The "Keying Error" Trap
Smart Parking manages car parks that require you to type your registration into a tablet or machine. A huge percentage of their fines are issued to honest drivers who made a simple typo.
Common Keying Errors
- Typing "0" (zero) instead of "O" (letter)
- Missing a character (AB12 CDE → AB12 CD)
- Transposing letters (AB12 CDE → AB12 CED)
- Including spaces incorrectly
The BPA "Minor Error" Rule
Under the BPA Code of Practice, operators must cancel charges for minor keying errors where the driver clearly attempted to pay. You need to prove:
- You entered a registration that was "substantially correct"
- You made a genuine payment attempt
- The error was clearly a typo, not an attempt to evade payment
How to Appeal a Keying Error
- Gather your payment receipt (shows you paid)
- Photograph the machine/tablet interface (often confusing)
- Write a clear explanation of the typo
- Cite BPA Code provisions on minor errors
What If They Reject Your Appeal?
Smart Parking is a BPA member, so you can escalate to POPLA. POPLA assessors are sympathetic to genuine keying errors, especially where payment was clearly attempted.
Prevention Tip
Always double-check your registration before confirming. Take a photo of the screen as proof of what you entered.