Car Parking Fines

Parking tickets are issued by the the local authority and are called 'Penalty Charge Notices'. They require payment of a penalty, and do not result in a criminal record or points on a driving licence. They are separate from Fixed Penalty Notices, issued for criminal offences by the Police and Traffic Wardens.

Penalty Charge Notices are issued when a driver parks a vehicle in contravention of the regulations. In addition the vehicle may also be removed to the local authority car pound. They can be issued for parking on yellow lines, on double yellow lines or red routes at times that are not permitted. There should usually be a plate attached to a post at the side of the road to inform you of the hours when parking is not allowed. They can also be issued for illegal parking such as in a bus lane, wholely or partly on the pavement or grass verges etc. It is also illegal to park on the crossover from the road to a property's driveway, even if it's your driveway!

How to avoid paying Penalty Charge Notices

The best option is to ensure that you only park where and when you're allowed. Illegal parking often inconveniences other road users. There are strict rules about the signs and road markings required and local authorities are often lax in ensuring that their road markings comply.

Here are some tips to avoid or beat parking fines

If the road has been re-tarmaced, and the lines not reinstated, there is a good argument that the lines are not painted in accordance with the regulations and you may be able to avoid payment.

If there is not a plate at the side of the road (eg on a lamp post) telling you when you may not park, this may also help you to avoid the parking fine.

It is normally accepted that the ticket has only been legally issued, when applied to the motor vehicle eg stuck to the windscreen. If you get there while the ticket is being issued, you may be able to drive off before it can be applied to the vehicle! If you have overstayed your time at a pay and display or parking meter, it may be worthwhile checking that the time displayed on the meter or ticket dispenser is correct.

Read the parking ticket carefully and make sure that the traffic warden has completed it correctly. Some motorists have been able to avoid the parking fine where the warden has not completed the parking ticket correctly eg incorrect vehicle details, incorrect location (wrong road).

If you get a parking ticket, you usually get 14 days to pay at a reduced rate or if you're taken to court you will end up having to pay more.