I’m a parking warden – here’s the little-known way you can be caught out when parking on street
A FORMER parking warden has revealed the little-known ways drivers could land themselves with a fine while parking on the street.
Lucas Taylor, 40, said that motorists can find themselves having to cough up to pay a ticket simply because they can miss seeing a sign saying that the area is permit only.
He told The Sun: "When [pay and display] is not clearly displayed you can get a ticket.
“When the permit signs are every hundred yards - that's no good for people that just pull up.”
Another of the most common mistakes, Mr Taylor revealed, was parking on “double yellow lines”.
The Highway Code stipulates: “Double yellow lines indicate a prohibition of waiting at any time even if there are no upright signs.”
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Motorists who contravene the law for any lengthy period may find their vehicle has been ticketed more than once, with some zealous wardens slapping numerous tickets.
Mr Taylor said: "If there's a car with a ticket on it they [wardens] will be persistent and will go back to that and add another ticket on, then another one.
"Some parking wardens issue 60 tickets.
"I'd go out and just get two or three - because I'd move traffic on rather than just issue tickets straight away."
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If they do so, they can be faced with hefty fines.
However, there are a couple of exceptions if you're only stopping for a short time.
These apply to drivers picking up or dropping someone off - as well as Blue Badge holders for up to three hours.
But if you break down and are forced to pull over onto double yellow lines, you might not be protected by the letter of the law.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams said: “Technically, a broken-down vehicle on double-yellow lines is in contravention of parking regulations and a penalty charge notice could be issued.
"But as yellow lines are generally ticketed by hand, it’s unlikely a driver would be given a ticket by a civil enforcement officer in the first place as long as they are with the car and can clearly explain why they’re stuck.
"Enforcement officers tend to be very wary of notes left in cars saying they are broken down.
“Drivers should always endeavour to move their vehicles away from double-yellow lines."
Not every council is likely to fine you for finding safety on a double yellow.
Mr Taylor previously revealed the common mistakes drivers make which could land them with an instant fine.
For most offences, parking wardens need to watch the car consistently for five minutes to see if a driver corrects their error or moves on before issuing a fine.
How to appeal a parking ticket
More than half of motorists have successfully appealed parking firms from local councils, an investigation by The Sun found.
The best way to beat a parking charge is to avoid getting one in the first place - but if you do come back to your car and find a ticket there are some ways of beating the system:
- Hold off paying your parking ticket immediately if you want to appeal the charge
- Check how long you have to challenge the ticket
- Make an initial appeal to the ticket issuer by phone, post or email, including supporting evidence like photos which show the parking signs weren’t clear
- Write a further appeal if your ticket issuer has a formal complaints procedure in place. Some ticket issuers belong to independent appeal schemes which provide a free and impartial service
- Pay your parking ticket if your appeal is turned down - you could be hit with further costs if you don’t
Once again, parking on double yellows are among the rules that don't require five-minute observation time.
No observation is required for parking in a disabled bay without a badge either.
Mr Taylor - who gave up his job as a warden to run his own business - told The Sun: "If they're parked in a disabled bay [without a badge] it's an instant ticket. Not a five-minute observation.
"You see one of those it's straight away ticket - straight on the car.
Other instant fines include parking on zig-zag lines outside a school.
Rules may differ depending on councils or parking firms.
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Blue Badge drivers are allowed to park for free in on-street parking spaces.
But there could be time limits they have to stick to.
