Challenge a parking charge or penalty
An appeal to a private parking company, or an informal challenge to a council penalty charge notice (PCN), in your own words.
Do this in chat: answer two or three questions and your agent writes it, then change it by asking.
What you type stays on this device: OpenMap doesn’t see it or keep it.
What the law says
- A council PCN is a penalty set by law. Challenge it informally in writing first.
- Challenge a council PCN within 14 days (21 days for a camera PCN sent by post) and most councils in England keep the 50% discount open while they decide.
- If the council says no, you can make formal representations when the Notice to Owner arrives, then appeal to an independent tribunal: London Tribunals in London, or the Traffic Penalty Tribunal elsewhere in England and Wales. Rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- A private parking charge is not a fine: it’s a charge the company says you owe under a contract. Appeal to the company first, usually within 28 days.
- If a private company says no, you can appeal free to POPLA (for British Parking Association members) or the IAS (for International Parking Community members).
- Keep copies of everything, and don’t ignore court papers if they arrive.
Free, impartial help:
This is not legal advice. You check the letter and send it yourself. OpenMap never sends it, files a claim for you or takes any share of money you get back.