You’ve now got a one in three chance of having a private parking charge cancelled – here’s how to appeal a fine

MILLIONS of UK drivers have dodged parking fines they have received in the post after formally appealing them.

A number of private parking firms are now using digital systems, rather than tickets stuck to the windscreen, to fine drivers who break time restrictions.

Recent figures reveal parking companies requested over three million drivers' details from the DVLA last year compared to 2015/16.

One company alone requested more than 158,000 drivers details this March.

But over a third of Brits who challenged their fines across the UK had them cancelled.

More than 40 per cent of drivers who challenged their parking charges in 2017/18 with the Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA) had their fine dropped, while 25 per cent of appeals to the Independent Advice Service (IAS) were successful.

Surprisingly, London-based Spring Parking lost 93 per cent of the 376 cases which were referred to POPLA in 2017/18 - the most of any company.

When challenging a fine, get in touch with the parking firm immediately to request some time to gather evidence such as photos, receipts and tickets.

Many drivers have successfully appealed a ticket by documenting the circumstances that lead to a charge and formally submitting them by letter or email.

Some Brits even had their charges dropped after supplying photographic evidence of parking signs which may have been hidden by overgrown trees or bushes.

If you've been fined in your regular car park, double check the terms and conditions of entry as they may have changed without you being properly notified.

And if this is the case, you have the right to challenge the private firm.

Finally check if the private company is a member of one of the two parking associations - the British Parking Association or the International Parking Community.

If they aren't a member, they will not be able to get your details from the DVLA to send out the fine.

Drivers who want to take a complaint further can appeal to each association by using Resolver, a free online service which allows you to construct a formal appeal.