There are two main types of parking tickets.
A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) or a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) is an “official” parking ticket. This is the sort of ticket that police and traffic wardens give out when you park somewhere you shouldn’t.
A private parking ticket – also known as a parking charge notice – is the sort of ticket that private organisations give out.
So how much is a parking ticket? The price of an “official” PCN or FPN will vary depending on where you are in the UK. Some offences also carry harsher fines than others. As an example, parking fines in London range from £80 to £130, depending on the offence. But most councils will allow you to pay half the fine if you pay within 14 days.
The price of a private parking ticket will depend on the landowner but in 2022 new rules set out by the Government means that Private car park operators in England, Scotland and Wales will no longer be able to issue parking tickets above £50 in the majority of circumstances. These changes are to be in place by the end of 2023.
How To Pay a Parking Ticket
Depending on your parking offence, you might get a PCN or an FPN in person, from a police officer or traffic warden. Or you might receive it in the post.
In either case, you’ll find instructions on the PCN or FPN itself on how to pay your parking fine. It’s easiest to pay online. Here’s the guidance on how to pay for parking offences.
Private organisations should also make it clear how they expect you to pay. They may leave instructions on a notice they place on your windscreen about how you should pay. In some cases, it may be possible to pay for a private parking ticket in person – such as at a kiosk in a car park, or inside a shop or a restaurant.
If a private landowner hasn’t given you clear instructions on how to pay for your parking ticket, then get in touch to let them know. They should then advise you on your next steps.
How Do I Pay A Parking Ticket If I Lost It
If you lose your parking ticket, contact whoever issued the ticket to find out how to pay.
This could be your local council, a car park, or a private organisation or landowner.
How Long Can You Be Chased For a Parking Ticket
If it’s an “PCN” or “FPN”, they’ll probably chase you for as long as it takes you to pay the ticket.
It’s in your best interests to pay the ticket as soon as possible. As we mentioned above, you can make a saving if you pay the ticket within 14 days. But if you don’t pay the ticket within 28 days, you may find that you get an additional fine of 50% of the initial cost of the ticket.
And if you ignore a ticket for too long, you might receive a court summons in the post. The cost of defending yourself in court could be much greater than the price of the parking fine. So pay your fine as soon as possible!
You can appeal a PCN or an FPN if you feel it’s unfair. Head here to read the government’s guide to challenging parking tickets.
As far as private parking tickets go, once again it depends on the organisation. Private companies do not have a legal right to enforce parking fines. But they do have a legal right to pursue any money they think they’re owed.
Ignore a private parking fine, and the organisation might eventually take you to court. This is a big risk. While the court might rule in your favour, they might not. So you may end up paying a lot more than the price of the ticket. And even if the court does weigh in your favour, defending yourself in court is still a costly, time-consuming, and immensely stressful experience.
This is why it’s best not to ignore private parking tickets. If you feel you have a case then you can still make a challenge your private parking ticket.
Can Parking Tickets Affect Car Insurance?
You could get points on your licence for certain serious parking offences, for example for leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position. But a standard FPN or PCN is unlikely to affect the price of your insurance.
But you’ll never get points on your licence for private parking disputes. So whether you decide to pay it, ignore it, or challenge it, a private parking ticket will not affect the price of your car or van insurance.
