CarParkLetterAppeal letters for private parking charges

How to appeal a Smart Parking parking charge

Smart Parking was one of the five companies making the most DVLA keeper data requests in the first half of 2024/25, according to RAC analysis of DVLA data. Some older guides send Smart Parking appeals to POPLA. On 26 Oct 2026 Smart Parking Limited was on the IPC register, not the BPA one. Your rejection letter should name the right body.

Who Smart Parking answers to

Smart Parking is listed on the International Parking Community Accredited Operator Scheme register (checked 26 Oct 2026). If Smart Parking rejects your appeal, the next stage is the Independent Appeals Service (IAS). You must appeal to the operator first. You have 28 days from the rejection date for a standard IAS appeal. If you pay, you can no longer appeal to the IAS.

Check your notice first

  • Who drove? If you are the registered keeper, you do not have to name the driver. If you name the driver, you lose the keeper liability argument.
  • Date on the notice. For camera (ANPR) charges with no windscreen ticket, the Notice to Keeper must be delivered within 14 days, starting the day after the parking period ended. Post is presumed delivered on the second working day after posting. (POFA Schedule 4, para 9.)
  • Required wording. The notice must include set information, such as the period of parking, the warning that the keeper may be liable if the charge is unpaid after 28 days and the date sent. Missing items can mean the operator cannot hold the keeper liable.
  • Time on site. The Single Code sets a minimum consideration period (5 or 10 minutes, depending on the site) and a 10-minute grace period. There is no grace period in short stay areas of 30 minutes or less.
  • Signs. Check the entrance and terms signs were there, visible, and showed the charge. Take photos.

Steps

  1. Appeal to Smart Parking within 28 days. The Single Code says charges may be appealed within 28 days.
  2. Keep copies of everything.
  3. If rejected, use the code in the rejection letter to go to the IAS stage.

The new government Code

A government Private Parking Code of Practice was laid in Parliament on 20 October 2026. It is not yet in force. It comes into force 21 days after it is issued, which follows a 40-day scrutiny period.

Check your Smart Parking notice and build your letter

Important

Not legal advice. CarParkLetter is run by Pricing Logic Limited. We provide templates and general information only. We are not solicitors. Check your letter before you send it.

No guarantee of success. Outcomes depend on the facts, the evidence, the operator and the appeals body. If an appeal fails you may still have to pay, possibly without the early payment discount.

Sources

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Appeal a Smart Parking parking charge | CarParkLetter