CarParkLetterAppeal letters for private parking charges

Overstayed in a supermarket or retail car park

Supermarket and retail park car parks often allow free parking for a set time, enforced by ANPR cameras. A charge usually means the cameras recorded a stay longer than the limit.

Check the time first

  • The Single Code requires a consideration period on arrival (5 minutes for most free car parks under 500 spaces, 10 minutes for free car parks over 500 spaces) and a grace period of at least 10 minutes after the time limit (clause 5 and Annex B). There is no grace period in short stay areas of 30 minutes or less. See grace periods.
  • Work out your stay from the camera times on the notice, then take off the consideration and grace periods.
  • Two visits on the same day can be recorded as one long stay if a camera misses you leaving. See ANPR double dip.

Reasons the Single Code recognises

  • Onset of illness, or a delay caused by childcare arrangements: reduction to £20 for 14 days with evidence (Annex F.3 b).
  • The vehicle broke down: reduction to £20 for 14 days with evidence (Annex F.3 c). A recovery vehicle collecting a broken-down car must not be charged (Annex F.1 c).
  • Payment machines out of order with no other way to pay: reduction to £20 for 14 days (Annex F.3 f).

Evidence to send

  • Your till receipt, which shows you were a customer and the time you paid.
  • Photos of the signs, especially if the time limit was not clear at the entrance. See signage appeals.
  • Anything showing a breakdown or illness, such as a recovery call record.

Steps

  1. Appeal to the operator within 28 days, giving the times and your evidence.
  2. If rejected, go to POPLA or the IAS. See IAS or POPLA.

Common questions

I was only a few minutes over. Is that allowed?

Under the Single Code you should have a consideration period on arrival and a grace period of at least 10 minutes at the end. If your overstay is within those, say so in your appeal.

Does a till receipt prove I was not overstaying?

It shows you were a customer and when you paid. It does not show when you left, but it can support an argument about the timeline or a double visit.

Check your notice and build your letter

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. When it is, it will replace the Single Code and include a mandatory 5-minute consideration period and a 10-minute grace period. Until then, the Single Code applies.

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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Overstayed in a supermarket or retail car park | CarParkLetter