Last reviewed 20 October 2026. General information only, not legal advice.
Entering an incorrect or incomplete registration – known as a 'keying error' – is one of the most common reasons drivers receive a private parking charge even though they paid.
What to do
- Find your proof of payment, such as a receipt, bank statement or app history.
- Appeal to the operator explaining the mistake and attach the evidence.
- Trade body codes of practice encourage operators to cancel or reduce charges for minor keying errors where a valid payment was made.
For council PCNs, explain the error in an informal challenge with the same evidence. Councils have discretion to cancel.
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