Motoring Discussion > Number plate query	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Rudedog	Replies: 27

New Mon 5 Nov 18 20:27   Number plate query - Rudedog

Quick one that Google failed to give a straight forward answer. Wife has just got a parking ticket issued on one of these smart car parks where it takes a picture of your reg (in and out) and then compares it with the tickets issued (you have to enter your full reg into the machine). Thing is she has got her letters transposed (a V and W so next to each other), I'm going to appeal as it was a genuine human error and she paid in full for the time used. I showed it to son and he spotted straight away that she had also entered one too many characters, so there are eight in total. Can a UK plate have eight characters? if not why would the machine allow it and could this also me grounds for an appeal? Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 5 Nov 18 20:48   Number plate query - rtj70

When I've read the notices on car parks with ANPR checks it says it is your responsibility to enter it correctly. Might be difficult to appeal but... >> Can a UK plate have eight characters? No I don't they can so it shouldn't have let you enter too many characters... but I'd not be confident you'd win an appeal. On a slight tangent... relating to Parking Eye. We probably all know PE took someone to court (for breach of contract) and now they use this to pressure people into paying. Well I know someone who got a ticket and ignored it and all correspondence. They were allowed to park there but hadn't had their number plate entered on the system that day. So PE sell the debt on and then over a year of another firm chasing, threatening and increasing the money owed. Still they ignore it. It eventually gets to the point of court - county court for small claims. The person then wants their day in court..... still letters with demands, mention of the PE court case, etc. Less than a week before the court date they phone to say tell us how much you'll pay and we'll stop. Then they write and say you owe us (say) £300 and if you pay us £100 we'll call it off. Then some form of letter is promised to them to say parking was allowed and then they do call off all court proceedings. So are these companies still bullies and chicken out at the last minute? Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 5 Nov 18 20:55   Number plate query - Zero

>> So are these companies still bullies and chicken out at the last minute? They dont have the resources to take every non payment to court. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 5 Nov 18 21:10   Number plate query - Rudedog

Well it's worth a try, I guess the clock stops when I lodge an appeal? The fine is £60 for one hours parking in Sevenoaks M&S (plus the £ for the bought ticket), madness! If the machine had rejected the characters she put in it probably would have made her think again. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 10:27   Number plate query - VxFan

>> Well it's worth a try, I guess the clock stops when I lodge an appeal? It did when I appealed against the company Smart Parking (they also trade as Town and City Parking) for serving me a PCN (Parking Charge Notice). I got loads of helpful suggestions over on moneysavingexpert. forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=163 Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 13:04   Number plate query - Rudedog

Same people. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 5 Nov 18 22:27   Number plate query - rtj70

They don't but in this case got to 7 days of the case in a county court before they started to say they'd accept less. Then nothing as long as the driver didn't pursue costs. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 5 Nov 18 21:52   Number plate query - Zero

An appeal should work, but as you have paid there is no breach of contract, so they would lose in court. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 5 Nov 18 22:05   Number plate query - CGNorwich

I think all,UK plates have seven digits but presumably the car park operator would have to allow for a car with foreign plates which can be eight or even nine for Ireland Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 5 Nov 18 22:19   Number plate query - Zero

>> I think all,UK plates have seven digits Mine has 5 An AAA Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 5 Nov 18 22:21   Number plate query - CGNorwich

Maximum of Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 5 Nov 18 22:33   Number plate query - Bromptonaut

>> Maximum of Yep. Since AAA 123A via A123 AAA to AA51 AAA max number of digits in GB is is 7. I think same in NI - eg ABZ 1234. Appreciate this is a private car park but I think where it's a Council they've been willing to accept obvious mistakes. Mrs B escaped one in Leeds where auto correct on her phone changed the initial LOV on her LOV nn personal plate to LOVE. No certainty with an appeal but it's worth a punt. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 5 Nov 18 22:44   Number plate query - CGNorwich

I would appeal. If that fails let it go to court.It will be certainly thrown out. As Zero said there was no breach of contract, the correct payment was made. No court would find for the parking co providing that there is evidence of the payment albeit for the wrong number Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 5 Nov 18 22:58   Number plate query - Rudedog

Yes I have the original dashboard ticket which I will take a photo of and attach to the appeal. I've heard that the parking companies tend to reject the first appeal as a matter of course so it would have to go the IAS. To be honest I hate those machines where you have to enter all or part of your reg number, I don't need my glasses for driving but only close up work so don't often have them with me when popping out so these keyboard things are a stab in the dark, plus the most commonly used key's print are usually worn away Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 08:06   Number plate query - Cliff Pope

, plus the most commonly used key's print are usually >> worn away >> That's how the asylum seekers got through the security fence - they spotted the most worn numbers on the entry pad and cracked the code. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 08:58   Number plate query - helicopter

May I suggest that the first course of action is to ask the M&S manager to cancel the ticket.Make it clear that you were in their store and spending money showing receipts . Alternatively try the'Fight your private parking invoice' website for correct up to date advice.There is a guy on there who will do your appeal for you for a tenner and he has a 90 percent plus success rate. The majority of these PPC's are lying bullies who try to frighten people into paying and use all sorts of tricks to threaten legal action . Do not however ignore them or you could end up with a CCJ. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 09:10   Number plate query - CGNorwich

You can only get a CCJ if you ignore a court not the car parking company. Go through the appeals procedure. If they throw it out (unlikely), let them take it to court- again unlikely. If they do, show the court evidence that you have in fact paid. No court in the land would uphold the car parking companies decision. No need to pay anyone anything. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 09:26   Number plate query - helicopter

I suggest you read some of the threads on Fight yourprivate parking invoice before making such comments CGN. You need to understand the lengths that some of these companies will go to to harrass and threaten people for simple mistakes. They have up to six years of threats from debt collectors and solicitors letters to look forward to if they ignore. Yes the PPC's may have no case here but it does not stop the hassle in the hope that people will just give up and pay. Despicable it may be to you and I but this is their business model and it works. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 09:35   Number plate query - CGNorwich

And it is just hassle. Can all be safely ignored. Personally I doubt very much it will go beyond that appeal process. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 10:36   Number plate query - helicopter

Well you are simply wrong CGN. Aggravation and threats are how these people make their money. The PPC's themselves control the appeal process and will almost certainly reject it and proceed to the threats of debt collectors etc. Lots of people have been hassled for similar small errors and there has been a technical breach of contract.... if it does go to court it may well be thrown out but would you want to take that risk after six years of hassle? As I say the best way forward is to go to M&S and try to get it cancelled by them as the car park owner. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 10:53   Number plate query - helicopter

Also Rudedog make sure that if your wife does appeal she NEVER admits to being the driver and signs correspondence as the Registered Keeper. Look on Fight your private parking invoice who deal with these invoice appeals all day long for proper assistance and you should ignore any so called experts who give duff advice elsewhere ( including on here). Last edited by: helicopter on Tue 6 Nov 18 at 10:54 Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 11:17   Number plate query - Zero

>> Also Rudedog make sure that if your wife does appeal she NEVER admits to being >> the driver and signs correspondence as the Registered Keeper. Thats superfluous because they are allowed to pursue the registered keeper for the unpaid parking charge. Thats what the change in law was about and gives them the right to get the registered keeper from the DVLA. At the end of the day, there are signs to tell you that parking charges apply, you wouldn't think about ignoring a parking fine issued by a warden, so why think about it when its a private one. At the end of the day pursue the store(s) that employs these companies if you want it changed. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 13:09   Number plate query - VxFan

>> Also Rudedog make sure that if your wife does appeal she NEVER admits to being >> the driver and signs correspondence as the Registered Keeper. What he says. I can't remember the exact reason, but should you need to appeal to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals) after any appeals fail with the parking company, by admitting driver details makes things more difficult. Keep it simple and just use "Registered Keeper" There is some more info here: www.parkingcowboys.co.uk/keeper-liability/ If the parking company want the driver details, they can only get it by taking you to court IIRC. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 13:25   Number plate query - Zero

>> >> Also Rudedog make sure that if your wife does appeal she NEVER admits to >> being >> >> the driver and signs correspondence as the Registered Keeper. >> >> What he says. >> >> I can't remember the exact reason, but should you need to appeal to POPLA (Parking >> on Private Land Appeals) after any appeals fail with the parking company, by admitting driver >> details makes things more difficult. Keep it simple and just use "Registered Keeper" But at the end of the day, as that article points out, they can pursue the registered keeper for the penalty notice and any reasonable costs. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 10:55   Number plate query - CGNorwich

There is no merit in paying some “internet Experts” for doing what you can do yourself. Go down the appeals procedure, it costs you nothing. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 11:22   Number plate query - helicopter

I am not suggesting paying is necessary for internet advice CGN, but it can be an option for some people who do not want the hassle. It is simply that this forum is not the best for advice when you have a specialist forum specifically dealing with these PPI's. Read some of the horror stories on there and you will see what I mean. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 11:30   Number plate query - Bromptonaut

>> Aggravation and threats are how these people make their money. I agree that if you're vulnerable or of a nervous disposition the aggravation can be frightening. However if dealt with robustly these companies give up. Are parking charges like mobile phone debt which gets sold on for ever diminishing percentages so same debt keeps raising it's head again and again? >> The PPC's themselves control the appeal process and will almost certainly reject it and proceed >> to the threats of debt collectors etc. AIUI there are two appeals processes, one for BPA companies and another for outfits in the rival umbrella body. BPA originally subcontracted the appeals process to the London Parking Adjudicators who blotted their copybook by being as robust as they are with Councils. The BPA process, POPLA, is now run by the 'not for profit' Ombudsman Service who's independence I'd still respect. Reports on the International Parking Community scheme are less encouraging. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 6 Nov 18 11:43   Number plate query - rtj70

>> Are parking charges like mobile phone debt which gets sold on for ever diminishing >> percentages so same debt keeps raising it's head again and again? The parking fine (Parking Eye) I referred to was certainly sold on. At that point any court case could only be for the small claims route because any contract you had breached for parking was with Parking Eye. The debt was increased the more and more they chased until they went down the small claims route and gave in. But at that point the person with the PCN said they would (and did) produce evidence they were allowed to park. What they should have done was get the business where they parked to overturn the PCN straight away. Last edited by: rtj70 on Tue 6 Nov 18 at 11:44 Reply to this message | Report message