Parking fine - when you don't park

Rosmerta

What is parking?
I know there is lots of advice about parking fines and how to fight but I want to check this one.

We were using an NCP car park to practice for my daughter's driving test - its one of the maneuvers they need to so now.

We received a parking fine notice for "exiting the car park with out paying"

However at no time did we park and leave the vehicle - we kept constantly moving. We were there for about 30 mins..

Can we dispute the fine this, or should we just pay?:(
Thanks

AdrianC

You entered a privately-owned and operated car park, spent 30 minutes there, and are hoping to get off paying on the basis that you didn't actually park...?

Cetshwayo

I went to the cinema once and slept through the movie can I get my money back?

waamo

You are better off posting this in the parking tickets forum above this one.

To answer your question though driving isn't parking (Jopson vs Homeguard).

peter_the_piper

Considering the slow driving for 30 minutes, it may well have been cheaper to actually PAY for the half hour.

Cetshwayo

waamo wrote: »

To answer your question though driving isn't parking (Jopson vs Homeguard).

Very different situation to the OPs.

waamo

Cetshwayo wrote: »

Very different situation to the OPs.

It is yes. The issue though is what are you being charged for? If it's for parking then she wasn't parked.

If it's for using the car park then clearly she was.

It's going to boil down to what the signs say and what they are trying to charge for.

AdrianC

Cetshwayo wrote: »

Very different situation to the OPs.

Quite.
http://nebula.wsimg.com/f6d657adf7df70d27e1dd285688b5701?AccessKeyId=4CB8F2392A09CF228A46&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

Somebody stops on a private roadway outside their flat to unload for a few minutes. Private parking enforcement photograph car unattended during that brief period.

Not even remotely similar.

Cetshwayo

The OP has been using their premises, I imagine for "parking" practice so rather churlish to expect to get a freebie. I don't believe they were constantly moving.

If the OP had driven and straight out then I would suggest that would be OK.

Anyway I don't see the parking company cutting them any slack whatsoever and if the OP decides to take this all the way it will in all probability become an expensive exercise.

That is up to the OP.

stripeyfox

In this case NCP charge you for the use of the car park. You can park or you can drive up and down the ramps for two hours if you want. I guess they don't mind - as long as you pay.

neilmcl

They (most) do, however, give you a 30 minute grace period to enter and exit the barriers without paying. This is intended for drop offs/pick ups and when someone has forgotten their cash, not I imagine for allowing someone to use the car park for driver training.