ANPR Parking Ticket Errors - How to Appeal (2026)

What is ANPR?

ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) uses cameras to capture your vehicle's registration plate when you enter and exit a car park. Software calculates the time difference and compares it to the permitted stay.

If the calculated time exceeds the limit, a Parking Charge Notice is automatically generated and sent to the registered keeper.

The Critical Distinction: Entry/Exit Time ≠ Parking Time

This is the most important point: ANPR records when you passed the camera, not when you parked. The time between entry and exit cameras includes:

• Time driving around looking for a space
• Time queuing to exit
• Time circling because all spaces were full
• Time stopped at barriers or payment machines
• Time walking to and from your car

Only the time your vehicle was stationary in a parking space counts as "parking" - but ANPR cannot measure this.

Common ANPR Errors

1. Grace Period Failures

The BPA and IPC Codes of Practice require minimum grace periods:

Many ANPR tickets are issued for overstays of 5-15 minutes. If your overstay is within or close to the grace period, this is a strong appeal ground.

2. Queuing Time Not Deducted

Busy car parks often have queues at exit barriers. ANPR records when you pass the exit camera, not when you joined the queue. If you were stuck in traffic or queuing to leave, this time should not count as "parking."

3. "Double-Dip" Errors

Some car parks (especially supermarkets) allow multiple visits per day. However, ANPR systems often:

• Fail to recognise you left and returned
• Count your second visit as a continuation of the first
• Issue tickets for "overstaying" when you made two separate compliant visits

4. Clock Synchronisation Issues

Entry and exit cameras must have synchronised clocks. If one camera is 5 minutes fast and another is 5 minutes slow, your calculated stay could be 10 minutes longer than reality.

Request calibration and synchronisation records as part of your appeal.

5. Image Quality Problems

ANPR relies on clear images. Common issues include:

• Partially obscured number plates
• Wrong characters read (O vs 0, I vs 1, etc.)
• Images from wrong vehicle matched to your plate
• Timestamp not visible or illegible in the image

6. Multiple Vehicle Entries

ANPR sometimes confuses vehicles with similar plates, or records phantom entries/exits when plates are misread. Request all images to verify they show YOUR vehicle.

ANPR and Data Protection

Under GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the right to:

• Request all ANPR images of your vehicle (Subject Access Request)
• Know how long your data is retained
• Challenge inaccurate data

A Subject Access Request can reveal whether the operator has genuine evidence, and can expose timing inconsistencies.

Evidence Demands

When appealing an ANPR ticket, request:

• ☐ All ANPR images (entry and exit, with timestamps)
• ☐ Camera calibration certificates
• ☐ Clock synchronisation records
• ☐ System maintenance logs for the date in question
• ☐ Evidence of how grace periods are applied
• ☐ Full audit trail of the ticket generation

Many operators cannot provide this documentation. If they can't prove their system was accurate, how can they prove you overstayed?

The Appeal Process

Step 1: Analyse the Evidence

Look carefully at:

• The entry and exit times claimed
• How long you actually parked (check your receipts, phone location data, etc.)
• Whether grace periods have been applied
• The quality of the ANPR images

Step 2: Calculate the Discrepancy

If the ANPR says you were there for 2 hours 15 minutes, but you know you parked for 1 hour 45 minutes, that 30-minute discrepancy needs explaining. Consider:

• 10+ minutes looking for a space?
• 10+ minutes queuing to exit?
• Time at barriers or payment machines?

Step 3: Submit a Robust Appeal

Focus on:

• ANPR records camera pass times, not parking duration
• Specific deductions for queuing, circulation, barriers
• Grace period should be applied
• Request calibration evidence

Step 4: Escalate if Rejected

Take your appeal to POPLA or IAS with the same arguments. Include any evidence requests the operator failed to answer.

ANPR at Different Locations

Hospital Car Parks

Particular issues include:

• Unexpected long waits in A&E or clinics
• Difficulty returning to top up parking
• Visiting sick relatives for extended periods
• NHS guidelines on patient/visitor parking

Retail and Supermarket Car Parks

Watch for:

• Short free periods (1-2 hours) with strict enforcement
• Double-dip issues for multiple visits
• Failure to apply customer validation
• Signs hidden inside the store

Service Stations

Common problems:

• Very short free periods (20-30 minutes)
• Long queues at busy times
• Time spent at fuel pumps not deducted
• ANPR not accounting for HGV parking areas

What ANPR Cannot Prove

Legally, the operator must prove their case on the balance of probabilities. ANPR cannot prove:

• That you actually parked (vs drove through)
• That their cameras were accurately calibrated
• That their clocks were synchronised
• That grace periods were correctly applied
• That the images are definitely your vehicle

Challenge them to prove these elements. If they can't, their case is weak.

How PCN Beater Handles ANPR Tickets

PCN Beater generates professional appeal letters that:

• Highlight the entry/exit vs parking time distinction
• Calculate and claim appropriate deductions
• Demand calibration and synchronisation evidence
• Assert grace period rights under trade body codes
• Work across all ANPR operators

Disclaimer: PCN Beater is a document-preparation and postal service, not a law firm. This guide provides general information only and is not legal advice.

Related Guides

UKPC Appeal Guide | Horizon Parking Guide | CP Plus Appeal Guide | ParkingEye Appeal Guide | Euro Car Parks Guide