How to challenge a parking fine or penalty charge notice and win
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Not all tickets are the same - if you think a fine was issued unfairly, what you need to do depends on who issued it. Parking tickets can be confusing as the two main types are both often abbreviated to PCN and are yellow chequered in appearance, says the British Parking Association (BPA), one of the main trade bodies.
![[Rupert Jones]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2022/08/30/Rupert_Jones.png?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
A penalty charge notice is usually issued by a council and is given for a parking infringement on public land such as a high street or council car park. Meanwhile, a private parking company or landowner will give you a parking charge notice. You might get one, for example, if you parked for too long in a supermarket car park.
![[Parking charge notice ticket]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/bc6933d2c85f3253eeabb104dac017b736afc1d8/0_400_6000_3600/master/6000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
(There are two other types of “official” parking fine: some councils issue excess charge notices that apply to public land, while the police among others can issue fixed-penalty notices for things such as parking on a red route.). If you have been issued with a parking ticket that you think is unfair, what can you do to challenge it?.
![[Parking charge notice]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/aa09d2dcc2ef5addd3590fa1a991f5f11bb4aeb4/0_337_6709_4025/master/6709.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
One of the first things to do is to make sure all the details on the ticket are correct, as it could be void if there is a mistake. For example, check the location and time match up with where you were parked. If you plan to appeal, gather your evidence. If a ticket is on the windscreen when you get back to your car, take contemporaneous photos of signs and road markings, particularly if they are unclear, or take pictures of where they should be if they are missing.
