Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our parking ticket appeal service
What types of parking tickets can you help with?
We help with both private parking tickets (PCNs) from companies like ParkingEye, Euro Car Parks, Smart Parking, and council parking tickets (Penalty Charge Notices). Our service provides professionally drafted first-stage appeal letters sent directly to the parking operator or council. For private tickets rejected at first stage, you can self-escalate to POPLA using the reference number provided by the parking company. For council tickets, we assist with the initial representation only (tribunal appeals would need to be handled separately). We work with most UK parking fines including overstaying, no valid ticket displayed, parking in restricted areas, and more.
What's the difference between a council PCN and a private Parking Charge Notice?
Council PCNs (Penalty Charge Notices)
Issued by councils, Transport for London and some other public bodies on public roads and council-run car parks. Treated as a civil penalty. You normally have 28 days to challenge and 14 days to pay at a reduced rate – but always check your own ticket.
Private Parking Charge Notices
Issued by private companies on private land, like supermarket, retail park or hospital car parks. Citizens Advice explains that these are not criminal fines – they're invoices claiming you owe money under a contract with the landowner, and they can only be enforced through the civil courts.
Both types can often be challenged if something is wrong with the signs, the paperwork, the evidence or the way you were treated.
Do I have a right to appeal my ticket?
In the UK, you can usually challenge a parking ticket – but the process depends on who issued it.
Council Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) – Government guidance says you normally have 28 days to challenge a council PCN. If you challenge within 14 days and your challenge is rejected, you may still only have to pay 50% of the fine, but you should always check what your own notice says.
Private parking tickets (Parking Charge Notices) – On private land, your ticket is usually a Parking Charge Notice from a private company. The back of the notice explains how to appeal and when you must do it.
The safest thing to do is always read the back of your ticket and follow the appeal instructions there. PCN-Beater then helps you turn your facts and evidence into a clear appeal letter.
Is using your service legal?
Absolutely. You can usually challenge parking tickets in the UK - the process depends on who issued it. For council tickets, government guidance explains your challenge rights. For private tickets on relevant land, the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 sets rules that operators must follow, and appeal processes are set by trade body rules (BPA or IPC). We simply help you draft and send your appeal letter faster and more professionally. We are a document preparation service, not a law firm.
What are my chances of winning an appeal?
We can't promise that any parking ticket will be cancelled – nobody honestly can.
What we can say is that industry data shows appeals are worth trying, especially where the ticket is unfair or the paperwork is weak:
- British Parking Association figures for 2024 show that 52% of appeals made directly to private parking operators in its Approved Operator Scheme were successful.
- RAC analysis of POPLA found that around 42% of private land appeals in 2022–23 ended with the charge being cancelled.
PCN-Beater doesn't give legal advice and can't guarantee any outcome. Our job is to help you put together a clear, well-structured letter that explains what happened, highlights any evidence problems, and follows the appeal stage described on your ticket.
Do you guarantee my appeal will be successful?
No. We cannot guarantee your appeal will be successful because the final decision is made by the parking company or adjudicator. What we guarantee is instant delivery of your professionally-drafted letter via email. If you choose the Print & Post add-on, we guarantee posting within 48 hours. Success depends on the specific circumstances of your ticket, the evidence you provide, and the parking company's review process.
What is your money-back guarantee?
If we cannot generate a valid appeal letter for your parking ticket, we will process your refund on the same business day you request it.
What counts as a "valid appeal letter"? A letter that addresses the correct legal framework for your ticket type, references relevant UK legislation, is personalized with your details, and is formatted correctly for submission.
What's NOT covered? We cannot offer refunds if your appeal is unsuccessful (we don't control the outcome), if you simply change your mind after receiving your letter, or if you provided incorrect or illegible ticket information. We also don't support tickets from outside England, Wales, or Scotland.
Full details are in our Terms of Service.
Will I lose my 14-day discount if I appeal?
It depends on who issued the ticket and when you appeal, so always check the back of your notice. For council PCNs, government guidance says you usually have 28 days to challenge. For private parking tickets with BPA-approved operators, the British Parking Association's Code of Practice says that if you appeal within the first 14 days, the charge should be frozen at the discounted rate. In practice, rules can vary especially for non-accredited companies, so read the back of your ticket carefully and appeal within the time limits it gives.
What if I need to appeal to POPLA or a tribunal?
If your first-stage appeal is rejected, you may be able to escalate to an independent appeals body. For private parking tickets from BPA member operators, second-stage appeals go to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals). For IPC members, appeals go to IAS (Independent Appeals Service). For council PCNs, appeals go to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (outside London) or London Tribunals (London). We support both first-stage and second-stage appeals for all these bodies.
What if it's a hire car, lease car or company vehicle?
If your ticket is for a hire, lease or company vehicle, there are extra rules. For private parking tickets, Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 sets conditions that must be met before the parking company can pursue the hirer or keeper. When you use PCN-Beater, our questions will ask whether your ticket is for a hire, lease or company car and whether those documents were included. This can be a powerful defense if the operator hasn't followed the rules.
Why do you need front AND back photos of my ticket?
Many UK parking operators print critical appeal information ONLY on the back of tickets - especially the appeal address. Without the back photo, we might miss essential details needed to send your appeal to the correct address. Our AI analyzes both sides simultaneously to ensure nothing is missed. This comprehensive approach significantly improves data accuracy and ensures your appeal reaches the right department.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) through our secure Stripe payment gateway. We do not store your card details - all payments are processed securely through Stripe's PCI-compliant infrastructure.