Why these charges get issued at all
Payment systems and ANPR cameras do not always talk to each other perfectly. A charge can be triggered even though you paid: the payment took a moment to register, there was a mismatch between the machine and the camera system, or somebody simply made a mistake.
None of that is your problem. You paid, so you were entitled to park.
The evidence that proves it
- Your parking receipt, whether from the machine, an app or online (RingGo, JustPark, PayByPhone and similar)
- A bank or card statement showing the payment to the operator
- An app screenshot showing the session, the vehicle, the location and the times
How to challenge
- Gather your proof of payment
- Check the charge notice for the appeal deadline, and appeal within it
- State plainly that payment was made, attach the evidence, and require cancellation
- If the operator rejects it anyway, escalate to the independent adjudicator: POPLA for BPA operators, the IAS for IPC operators
Paid, but mistyped your registration?
That is a slightly different argument. Where you paid in good faith but got one character of the registration wrong, the point is that a genuine keying error caused the operator no loss, rather than that no payment was made. The evidence you gather is the same, and the payment itself should still be the centrepiece.
Payment Made Template
A ready-to-edit appeal letter that puts your proof of payment front and centre and requires cancellation. £15.
Related: the private parking challenge guide covers the full process, and if your appeal has been rejected, see how to appeal to POPLA.
The letter for this
Payment Made. Proof of Valid Parking Session
Written for this specific ground, with the law cited and the evidence demands built in. Complete the placeholders and send it.
Included free with the letter
- You Paid and Still Got a Charge
Frequently asked questions
I paid for parking but still got a ticket. What do I do?
Gather your proof of payment, check the appeal deadline on the charge notice, and appeal within it, stating plainly that payment was made and attaching the evidence. Where the evidence matches the charge on date, time, location and amount, this is one of the most straightforward grounds there is.
What counts as proof of payment?
A parking receipt from the machine, app or website (RingGo, JustPark, PayByPhone and similar), a bank or card statement showing the payment to the operator, or an app screenshot showing the session, vehicle, location and times. The strongest evidence shows date, time, location and amount, ideally with the vehicle registration, all matching the charge. Even one clear receipt is usually enough.
Why do these charges get issued if I paid?
Payment systems and ANPR cameras do not always talk to each other reliably. A charge can be triggered because the payment took a moment to register, because of a mismatch between the machine and the camera system, or through plain operator error. None of that is your problem: you paid, so you were entitled to park.
I paid but typed my registration wrong. Is that the same thing?
It is a slightly different argument. Where you paid in good faith but mistyped a character of your registration, the point is that a genuine keying error caused the operator no loss, rather than that no payment was made. The evidence you gather is the same, and it is worth making the payment itself the centrepiece.
What if the operator rejects my appeal anyway?
Escalate to the independent adjudicator: POPLA for BPA member operators, the IAS for IPC members. Proof of payment is a strong ground at that stage too, and escalation is free.
Grounds drawn from Don't Pay That's verified private-parking reference. Escalation to POPLA (BPA operators) or the IAS (IPC operators). Last checked 18 July 2026.