How Long Do Parking Companies Have to Take You to Court?

One of the most common questions from motorists facing a parking charge is how long the company can keep chasing them. The answer involves several different time limits, and understanding each one can make the difference between paying and defending successfully.

The Short Answer

Under the Limitation Act 1980, a private parking company has 6 years from the date of the alleged contravention to issue a County Court claim. In practice, most companies that intend to pursue a case do so within 12 to 18 months. However, other time limits are far shorter and far more important.

The 6-Year Limitation Period

Section 5 of the Limitation Act 1980 provides that an action founded on simple contract cannot be brought after the expiration of six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued. Since a private parking charge is a contractual claim, the six-year clock starts from the date you allegedly parked in breach of the terms.

After six years, the claim is statute-barred, meaning the company can no longer enforce it through the courts even if the original charge was valid. However, be aware that acknowledging the debt or making a partial payment can restart the limitation period.

The 14-Day NTK Rule

This is arguably the most important time limit. Under Schedule 4 of POFA 2012, if the parking company cannot prove who was driving, they must serve a Notice to Keeper on the registered keeper within 14 days of the alleged contravention.

If they miss this 14-day window, they lose the right to transfer liability to the keeper under the Act. This is one of the most commonly used defence arguments and one of the most effective.

The Typical Timeline

In practice, the progression usually looks like this:

Many cases never reach the court stage. The majority of parking companies use debt collection letters as a pressure tactic and discontinue their claims when faced with a structured defence.

What Resets the Clock

Be careful about actions that can restart or extend time limits:

This is why it is generally advisable not to contact the parking company unless you have a clear strategic reason for doing so.

What to Do If Threatened

If you receive a Letter Before Claim or a court claim form:

If you are unsure about your position, use our AI defence assessment to check whether the company has met all the required time limits.