How does CancelMyFine work?

Answer 5 simple questions about your parking fine, and our AI generates a formal appeal letter referencing relevant UK legislation. Pay £4.99 and download your letter as a PDF instantly.

What types of parking fines can I appeal?

We cover private parking charges (ParkingEye, NCP, UKPC etc.), council Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), and police Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs).

How long does it take?

The whole process takes under 2 minutes. Answer the questions, pay £4.99, and your PDF downloads automatically.

What if my appeal is rejected?

You can escalate for free. Private fines go to POPLA (BPA members) or IAS (IPC members). Council PCNs go to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.

Can I park for free if the parking meter is broken UK?

If a parking meter or pay-and-display machine is broken and no alternative payment method is available, you may be able to park without paying. However, you should still display a note on your dashboard and take photos of the broken machine.

How do I appeal a parking fine if the meter was broken?

Appeal with evidence that the machine was broken, such as photos of error messages, timestamps, and confirmation that no alternative payment method was available. Contact the operator within 28 days with your PCN reference and evidence.

What if only one parking meter was broken?

If other working machines were available nearby, the operator may argue you should have used those. However, if the nearest alternative was unreasonably far away or you were not aware of other machines, you may still have valid grounds for appeal.

How to Appeal a Parking Fine for a Broken Meter

Broken Meter — A Valid Defence

If you received a parking fine because the meter or ticket machine was broken and you couldn't pay, you have strong grounds for appeal. It is unreasonable to penalise a driver who was willing to pay but unable to do so because of a faulty machine. This applies to both council PCNs and private parking charges.

What Evidence Do You Need?

Photos of the broken machine: Photograph the machine showing any error messages, blank screens, or coin slot jams.
Timestamp evidence: Your phone photos will have timestamp metadata proving when they were taken.
Witness statements: If other drivers witnessed the broken machine, their statements can support your case.
Proof you tried alternative methods: Show you attempted to use the app or tried other machines nearby.

Council PCN — Broken Meter Defence

For council PCNs, a broken meter is a recognised ground for formal representation. Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, if the contravention occurred because the meter was out of order through no fault of your own, and you took reasonable steps to pay, this is a valid defence. If the council rejects your representation, appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.

Private Parking — Broken Machine

For private parking charges, a broken machine means you couldn't comply with the terms even if you wanted to. This undermines the contractual basis of the charge. State in your appeal that you were willing to pay but the operator's equipment prevented you from doing so.

Generate Your Appeal Letter

Don't pay for someone else's broken machine. Generate your personalised appeal letter in minutes with CancelMyFine — just £4.99. Visit CancelMyFine.co.uk to appeal your fine.