What happens if the parking company got my registration wrong?
Last updated: June 2025 · 8 min read
If the parking company recorded your vehicle registration number incorrectly on the PCN, this may invalidate the charge. An incorrect registration can mean the parking company cannot identify the correct vehicle or keeper, which undermines their entire claim. However, minor typographical errors may not be enough to invalidate the charge on their own.
- --A wrong registration may mean the DVLA returned the wrong keeper's details
- --Minor typos (e.g. one letter wrong) may not invalidate the charge on their own
- --A completely wrong registration number is a strong defence
- --Check ANPR photos for evidence of the error
Key Takeaways
- An incorrect registration number on the PCN undermines the parking company's ability to identify the driver or keeper.
- If the wrong registration was used for the DVLA enquiry, the wrong person may have been contacted entirely.
- ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) errors are more common than many people realise.
- Even a minor error can be part of a wider challenge to the parking company's evidence.
- Request the ANPR images to verify whether your vehicle was actually present.
What Applies to You
If the registration on the PCN does not match your vehicle
The parking company may have identified the wrong vehicle entirely.
Write to the parking company pointing out the error and requesting the charge be cancelled.
Low urgencyIf the error is a minor typo (one digit or letter)
The parking company may argue it was a typographical error. This weakens but may not eliminate the charge.
Request the ANPR images to check whether your vehicle matches the photographs.
Act soonIf you have already received a court claim with the wrong registration
The error in the claim form may be grounds for striking out the claim or defending it.
Include the registration error as part of your defence to the court claim.
UrgentTypes of Registration Errors
Registration errors range from a single incorrect character (often caused by ANPR misreads, such as confusing O with 0, or I with 1) to entirely wrong registration numbers. The significance of the error depends on whether it affected the DVLA keeper enquiry and whether the parking company can still prove that your vehicle was the one that incurred the charge.
Requesting ANPR Evidence
Under data protection law (UK GDPR), you have the right to request any personal data the parking company holds about you, including ANPR images. Submit a Subject Access Request to obtain the photographs. These images will show the vehicle and its registration plate, which can confirm whether an error occurred and whether your vehicle was actually present.
Need help building your defence?
Answer the QuestionnaireUsing a Registration Error in Your Defence
A registration error can form part of a defence, particularly if it calls into question the reliability of the parking company's evidence. If the ANPR system misread the plate, what else might it have got wrong? If the DVLA enquiry was made against the wrong registration, the wrong keeper was contacted. Courts take evidential accuracy seriously, and a parking company that cannot reliably identify the vehicle has a weakened case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a wrong registration an automatic defence?
Not always. A minor typo may be treated by a court as an obvious error if the parking company has other evidence (such as ANPR images) clearly showing your vehicle. A completely wrong registration is a much stronger defence.
Can the parking company correct the error and reissue the charge?
They may attempt to, but they must still comply with the time limits in POFA 2012. If the correction means the Notice to Keeper is now out of time, keeper liability cannot be established.
What if I was parked there but they got my registration wrong?
Even if you were parked there, the parking company must prove its case with accurate evidence. If the registration is wrong, their evidence is compromised. However, in court, a judge may take a pragmatic view if the error is trivial and other evidence is clear.
How common are ANPR errors?
ANPR errors are more common than the parking industry acknowledges. Cameras can misread characters in poor lighting, at certain angles, or with dirty or damaged plates. This is a recognised issue in the industry.
Should I point out the error or stay quiet?
If you have received correspondence clearly addressed to the wrong registration, pointing it out may lead the parking company to cancel the charge. However, if you want to avoid helping them correct the error, you are under no obligation to assist them in building their case.
Don't pay until you know your rights
Our defence documents are grounded in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims. Customers have used these arguments to get charges dropped and claims discontinued.
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FightMyPCN is a document preparation service, not a law firm. The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. If you are unsure about your position, consider seeking independent legal advice.