Guides › Parking Fines › What Is POPLA?
What Is POPLA?
POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals) is the free independent appeals service for private parking charges issued by members of the British Parking Association. You must appeal to the operator first, then go to POPLA within 28 days of the rejection, using the verification code the operator gives you.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
The Short Answer
Different Tickets, Different Appeals
Appeal rights differ by type of ticket: private parking charge, council PCN and police fixed penalty notice each have a different route (Citizens Advice overview). source
Appealing to the Operator, Then POPLA
Private parking charge: you can appeal to the operator first, then to POPLA (BPA members) or the Independent Appeals Service (IPC members) for free; while a POPLA appeal is open the operator must not pursue you for payment. source
POPLA Time Limit
POPLA appeals must be made within 28 days of the operator rejecting your appeal, using the verification code the operator gives you; you cannot go to POPLA directly. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 28 daysPOPLA appeal after operator rejects your appeal28 days from the date of the operator's rejection
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Check the ticket is a private parking charge, not a council PCN.
Step 2 of 4
Appeal to the parking operator first.
Step 3 of 4
Keep the verification code from its rejection.
Step 4 of 4
Appeal to POPLA within 28 days.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals)
Operator is a BPA member and has rejected your appeal; you have a verification code and are within 28 days.
Independent Appeals Service (IAS)
Operator is an IPC member and has rejected your appeal.
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Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 12 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/parking-tickets/appealing-a-parking-ticket Checked 12 October 2026
- popla.co.uk Checked 12 October 2026
- popla.co.uk/faqs Checked 12 October 2026