Stop the Clock Rule: Keep Your Discount While Appealing

Millions of private parking tickets are issued in Britain every year – over 14.4 million in the 12 months to March 2024 alone, based on DVLA data on keeper look-ups by private firms.

Most people panic, pay the reduced amount, and never challenge the ticket – even when the charge may be unfair or non-compliant.

What many drivers don't realise is that appealing a private parking charge doesn't usually make it more expensive. In most cases, if you challenge it in time, the operator has to "stop the clock" on the discount.

This guide explains how that works, when it applies, and how to use it safely.

First: this rule is about private parking charges

This article is about private Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) from companies like ParkingEye, Euro Car Parks, GroupNexus and others who are members of a trade body such as the British Parking Association (BPA) or the International Parking Community (IPC).

These are civil invoices, not criminal fines. They're different from council Penalty Charge Notices, which follow a separate process under traffic regulations. See our guide to private vs council tickets for more on the differences.

Trade-association operators have to follow a Code of Practice if they want access to DVLA keeper data. That Code sets limits on charge levels, discount periods and how appeals are handled.

What does "stop the clock" actually mean?

Under the BPA and IPC Codes of Practice (which most big private parking firms follow):

• The full charge is usually up to £100 (this is the current common maximum in trade body codes)
• A discounted amount (typically 40–50% off) must be offered if you pay quickly – usually within 14 days of the notice date
• If you challenge the ticket within that discount period, the operator is expected to put the case on hold while they consider your appeal, not increase the amount while it's on hold, and if they reject you, give you a further period (often 14 days) to pay at the discounted amount

This is what people call the "stop the clock" rule – you hit pause on the countdown to the higher charge by sending a timely appeal.

Important: the rule applies to members of a recognised trade body. If the company on your ticket isn't BPA or IPC-approved, it may not follow these standards.

Why this makes appealing a smart move

1. It's usually a "no-lose" decision on cost

If you appeal in time and the company follows its Code of Practice:

• Best case: the ticket is cancelled – you pay nothing
• Worst case: your appeal is rejected, but you still get the chance to pay at the discounted rate (the same amount you could have paid on day one)

So long as you appeal within the discount window and keep all emails/letters, you're generally not risking the charge doubling just for asking them to think again.

2. Many appeals do succeed

Independent appeal bodies show that a meaningful number of tickets are cancelled. At POPLA (the independent appeal service for BPA-member private operators), about 20% of appeals were allowed in favour of the driver in 2023 – and that's after the motorist has already lost once with the operator.

That 20% figure doesn't even include all the tickets that get cancelled at the first appeal stage with the operator, so the real "challenge and win" rate is higher.

3. You buy time to gather evidence

Once your appeal is logged and the clock is paused, you can gather the evidence you need. Our guide on front and back ticket photos explains what to capture. You can:

• Go back and photograph signs, lines and machines
• Gather receipts or bank statements proving you were a customer
• Ask for witness statements if someone was with you
• Check the operator and site are properly listed on a BPA or IPC membership search

How to use the stop-the-clock rule properly

Step 1 – Act within 14 days

Count 14 days from the date on the notice (or from the date you received a postal PCN). Aim to submit your challenge well before that.

If the notice arrived late, keep the envelope and consider raising that as part of your appeal.

Step 2 – Send a clear, evidence-based appeal

Whether you use the operator's online form or send a letter, make sure to avoid common PCN appeal mistakes. You should:

• Quote the PCN number, vehicle registration and date
• State that you are challenging the charge and want it cancelled
• Give specific reasons, such as: signs were hidden, confusing or contradicted other signs; the machine was out of order or rejected payment; you were an authorised customer/visitor and complied with the terms you reasonably believed applied; you were prevented from complying due to breakdown, medical emergency or similar
• Attach photos, receipts, screenshots and any supporting documents

Step 3 – Keep proof and watch the deadlines

• Take screenshots of any online submissions (including the date/time and confirmation page)
• Save email acknowledgements
• If posting a letter, use 1st Class and keep the certificate of posting

The operator usually has 28–35 days to respond under the trade body code. If they don't reply, you can chase and ask for the case to be treated as closed.

Step 4 – If they reject you

A rejection letter should explain why they think the charge still applies and tell you how long you have to pay at the discounted rate and/or take the case to POPLA (BPA) or the IAS (IPC).

Now you decide:

• Pay at the discount – you've had your shot and kept costs down; or
• Escalate to independent appeal – if you believe you have strong grounds (for example, serious signage issues or clear evidence the operator is wrong)

How PCN-Beater fits into this

If you're stressed, busy or unsure what to say, PCN-Beater helps you use the stop-the-clock rule without the hassle.

For £6.99 we:

• Read your ticket photos and details
• Generate a tailored appeal letter based on UK parking rules and common operator mistakes
• Print it and post it 1st Class for you
• Email you a copy-paste version for any online appeal forms

That means you can hit the appeal button in under 2 minutes, freeze the discount, and give yourself a proper chance of getting the charge cancelled – without legal jargon.

(PCN-Beater is a document-preparation and postal service, not a law firm. We don't provide legal advice.)

FAQ: Stop-the-Clock and Parking Ticket Discounts

Q. Does appealing always freeze the discount?
A. For private parking companies that are members of the BPA or IPC, challenging the ticket within the discount period should pause enforcement and keep the charge at the discounted level while they consider your case, with extra time at the discount if they reject you. For non-member firms or council tickets, different rules and guidance apply, so always read the wording on your notice carefully.

Q. Can the charge go up because I appealed?
A. As long as you appeal within the stated deadline and respond promptly to any follow-up, it's unusual for a BPA/IPC operator to increase the charge purely because you challenged it. Where people get caught out is ignoring letters for months, which can lead to debt-collector fees and, in rare cases, a county court claim.

Q. Does this rule apply to council Penalty Charge Notices?
A. Councils follow different laws and guidance. Government guidance says councils should normally re-offer the discount if they reject an informal challenge made within 14 days, and many councils publicly say they do. However, it's guidance rather than a hard legal rule, so always check the council's own wording.

Q. Is it worth appealing if I know I made a mistake?
A. Sometimes, yes. Even if you were technically in the wrong, councils and operators can use discretion where there were genuine mitigating circumstances (breakdown, medical emergency, blue badge issues, machine faults, etc.). A polite, honest appeal with evidence stands a better chance than people think.

Q. When should I not rely on the stop-the-clock idea?
A. Be cautious if: the company is not a BPA or IPC member; the notice has unusual deadlines or doesn't clearly offer a discount; you receive letters from debt collectors or details of a court claim – at that stage, strict court deadlines apply instead. If you're unsure, get independent advice from a consumer or motoring advice service.