The hospital gave me a parking exemption but I still got a ticket — what do I do?

Submit the exemption documentation with your Stage 1 appeal. If the operator issued a charge despite a valid exemption, that is a clear administrative error. Most operators cancel immediately on sight of the exemption letter.

I was in A&E for 6 hours — can the operator really charge me for overstaying?

Probably not. Medical emergencies are explicitly recognised as mitigating circumstances under BPA Code of Practice guidance. Attach your A&E attendance record or discharge summary to your appeal and state that the overstay was caused by an emergency medical situation beyond your control.

My hospital ticket arrived 3 weeks after I parked — is that too late?

For ANPR-only enforcement, POFA 2012, Schedule 4, Para 9 requires the Notice to Keeper to be dispatched within 14 days. Three weeks after the parking event is outside that window. Check the postmark date and raise POFA non-compliance as your primary ground.

Can I appeal on behalf of someone else who parked at the hospital?

Yes. If you are the registered keeper but were not the driver, state that in your appeal and provide the driver's details if you choose to do so. If you decline to name the driver, keeper liability may still apply if POFA 2012 was followed correctly — but medical evidence from the actual patient is still your strongest ground.

Got a Ticket in a Hospital Car Park? Here Is What to Do

By GetRighted Legal Research TeamLast updated July 2026

Summary

Hospital car park tickets are issued by private operators — usually ParkingEye or APCOA — not the NHS. That means POFA 2012 keeper-liability rules apply and you have a full 28-day appeal window. Medical need is a strong mitigating ground: attending A&E, an emergency appointment, or accompanying a seriously ill patient are all recognised bases for cancellation. Grace period violations (overstays of under 10 minutes) and inadequate signage are also effective. The operator must follow BPA Code of Practice rules exactly — one missed procedural step defeats the claim.

Immediate Actions

Do these within 48 hours of receiving the ticket:

✓Note the date, time, and duration of your parking — compare to appointment records
✓Keep the NtK envelope — check the postmark against the 14-day POFA rule
✓Gather medical evidence: appointment letter, discharge summary, A&E attendance record
✓Photograph signs at the site from your parking space if you can return
✓Check the permitted stay and compare your actual stay including any grace period
✓Do NOT pay before deciding to appeal — payment waives your right to challenge

Appeal Steps

How to fight a hospital car park charge:

1Within 28 days of NtK: Submit Stage 1 appeal to the operator with medical evidence
2If ParkingEye or APCOA: appeal via their portal with a cover letter citing mitigating circumstances
3Within 28–35 days: Operator response — many cancel on medical grounds at Stage 1
4If rejected: Request POPLA reference (BPA operators) or IAS reference (IPC operators) immediately
5Submit POPLA/IAS appeal within 28 days with full evidence
6POPLA/IAS decision: Binding on operator if upheld

Which Defenses Apply Here

Medical emergency or genuine need: attending hospital for yourself or a seriously ill family member is a recognised mitigating ground under the BPA Code of Practice. Grace period: if you overstayed by fewer than 10 minutes, BPA CoP s.13 prohibits a charge. Inadequate signage: hospital car parks often have complex sign layouts — BPA CoP s.18.3 requires signs clearly visible from each space. POFA 2012 timing: for ANPR-issued NtKs, the 14-day postmark deadline applies just as strictly at hospitals as anywhere else.

What to Expect

Hospital car park operators receive more complaints and media attention than most. Many — particularly NHS trust-contracted operators — have internal policies to cancel charges where medical need is documented. Submit your appeal promptly and attach any available documentary evidence of your medical attendance. Even if Stage 1 is rejected, POPLA assessors give significant weight to medical circumstances. Published POPLA data shows mitigating circumstances succeed in a material proportion of cases where good evidence is provided.

Sources

Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Schedule 4
BPA Code of Practice, Sections 13 and 18.3
POPLA Annual Report (latest published edition)

Frequently Asked Questions

The hospital gave me a parking exemption but I still got a ticket — what do I do?: Submit the exemption documentation with your Stage 1 appeal. If the operator issued a charge despite a valid exemption, that is a clear administrative error. Most operators cancel immediately on sight of the exemption letter.
I was in A&E for 6 hours — can the operator really charge me for overstaying?: Probably not. Medical emergencies are explicitly recognised as mitigating circumstances under BPA Code of Practice guidance. Attach your A&E attendance record or discharge summary to your appeal and state that the overstay was caused by an emergency medical situation beyond your control.
My hospital ticket arrived 3 weeks after I parked — is that too late?: For ANPR-only enforcement, POFA 2012, Schedule 4, Para 9 requires the Notice to Keeper to be dispatched within 14 days. Three weeks after the parking event is outside that window. Check the postmark date and raise POFA non-compliance as your primary ground.
Can I appeal on behalf of someone else who parked at the hospital?: Yes. If you are the registered keeper but were not the driver, state that in your appeal and provide the driver's details if you choose to do so. If you decline to name the driver, keeper liability may still apply if POFA 2012 was followed correctly — but medical evidence from the actual patient is still your strongest ground.

mitigating-circumstances
grace-period
pofa-non-compliance
inadequate-signage

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