Guides › Parking Fines › What Is the Independent Appeals Service (IAS)?
What Is the Independent Appeals Service (IAS)?
The Independent Appeals Service (IAS) hears appeals against private parking charges issued by members of the International Parking Community (IPC). Appeal to the operator first. Citizens Advice says the IAS appeal is free within 21 days of the operator's rejection, with a £15 fee after that.
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
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 21 daysIAS appeal after operator rejection (free in time; Citizens Advice says a fee of 15 pounds applies after 21 days)21 days (per Citizens Advice)
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Check which trade body the operator belongs to (BPA or IPC).
Step 2 of 4
Appeal to the operator first.
Step 3 of 4
If rejected, appeal to the IAS within 21 days.
Step 4 of 4
Keep copies of everything.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Independent Appeals Service (IAS)
Operator is an IPC member and has rejected your appeal.
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.
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If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
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