or retail park car parks).

2. They look official but are essentially private invoices enforced under contract law rather than statutory law.

Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) by the Police or Local Authorities

1. Often issued for parking, minor driving offences, or other local violations.

2. Challenging these typically involves a court appearance.

Among these, council-issued PCNs and private parking tickets are the most common. In 2023 alone, private parking companies in Britain issued 11.1 million parking tickets, which amounts to around 35,000 tickets per day—and this figure continues to rise year after year.

Parking tickets issued by private companies

Common Reasons for Successful Appeals

There are many possible grounds for appealing a parking ticket. While each case is unique, some frequently cited (and often successful) reasons include:

• Inadequate or Confusing Signage: Perhaps the parking signs were unclear, missing, or obscured by foliage.

• Faulty Meters or Payment Machines: If the pay-and-display machine was out of order, it might invalidate the ticket.

• Mitigating Circumstances: Emergencies, medical issues, or other extenuating situations might support an appeal.

• Incorrect Details on the Ticket: A wrong date, time, or vehicle information could be grounds for cancellation.

If you believe any of these apply to your situation—or if you have other reasons to think your ticket was unfair—you may have a valid case to appeal.

Fight Your Parking Ticket For Free with Resolvo

We understand how unfair parking tickets are. That’s why Resolvo was created—a free tool to help anyone their parking ticket.

Resolvo analyses your ticket details and the circumstances surrounding your fine, then creates a personalised appeal letter using tried-and-tested arguments.

• Fast & Free: Just tell Resolvo what happened, you can upload a photo of your ticket if you have it, and answer a few questions to provide context.

• Trained on the Latest Parking Regulations: Resolvo keeps up to date with parking laws, including codes of practice from organisations like the British Parking Association.

• Personalised Appeal Letter: In just a few minutes, you’ll get an appeal letter tailored to your situation. You can make changes, then send it off to dispute the charge.

Important: Resolvo does not assist with other driving penalties (such as speeding fines or police-issued Fixed Penalty Notices). If you get one of these, you should consider seeking legal advice.