Can Private Car Park Management Companies Enforce Fines? (UK)
Owning a private car park means dealing with rulebreakers - people who overstay their welcome, park in restricted zones, forget to pay, and more. Issuing penalties is key to deterring these infractions, but rules around this can be a bit confusing.
Unlike councils or police, car park management companies don’t have the authority to issue direct fines. That doesn’t mean they’re toothless; however, they can issue and enforce Parking Charge Notices (PCNs).
At Britannia Parking, we have decades of experience in car park management and enforcement. Below, we explain what PCNs are and what steps management companies can take to enforce them.
What Is a Parking Charge Notice?
A Parking Charge Notice (PCN), sometimes called a private parking ticket, is issued to someone who parks incorrectly on private property. It’s different from a ticket the local council or police might issue for parking on a public street, which is called a Penalty Charge Notice or Fixed Penalty Notice.
When a driver enters your car park, they agree to follow the displayed terms and conditions. Violating these terms (such as overstaying or parking in a disabled bay without permission) is considered a breach of contract, and the private car park management company can issue a PCN in response.
The fee charged represents the estimated losses due to the violation and may be reduced if paid promptly. For example, if a driver parks for two hours in a zone with a one-hour limit, they will receive a £30.00 fine. If they pay within 14 days, the fine is reduced to £15.00.
How Can Car Park Management Companies Enforce Parking Charge Notices?
Car park management companies have a few tools at their disposal to enforce PCNs on private land.
- If someone parks in violation, an authorised patrol officer from the management company will issue a PCN to their vehicle. This notice will clearly state the nature of the offence, the amount due, and instructions for payment.
- The PCN will come with a deadline to settle the charge. Early settlement usually comes with a standard or discounted fee, but late payments often incur significant late fees that escalate over time.
- If the PCN remains unpaid after a certain period, the car park management company may escalate the matter by involving debt collection agencies or taking it to civil court to recover the amount owed. This often results in a County Court Judgment (CCJ), which can negatively impact the driver's credit rating.
- In an unmanned car park utilising an ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system, fines are generated automatically when vehicles exceed the allowed parking duration or violate payment terms, along with unauthorised vehicles entering a private car park, as the system captures and records license plate information to enforce compliance.
While not the same as the fines issued by local authorities or the police, PCNs are still a powerful tool car park management companies can use to enforce rules and maintain order and profitability in your car park.
Talk to Britannia Parking, the UK's Leading Car Park Management Company
Britannia Parking is your one-stop shop for a stress-free car park. As the UK’s leading car park management company, we handle everything from setting up clear signage and ANPR to answering inquiries, issuing and enforcing PCNs, and managing appeals. Our mission is to keep your car park compliant and profitable, all while providing a smooth experience that keeps legitimate users satisfied and returning.
Let Britannia Parking manage your car park and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a well-run facility. Reach out to our expert team to get started today!