Finding a parking penalty on your car can be very annoying, especially if you're not sure what you did wrong or if you really have to pay it. Experts say some fines are valid, but others can be challenged and might not need to be paid, depending on who gave the fine and if they followed the rules.

The consumer group Which? says the number of private parking fines is going up. They found that car park companies asked for vehicle owner details from the DVLA over 5 million times in the first half of 2023, and 600,000 more times in the second half.

More recent numbers show this trend is continuing, with the RAC saying around 7.2 million requests were made in just six months leading up to September 2024. This means private parking companies might give out around 14 million fines per year in Britain.

Here's how to challenge a parking fine.

Which? has explained how drivers can challenge certain parking tickets and how to do it. In a video, they said some tickets can be thrown away, and others can be disputed.

You can appeal a fine if the signs are not clear, if you're charged too much, or if you have a good reason like being sick or your car breaking down.

The big question is if the parking company is part of a recognized trade group like the British Parking Association or the International Parking Community.

If it's not, you can ignore the fine because they can't get your details to make you pay. If they are part of a group, you should write an appeal letter with evidence and photos of bad signs.

For companies in the British Parking Association, you have 28 days to appeal to Parking on Private Land Appeals if your first appeal is rejected. For the International Parking Community, you have 21 days to take it to the Independent Appeals Service.

Then, if the independent adjudicator disagrees with you, your last option is to go to court. But if you lose, you'll have to pay the company's legal costs too.

Which? offers free template letters on its website for drivers who want to challenge a parking fine.

In April 2025, the RAC said private parking companies are on track to give out a record 14.5 million fines to drivers in Britain in one year.

The RAC found that just five companies gave out almost half of all tickets. In the six months before September 2024, parking companies asked the DVLA for vehicle details 7.2 million times.