Getting started
Private parking charge vs council PCN
A council penalty charge notice (PCN) comes from a local authority or TfL and follows statutory appeal routes. A private parking charge comes from an operator on private land — ParkingEye, UKPC, NCP and similar — with operator appeals and often POPLA or IPC after rejection.
How to tell a UK private parking charge from a council penalty charge notice — who sent it, appeal routes, deadlines and what ParkingPack covers.
Private parking paperwork is designed to look official. Many drivers assume any ticket on the windscreen or through the post is a council fine. That mistake sends appeals to the wrong place and burns deadlines. The sender on the letter — not the amount or the word PCN — tells you which system applies.
Step-by-step overview
Use this sequence before you pay or submit your appeal. Match each step to the evidence and deadlines on your notice.
- 1Read the letterhead and sender
Council PCNs name your borough, city council, TfL or similar. Private charges name ParkingEye, UKPC, Euro Car Parks, Horizon, NCP, APCOA or another operator.
- 2Check the appeal instructions
Council tickets point to the council website or London Tribunals. Private charges point to the operator portal, parkingeye.co.uk, or POPLA/IPC after rejection.
- 3Match the wording
Council PCNs refer to contraventions, traffic orders and penalty charges. Private notices refer to parking charges, keeper liability and contract terms on private land.
- 4Use the right process
Do not send a council PCN challenge to a private operator, or a ParkingEye appeal to your council. The wrong route wastes deadlines.
Council penalty charge notices
- Issued by local authorities, TfL, or other statutory bodies
- Usually for on-street parking, bus lanes, yellow lines, or council car parks
- Appeal to the council first, then an independent adjudicator (e.g. London Tribunals or equivalent)
- Different deadlines, forms and legal basis from private parking
Private parking charges
- Issued by private operators on supermarket, retail, hospital and business car parks
- Based on contract terms and signage on private land — not criminal fines
- First appeal goes to the operator named on your notice
- After rejection, BPA members often use POPLA; IPC members use the IPC appeals route
Quick checks on your letter
- Who is named as the issuer — council authority or private company?
- Does the appeal URL go to a council site or an operator portal?
- Is the land described as private car park, retail park, or hospital site?
- Does the notice mention keeper liability or PoFA schedule 4?
What ParkingPack covers
ParkingPack helps with private parking charge appeals only — operator letters, notice to keeper paperwork, and independent scheme routes such as POPLA and IPC. It does not prepare council PCN or TfL challenges. If your letter names a council or TfL, use their official appeal process instead.
Can a private company call it a PCN?
Yes. Operators often use PCN or parking charge notice on private land. That wording alone does not make it a council ticket. Check the company name and appeal route on the letter.
I got both types — what do I do?
Treat each notice separately. A council PCN and a private charge from the same visit need different appeals, evidence and deadlines.
Does ParkingPack work on council tickets?
No. ParkingPack is for private parking operators only. Council and TfL penalties need their own statutory appeal routes.
Ready to check your charge?
Enter your notice details free — ParkingPack builds a formal appeal letter, evidence checklist and appeal points for £4.99 before you send it.