How to Appeal an APCOA Parking Ticket (2025 Guide)

APCOA Parking is one of Europe's largest parking operators, managing car parks at NHS hospitals, airports, railway stations, universities, shopping centres and city centre sites across the UK. They issue thousands of Parking Charge Notices every year.

If you have received an APCOA ticket, this guide explains your options, the strongest grounds for appeal, and how to challenge the charge.

Where APCOA Operates

APCOA manages car parks at a wide range of locations:

• NHS hospitals: Many hospital trusts contract APCOA to manage patient, visitor and staff parking
• Airports: Short-stay, long-stay and drop-off zones at several UK airports
• Railway stations: Station car parks managed on behalf of train operators
• City centre car parks: Multi-storey and surface car parks in town centres
• Universities and colleges: Campus parking for students and staff

Common Grounds for Appealing an APCOA Ticket

1. Hospital appointment overruns

This is one of the most common and strongest grounds for hospital parking appeals. If your appointment ran late and caused you to overstay:

• Obtain proof from the hospital showing your actual appointment time and when you were seen
• Explain that you had no control over the delay
• Reference NHS England guidance that parking should not be a barrier to accessing healthcare
• Point out that punishing patients for hospital delays is unreasonable

Many hospital trusts have policies to cancel tickets where appointment delays caused the overstay. Contact the hospital's PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) if APCOA refuses.

2. Medical emergencies and urgent care

If you or someone you were with needed urgent medical attention:

• A&E attendance or emergency admission
• Sudden illness in the car park
• Urgent collection of a vulnerable patient

Provide any documentation you have: discharge papers, appointment letters, or a statement from medical staff.

3. Payment machine or app problems

APCOA car parks often use payment machines and apps. If you could not pay because:

• The machine was out of order or would not accept your payment method
• The app crashed, had no signal, or rejected your payment
• There was no alternative payment method available
• Queues at the machine meant you could not pay before leaving

Evidence tip: Photograph broken machines, screenshot app errors, and keep bank statements showing attempted payments.

4. Signage and tariff problems

Under the BPA Code of Practice, APCOA must display clear signage showing:

• The parking terms and conditions
• Time limits and tariffs
• The charge amount for non-compliance

If signs were hidden, damaged, too small to read, or showed conflicting information, you have grounds to appeal.

5. ANPR camera errors

Many APCOA sites use ANPR cameras. Common issues include:

• Incorrect entry or exit times recorded
• Camera missing your exit (making it look like you never left)
• Multiple visits merged into one long stay
• Wrong vehicle identified due to similar registration plates

Request the ANPR images and timestamp data. If the evidence is unclear or inconsistent, challenge it.

6. Airport drop-off confusion

Airport drop-off zones often have complex rules that change frequently. Common issues:

• Unclear signage about where dropping off is allowed
• Temporary changes to routes not properly marked
• Short time limits not clearly displayed
• Confusion between free drop-off and chargeable zones

7. Keeper liability issues (POFA)

Under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 Schedule 4, APCOA can only pursue the registered keeper if they followed strict requirements:

• The Notice to Keeper must be served within 14 days of the parking event
• The notice must contain all information required by paragraph 9

If these requirements were not met, APCOA may not be able to enforce the charge against you as keeper.

How to Appeal an APCOA Ticket Step by Step

Step 1: Check deadlines and act quickly

Most APCOA tickets offer a reduced charge if paid within 14 days. If you appeal within this period, the "stop the clock" rule should freeze the discount while they consider your case.

Step 2: Gather your evidence

Collect everything relevant:

• Photos of your ticket (front and back)
• Photos of signage at the location
• Hospital appointment letters or discharge papers
• Payment receipts, app screenshots or bank statements
• Photos of broken machines or unclear bay markings

Step 3: Submit your appeal

You can appeal to APCOA via:

• Their online appeals portal (check the website on your ticket)
• Letter by post (use recorded delivery)

Be clear, factual and polite. Explain what happened, why the charge is unfair or incorrect, and what evidence you are providing.

Step 4: Contact the venue directly

For hospital tickets, also contact:

• The hospital's PALS service
• The car park office at the hospital
• The department where you had your appointment

For other venues, contact the site manager. Many will ask APCOA to cancel tickets for genuine customers.

Step 5: Escalate to POPLA if rejected

If APCOA rejects your appeal, they must provide a POPLA verification code. You then have 28 days to submit an independent appeal to POPLA.

Industry data shows that around 42% of POPLA cases result in cancellation, with many operators withdrawing tickets before adjudication when faced with strong evidence.

NHS Hospital Parking: Special Rules

Hospital parking is a sensitive issue and there is specific guidance:

NHS England guidance

NHS guidance states that parking arrangements should:

• Not create a barrier to patients accessing healthcare
• Be fair and reasonable
• Make allowances for appointment delays outside patients' control

Free parking entitlements

Many NHS trusts offer free or reduced parking for:

• Blue Badge holders
• Frequent outpatients (dialysis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy)
• Parents of children in hospital
• Relatives of patients in critical care

Check if you qualify and whether this was clearly communicated.

Don't Want to Write the Appeal Yourself?

PCN-Beater can take the stress out of appealing.

For £6.99, we:

• Read your ticket photos and extract the key details
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• Email you a copy for online submissions

FAQ: APCOA Parking Appeals

Q: Can I appeal an APCOA hospital parking ticket?
A: Yes. Many hospital parking tickets are successfully appealed, especially where appointment overruns, medical emergencies, or unclear signage were involved. NHS guidance states parking should not be a barrier to healthcare.

Q: How long do I have to appeal?
A: You typically have 28 days to appeal. Appealing within 14 days should freeze the discounted rate while APCOA considers your case.

Q: What if APCOA rejects my appeal?
A: You can escalate to POPLA, an independent adjudicator. Their decision is binding on APCOA.

Q: Can the hospital cancel my ticket directly?
A: Sometimes yes. Contact the hospital PALS service or car park office and explain your situation. Many trusts will request cancellation for genuine patients.

Disclaimer: PCN-Beater is a document-preparation and postal service, not a law firm. This guide provides general information based on UK parking regulations and the BPA Code of Practice. It is not legal advice.