What Happens If...?
Every parking charge situation is different. Select the scenario below that matches yours to find out exactly what happens next, what your rights are, and what action to take.
All information is specific to private parking charges in England and Wales, referencing the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, BPA and IPC codes of practice, and relevant case law.
What happens if I ignore a private parking charge?
If you ignore a private parking charge, the parking company will typically escalate through reminder letters, a Notice to Keeper, debt collector involvement, and potentially a County Court claim.
What happens if I don't pay a parking ticket UK?
If you do not pay a private parking ticket in the UK, the parking company may escalate the matter through debt collectors and potentially file a County Court claim.
What happens if I ignore a debt collector letter for a parking charge?
If you ignore a debt collector letter for a parking charge, they will likely send further letters with increasingly urgent language.
What happens if I miss the appeal deadline?
If you miss the appeal deadline for a private parking charge, you lose the opportunity to appeal directly to the parking company at the reduced rate.
What happens if I don't respond to a county court claim?
If you do not respond to a County Court claim for a parking charge within the deadline, the court will enter a default judgment against you.
What happens if I lose a parking court case?
If you lose a parking charge court case on the small claims track, you will be ordered to pay the parking charge plus the court issue fee and any hearing fee the claimant paid.
What happens if I pay after a court claim is filed?
If you pay the parking charge after a County Court claim is filed, you may still owe the court fees the parking company paid to issue the claim.
What happens if I wasn't the driver?
If you were not the driver when the parking charge was incurred, the parking company can only hold you liable as the registered keeper if they strictly complied with the keeper liability provisions of POFA 2012.
What happens if I sold my car before the PCN?
If you sold your car before the parking charge was incurred, you are neither the driver nor the registered keeper at the time of the alleged contravention.
What happens if the parking company got my registration wrong?
If the parking company recorded your vehicle registration number incorrectly on the PCN, this may invalidate the charge.
What happens if the PCN was sent to my old address?
If the PCN or Notice to Keeper was sent to your old address, you may not have received it in time to appeal or respond.
What happens if my parking appeal is rejected?
If your appeal to the parking company is rejected, you have the right to escalate to an independent appeals service.
What happens if POPLA rules against me?
If POPLA rules against you, the parking company will resume pursuing the charge.
What happens if the parking company goes bust?
If the parking company goes into administration or liquidation, the outstanding parking charge may be sold to another company or written off entirely.
What happens if I have multiple parking charges?
If you have multiple parking charges, each charge is a separate civil claim that must be pursued individually.
Not sure what to do next?
Answer a few questions about your parking charge and we will generate a professional defence document tailored to your situation. Grounded in POFA 2012 and relevant case law.
Start Your Defence