How POPLA and IAS appeals work for private parking charges
Updated 12 October 2026
Private parking appeals in England and Wales have two stages. The first appeal goes to the parking company. If it rejects that appeal, an independent service may consider it. Which service depends on the company's trade association.
Step 1: appeal to the operator
Appeal to the parking company first, using the route on the notice. The usual window is 28 days from the notice. Keep a copy of what you send and proof of sending.
If the company rejects the appeal, its letter should give the name of the independent service and, for POPLA, a verification code. Keep that letter.
POPLA: for BPA members
POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals) considers appeals about operators that belong to the British Parking Association. An appeal is normally made within 28 days of the rejection, using the verification code. POPLA does not charge the motorist for an appeal.
The operator sends its evidence pack, and the motorist can comment on it once. POPLA then decides. Its decision binds the operator but not the motorist. If POPLA refuses the appeal, the operator may continue to pursue the charge, and a county court claim remains possible.
IAS: for IPC members
The Independent Appeals Service considers appeals about operators that belong to the International Parking Community. The standard appeal is normally made within 21 days of the rejection, and the IAS does not charge the motorist for that standard appeal.
Read the IAS terms before you submit, because they describe how decisions work and any later route that may cost a fee. That later route is a separate decision.
What makes an appeal clear
Keep to facts you can show: the dates, the signs, the ticket or permit, and photographs. Each point should match what happened. Grounds are fact-dependent, and no service or tool can promise a result.
This guide is general information about private parking charges in England and Wales. It is not legal advice. The dates and wording on your own notice control, and every point is fact-dependent.