How to Appeal a ParkingEye Ticket (2025 Guide)

Private parking firms issued around 14.4 million parking tickets in the year to March 2024 – roughly 39,000 a day in Britain. ParkingEye is one of the biggest names behind those tickets.

Most drivers just pay, but consumer groups and appeals bodies report that a large share of private tickets that are challenged are cancelled, especially where signs are unclear or the rules haven't been followed properly.

This guide explains, in plain English, how to deal with a ParkingEye ticket and where PCN-Beater fits in.

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

1. Work out exactly what you've received

First, check what kind of notice you're dealing with. Private parking and council tickets look confusingly similar but follow different rules.

ParkingEye tickets are usually one of two things:

• Windscreen ticket on private land: Yellow/white "Parking Charge Notice" stuck to your windscreen. Usually followed by a postal Notice to Keeper if they don't hear from you.
• Postal ticket using ANPR cameras: "Parking Charge Notice" arrives by post with entry/exit times from cameras. No windscreen ticket was placed on the car.

Private vs council:

A ParkingEye notice is a civil parking charge (an invoice) on private land. A council Penalty Charge Notice is a statutory fine under road traffic rules. The appeal routes and time limits are different. See our guide to private vs council parking tickets for a full comparison.

If you're not sure which you have, look for the company name "ParkingEye" and references to the British Parking Association (BPA) – they're a trade body for private operators.

2. Check the key deadlines

Time limits matter. Missing them can reduce your options.

• Pay/appeal deadline: usually 28 days from the date of the notice
• Discount period: typically 14 days for a reduced charge (for example £60 instead of £100)
• Appeal during discount: as a BPA member, ParkingEye should "freeze" the discount while they look at an appeal submitted within the discount period – this is called the "stop the clock" rule

Private parking firms also have deadlines if they want to pursue the registered keeper under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Schedule 4). For ANPR/postal tickets, the Notice to Keeper generally needs to arrive within 14 days of the parking event. If the paperwork arrives very late, or is missing key information, keeper liability may not apply. That can form part of an appeal.

3. Decide whether you have grounds to appeal

You can appeal just because you think the charge is unfair. But some reasons are stronger than others.

Stronger grounds often include:

• Unclear or missing signs: Small print, hidden signs, or terms that can't be read from the driver's seat. Charges or time limits that are not clearly displayed at the entrance.
• Incorrect details on the ticket: Wrong vehicle registration, date, time or location. You can show it wasn't your car or it wasn't there.
• Problems with ANPR cameras: Camera captures entry and exit but not time spent finding a space or queuing to leave. Short overstays can be covered by the BPA's minimum grace periods – for example, at least 10 minutes at the end of paid time.
• You were a genuine paying customer: You shopped, paid for a ticket, or met the car park's conditions. You may also complain directly to the store, hotel or landowner and ask them to cancel it.
• Machine or app problems: Pay-and-display machine out of order. Payment app failed or there was no phone signal.
• Mitigating circumstances: Breakdown, medical emergency, childcare emergency, or something similar. Operators don't have to cancel, but the BPA Code expects them to act reasonably.

4. Gather your evidence

Good evidence is often what wins an appeal. See our guide on why you need front and back photos for tips on capturing strong evidence. Collect:

• Clear photos of all signs near where you parked and at the car park entrance
• Photos of the bay markings and any confusing road markings
• Receipts, bank statements or booking confirmations showing you were a customer
• Screenshots of error messages if a payment app or machine failed
• Any breakdown reports, medical notes or recovery invoices (if relevant)
• Copies of everything ParkingEye have sent you

Keep it simple and factual – "On 14 January at 10:05 the payment machine was out of order, as shown in the photo attached."

5. Submit your appeal to ParkingEye

You normally have two ways to appeal:

• Online form – via ParkingEye's website (fastest and traceable)
• Letter – sent by post (recorded delivery is best)

What to include in your appeal:

• PCN reference number and vehicle registration
• A short explanation of what happened
• Bullet-point reasons why the charge should be cancelled
• Your evidence as attachments or photo uploads

Stay polite and focused on facts. Avoid long rants – the person reading your appeal is just following rules.

Tip: If you're the registered keeper but weren't the driver, think carefully before naming the driver. Keeper liability rules can be complex; the decision is yours.

6. Use PCN-Beater if you want it handled for you

If writing the appeal feels like a headache, PCN-Beater can prepare everything.

For £6.99, we:

• Ask you simple questions about what happened
• Read your PCN photos and extract the key details
• Generate a clear, personalised appeal letter tailored to ParkingEye cases
• Print it and post it Royal Mail 1st Class to the address on your notice
• Email you a copy so you can paste it into ParkingEye's online form if you prefer

You stay in control – you can edit the letter before it's sent.

7. What happens after your appeal?

ParkingEye should:

• Acknowledge your appeal
• Place the charge on hold while they consider it
• Write to you with either cancellation, or rejection with reasons and a POPLA code (independent appeal)

If they don't reply within a reasonable time or chase you without dealing with your appeal properly, keep all letters and screenshots – it may help later.

8. If ParkingEye rejects your appeal

Don't give up – read our detailed guide on what to do when ParkingEye rejects your appeal. A rejection letter should give you:

• The decision and reasons
• A 10-digit POPLA reference
• A new deadline to either pay or appeal to POPLA

Appealing to POPLA

POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals) is an independent appeals body for BPA-member operators like ParkingEye.

• You usually have 28 days from the rejection to submit your POPLA appeal online
• POPLA looks at evidence from both you and ParkingEye
• In past years, official commentary has suggested that a significant share – often around half – of appeals to independent bodies like POPLA are allowed, especially where signage or paperwork is poor

POPLA decisions are binding on the operator (if you win they must cancel), but not on you. If you lose, ParkingEye can still pursue the charge, including through the small claims court.

9. Court claims and debt collector letters

Most ParkingEye tickets never reach court, but some do.

Debt collector letters

These can look scary but are usually just asking for payment. They cannot send bailiffs without a court judgment.

Letter Before Claim or County Court claim form

These are more serious. Do not ignore them. Get independent legal advice or speak to Citizens Advice.

PCN-Beater is designed for appeals before the court stage and does not provide legal representation.

10. Quick FAQ

Is a ParkingEye ticket "real"?
Yes. It's not a criminal fine, but it is a civil parking charge. If ignored completely, it can be pursued in the county court.

Will appealing mean I lose the discount?
If you appeal within the discount period, BPA rules say the reduced amount should be held while your appeal is considered.

Can they chase the registered keeper?
Yes, but only if they meet the conditions in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. If they don't, they may only pursue the driver.

Ready to Appeal Your ParkingEye Ticket?

Upload your ticket photos, answer a few questions and get a professional appeal letter in about a minute for £6.99.

Disclaimer: The PCN-Beater team includes UK drivers and parking-law enthusiasts who have successfully challenged many unfair tickets. Our templates are based on UK parking legislation and guidance, trade-body codes of practice, and real-world appeal decisions. But we are not a law firm and do not offer legal advice. Always seek independent advice if you're unsure.