GOV.UK says that if a private operator rejects an appeal, a further independent appeals service may be available: POPLA for British Parking Association operators and the IAS for International Parking Community operators.
Start with the notice and the site
- Who is the parking operator?
- Is it a member of the BPA or IPC?
- Was the notice attached to the vehicle or sent by post?
- What conduct is said to have breached the parking terms?
- What do the entrance and on-site signs actually say?
- Was payment made through a machine or app?
- Was there a permit, customer entitlement or landowner authorisation?
- Do ANPR entry and exit times tell the whole story about actual parking time?
Evidence matters more than templates
POPLA's current guidance tells appellants to provide their evidence up front and use their own words. Typical evidence can include payment records, parking-app receipts, photographs and evidence of exceptional circumstances such as a breakdown or medical emergency.
POPLA
If the operator is a member of the British Parking Association Approved Operator Scheme and rejects your first appeal, it should normally issue a POPLA verification code. POPLA's current material says the appeal must usually reach it within 28 days of the operator's rejection.
IAS
If the operator is a member of the International Parking Community, the relevant independent appeals route is generally the Independent Appeals Service. Check the rejection notice for the precise procedure and deadline.
Current private-parking regulation
The statutory private parking Code of Practice remains an evolving area. The Government consulted in 2025 on a new Code and compliance framework under the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019. The earlier 2022 Code had been withdrawn following legal challenge. For a live dispute, check current government and trade-association rules rather than relying on an old article.