Private vs Council Parking Tickets: UK Guide

Finding a ticket on your windscreen – or an envelope on the doormat – is horrible. Most people have the same questions: Is this even official? Do I really have to pay it? What happens if I ignore it?

The first step is working out what you've actually been given. In the UK there are two very different systems:

• Council Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) – statutory fines backed by law
• Private Parking Charge Notices – invoices for alleged breach of contract on private land

They look similar on purpose, but the rules, appeal routes and consequences are not the same.

This guide explains private vs council parking tickets in plain English, shows how each type is enforced and appealed, and where PCN-Beater fits in if you want help drafting a clear appeal letter.

First Step – Identify What You've Actually Received

Before you do anything – pay, appeal, or panic – identify the ticket type.

How to spot a council PCN

Council and Transport for London tickets are usually called:

• Penalty Charge Notice
• Excess Charge Notice (in a few areas)
• Bus lane Penalty Charge Notice
• Moving traffic Penalty Charge Notice (for box junctions, banned turns, etc.)

Typical clues:

• Issued by a local authority (e.g. "Birmingham City Council", "Manchester City Council", "Transport for London")
• Includes a reference to legislation such as the Traffic Management Act 2004 or London Local Authorities Acts
• Often has payment options on the council's own website
• May be stuck to the windscreen or sent by post with photos

If all the branding is council or TfL, it's almost certainly a statutory PCN.

How to spot a private parking charge

Private tickets are usually called:

• Parking Charge Notice
• Parking Charge
• Charge Notice or similar

Typical clues:

• Issued by a company, not a council – e.g. ParkingEye, Euro Car Parks, UK Parking Control
• Car park is a supermarket, retail park, fast-food restaurant, gym, hospital or residential complex
• The letter mentions trade bodies like the British Parking Association (BPA) or International Parking Community (IPC) and shows their logos
• There is no reference to council legislation – instead you'll see talk of "terms and conditions" and "breach of contract"

These are not criminal fines. They are civil demands for money for allegedly breaking the rules in a private car park.

Getting this right is crucial, because the appeal route, deadlines and risks are completely different.

Private Parking Charge Notices – Civil Debt on Private Land

Private parking tickets come from companies managing car parks on behalf of landowners. You'll see them at:

• Supermarkets and retail parks
• Fast-food drive-throughs
• Retail and leisure parks
• Hospitals and universities
• Residential developments and visitor bays

When you drive in, you're treated as accepting a contract shown on the signs – for example, "2 hours free for customers, £100 charge if you overstay".

If the company thinks you have broken those terms (overstayed, didn't pay, parked out of bay, no permit, etc.), they send a Parking Charge Notice.

Key points about private parking charges

• They are not criminal fines. They are invoices for breach of contract.
• They are usually backed by the company's membership of either the BPA or IPC, which lets them access DVLA keeper details.
• The charge is often up to £100, sometimes more, although the Government has been working on a new statutory Code of Practice to standardise charges.

How private parking appeals normally work

Each parking company sets its own first-stage procedure, but the pattern is similar:

Check the paperwork and deadlines

• The notice will say how many days you have to appeal (typically 28 days)
• Many companies ask you to appeal online via their portal

Appeal to the operator (first stage)

You explain what happened and why you think the charge should be cancelled – for example:

• Poor or hidden signage
• Machine faults or payment app problems
• You were a genuine paying customer
• Blue Badge issues or accessibility problems

You attach photos, receipts, screenshots, witness statements, etc.

Independent appeal (second stage – for trade body members)

• If the company is a BPA member, you can usually appeal to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals) if the operator rejects you
• If the company is an IPC member, the second stage is the Independent Appeals Service (IAS)

Outcome

• If your appeal is allowed, the charge should be cancelled
• If POPLA/IAS reject your appeal, the company may continue to pursue the charge, and in some cases may later issue a county court claim

POPLA decisions are binding on the operator but not legally binding on you – although ignoring the charge afterwards could still lead to a court claim.

What can happen if you don't pay a private parking charge?

If you ignore letters from a private parking company:

• You'll usually get reminder letters and then letters from debt collection agencies. Debt collectors in these cases have no more powers than the parking firm – they can't come into your home or seize goods.
• The company may issue a county court claim. If that happens, you must not ignore the claim form.
• If the court decides you owe the money and you don't pay the judgment, a County Court Judgment (CCJ) can be registered and may affect your credit file.
• Bailiffs (enforcement agents) only become involved after a court judgment is made and left unpaid.

So private tickets can escalate, but there is no automatic bailiff action without a court judgment.

Council Penalty Charge Notices – Statutory Fines

Council PCNs are different. They are civil penalties backed by law, mainly under the Traffic Management Act 2004 and associated regulations in England and Wales.

They are normally issued for:

• Parking on yellow lines or in restricted bays
• Breaking rules in council-run car parks
• Driving in bus lanes or through banned turns (moving traffic contraventions)
• Failing to pay the charge in a controlled parking zone

Authorities such as Transport for London and local councils can issue PCNs on public roads and in their own off-street car parks.

Council PCN appeal stages

The exact route can vary slightly, but in England and Wales the main stages are:

Informal challenge (for on-street PCNs stuck to the vehicle)

• If a PCN is placed on the windscreen, you can usually make an informal challenge to the council before they send a formal Notice to Owner
• Many councils will "re-offer" the 50% discount if they reject an early informal challenge, especially if you challenged within the initial 14-day discount period – but this is a matter of policy, not an absolute legal right

Notice to Owner and formal representations

• If the PCN isn't paid or cancelled, the council sends a Notice to Owner to the registered keeper
• You then have 28 days to make formal representations explaining why the charge should be cancelled

Notice of Rejection and appeal to tribunal

• If the council rejects your formal representations, they must send a Notice of Rejection
• You then have the right to appeal to an independent tribunal: London Tribunals for London authorities and Transport for London, or Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT) for most councils outside London
• These tribunals are independent of councils and free for motorists to use

Tribunal decision

• If the tribunal allows your appeal, the PCN is cancelled
• If it is refused, you normally have 28 days to pay the full charge

What happens if you ignore a council PCN?

The enforcement path is much tougher than for private tickets:

• Charge Certificate – If you don't pay or appeal in time, the council can issue a Charge Certificate. The penalty usually increases by 50%.
• Order for Recovery – If the Charge Certificate is ignored, the council can register the debt at the Traffic Enforcement Centre (a county court unit) and send an Order for Recovery plus a statutory declaration form.
• Bailiff enforcement – If there is still no response, the council can instruct enforcement agents (bailiffs) to recover the debt. Bailiffs have legal powers to visit your property and may add substantial fees.

So while private vs council parking tickets may look similar, the risk of bailiffs and forced recovery is mainly with council PCNs, not with standard private charges.

Discounts, Deadlines, and Small Print – Where the Systems Differ

Council PCN discounts

For most council PCNs in England and Wales:

• You have 28 days to pay the full charge
• If you pay within 14 days (or 21 days for some postal or moving-traffic PCNs), the council must offer a discount – usually 50% off the full amount
• Many councils will re-offer the discount period after rejecting an early informal challenge, but you should always check your own PCN and council website
• Scotland and Northern Ireland have similar systems with their own regulations

Private parking discounts

For private parking charges:

• The BPA and IPC Codes of Practice say that if a discount for early payment is offered, it should normally be at least 40% off the full charge and available for at least 14 days from the date of issue
• However, private firms are not under the same statutory duty as councils. The discount and time frame are set by the operator and its trade body rules.
• Most well-known companies still mirror the council system with a 14-day discount window, but you must check the small print on your notice.

The key takeaway: never assume the rules are identical. Always read your own notice and act before the deadlines.

Keepers, Drivers and the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

With council PCNs, the authority can pursue the registered keeper as part of the statutory enforcement process.

With private parking charges, it depends.

Keeper liability on private land

In England and Wales, Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA) allows certain private parking operators to hold the registered keeper liable for the charge if:

• The land is "relevant land" (for example, not a public highway or some other excluded categories)
• The company follows strict rules about the wording and timing of the Notice to Driver and Notice to Keeper
• They can show there was a contract with the driver and a breach of terms

If the company does not comply with PoFA (or the land is not "relevant land"), they can only pursue the driver, not the keeper – although in practice some still write to keepers and ask them to pay.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, PoFA keeper liability does not apply in the same way, so companies generally need to pursue the driver rather than the keeper.

Because this area is technical, many drivers choose to get advice from organisations like Citizens Advice or National Debtline if they're unsure.

How to Decide Your Next Step – Private vs Council

Once you know what type of ticket you have, you can decide what to do next.

If it's a private parking charge

Consider:

• Were the signs clear? Were they visible when you entered and parked? Did they clearly state the charge for breaking the rules?
• Was there a genuine mistake or technical issue? Machine not working, app failure, registration entered incorrectly, queue to pay, blue badge not accepted, etc.
• Do you have evidence? Photos of signs and markings, proof of payment or receipts, screenshots from payment apps, witness statements.

You can then:

• Decide whether to pay at the discounted amount if you accept the breach; or
• Send a calm, evidence-based appeal within the operator's deadline;
• If rejected, decide whether to take it to POPLA or IAS (if available) or seek further advice.

If it's a council PCN

Check:

• Exactly what contravention is alleged – e.g. "parked after the expiry of paid for time", "stopped in a bus lane".
• Signs and road markings – are they present, clear and compliant?
• Mitigating circumstances – e.g. medical emergency, broken down vehicle, sudden illness, or official permission.

You can then:

• Make an informal challenge quickly (for on-street PCNs).
• If a Notice to Owner arrives, send formal representations within 28 days.
• If those are rejected and you still believe the PCN is wrong, consider appealing to London Tribunals or the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.

Whatever you choose, don't miss deadlines – they are strict, especially for council tickets.

Where PCN-Beater Fits Into the Picture

Dealing with parking tickets is stressful and time-consuming. Many drivers want to appeal but:

• Aren't sure what to say
• Worry about using the wrong words
• Don't have a printer or time to post letters

That's where PCN-Beater comes in.

PCN-Beater:

• Collects your details online – you upload photos of your ticket and explain what happened in plain English.
• Uses AI to draft a personalised appeal letter based on your information and the type of ticket (private vs council).
• Formats and prints the letter, including your evidence where possible.
• Posts it 1st Class to the council or parking company on your behalf – all for £6.99.

You stay fully in control:

• The appeal is made in your name.
• You decide whether to proceed, based on your own situation and risk tolerance.
• We don't contact the council or company directly as your representative – we simply prepare and send your letter.

We do not guarantee success, and we don't give individual legal advice. But we can help you put your case across clearly, politely and on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a private parking ticket the same as a council fine?

No. A private parking ticket is usually a Parking Charge Notice – a civil claim for breaching the terms of a private car park. A council ticket is a Penalty Charge Notice – a statutory penalty backed by specific laws and enforced through a legal process if unpaid.

Can a private parking company send bailiffs?

Not on its own. A private company would first need to take you to county court and win a judgment. You then fail to pay the judgment. Only then could they apply for enforcement action such as bailiffs. Debt collectors who send letters before court do not have bailiff powers.

Do I lose the discount if I appeal a council PCN?

For most on-street council PCNs, if you make an informal challenge within the 14-day discount period, many councils will re-offer the discount if they reject your challenge – but this is based on policy rather than an absolute legal right. Always read your PCN carefully or check the council's website.

Do I lose the discount if I appeal a private parking charge?

It depends on the company. Many operators "freeze" the discounted amount while they review your appeal, especially if you appeal within their 14-day discount period, but it isn't guaranteed in the same way as council tickets. Check the wording on your notice or website.

Can a parking ticket affect my credit score?

A council PCN on its own does not appear on your credit file. A private parking charge only affects your credit score if: the company takes you to court, the court orders you to pay, and you don't pay the judgment within one month – at that point a CCJ can be recorded.

Do I have to say who was driving?

For council PCNs, the registered keeper is responsible under the enforcement process; naming the driver is not usually required. For private parking charges in England and Wales: if the company has fully complied with the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, they can often pursue the keeper if the driver is not named. If they have not complied, or the land is not covered by PoFA, they may only be able to pursue the actual driver. This is a technical area, so if you're unsure, consider getting independent advice.

Is it worth appealing a parking ticket in the UK?

That depends on the facts. Industry and tribunal data show that many appeals do succeed, especially where signs are unclear, paperwork is wrong, or mitigating circumstances exist. But no one can guarantee an outcome. A good appeal is honest, supported by evidence, polite and to the point, and submitted within the deadlines.

Does using a template letter hurt my chances?

Authorities and companies are mainly interested in facts and evidence, not whether your letter started from a template. What matters is that the letter matches your actual situation, you add your own details, dates and evidence, and you meet the deadlines. PCN-Beater creates a customised letter based on what you tell us, so it is not a generic "copy and paste" complaint.

Final Thoughts

Private vs council parking tickets may look similar, but:

• One is an invoice for an alleged contract breach on private land.
• The other is a statutory penalty backed by traffic law.

Understanding which one you've got is the first step to dealing with it calmly.

• If it's private, think about signage, payment problems and your evidence.
• If it's council, think about contravention details, road markings and the formal appeal stages.

If you'd like help turning your story and evidence into a clear, professional-looking letter – and having it printed and posted 1st Class for you – you can start an appeal with PCN-Beater for £6.99.

You stay in control. We just help you put your best case forward, on time.

Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and is based on publicly available UK sources at the time of writing. It is not legal advice and can't cover every situation. PCN-Beater is a document-preparation and letter-posting service, not a law firm or legal representative. If you need advice on the legal merits of your case, or you're facing court action or bailiff enforcement, you should speak to a qualified legal professional or an advice charity such as Citizens Advice or National Debtline.