A parking ticket is only valid if there is a clear “contract” between the driver and the landowner.
If you didn’t see the signs, how could you agree to the terms? In England and Wales, unclear signage is one of the most successful ways to win a PCN appeal.
What Makes a Sign “Unclear”?
The British Parking Association (BPA) and the IPC have strict codes of practice. A sign is legally inadequate if:
- It is located too high or too low for a driver to read.
- The text is too small to be read from a moving vehicle.
- The sign is hidden behind a tree, a pillar, or another parked vehicle.
- There is no lighting on the sign in a car park used at night
How to Collect Evidence
To win an “unclear signage” appeal, you need proof. Do not just take a close-up photo of the sign. You need a “driver’s eye view” photo.
Walk to the entrance of the car park and take a photo showing what you saw as you drove in. If the sign isn’t visible from that perspective, you have a strong case.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015
This law states that contractual terms must be “transparent” and “prominent.” If the fine amount (e.g., £100) is hidden in tiny print at the bottom of a large sign, it is not prominent.
Confused by the fine print? Upload a photo of the car park sign to our app, and our AI will tell you if it meets the legal requirements for enforcement.