Parking Charge (in Scotland) (Smart Parking)

rjabse

I have trawled through various posts, both on here and in other forums and Google search results but, if anything, I am even more confused as there seems to be a few common, but conflicting, pieces of advice.

I have also been searching to see whether Part 8 of the Transport Scotland Act is now law - can't seem to find a definitive answer but I am thinking that it isn't (yet).

I have received a parking charge notice in the post today from Smart Parking.  The notice includes photographic evidence of my vehicle entering their car park, then leaving a few minutes later.

The 2 common pieces of advice sem to be :-

1. Just ignore the letter, and any further letters that arrive, and they will eventually give up.
2. Contact them and explain that I was not the driver, and that I am not required to tell them who was driving.

Which is correct or, if they both are, which is best?  Does anyone have real experience with same situation with Smart Parking, in Scotland, that can advise how it went for them?

Coupon-mad

Answered minutes ago, yet again:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6580427/scotland-dcbl-advice

I even cover the fact (in that reply) that keeper liability hasn't come in yet for you.

Everyone ignores Smart Parking; they aren't even litigious in England! Joke of a firm IMHO.

rjabse

Coupon-mad said:

Answered minutes ago, yet again:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6580427/scotland-dcbl-advice

I even cover the fact (in that reply) that keeper liability hasn't come in yet for you.

Everyone ignores Smart Parking; they aren't even litigious in England! Joke of a firm IMHO.

Thanks - did see your post in my earlier search, and have done the forum search phrase that you recommended.

You say above that everyone ignores Smart Parking, but then your post footer says " PRIVATE 'PCN'? DON'T PAY BUT DON'T IGNORE IT (except N.Ireland)" -  Do I ignore it or not?

Umkomaas

Ignore it in Scotland. No keeper liability there. Will come in later (this year possibly, or even in 2026).  Will never have retrospective applicability. 

Coupon-mad

Yep I only updated my signature to remove the word Scotland last year (it used to say "ignore if in Scotland or NI").

I only changed it because I am personally involved on the Government's Parking Code Steering Group to shape the new rules and was anticipating the imminent finalising of the new statutory rules in Summer 2024.

Didn't happen. But it is coming.

IGNORE SMART PARKING & £170 DEMANDS.  COMPLETELY SAFE.

rjabse

OK, so this is still rumbling on 14 months later ☹️.

Got the initial letter from Smart Parking in December '24, then letters from Debt Recovery Plus in May, June and July '25. Ignored all as per earlier advice, and thought they'd given up as nothing more received for months.

Got a letter from Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd (DCBL) yesterday so it's clearly still ongoing.

Latest letter says that DCBL have been instructed to to collect the outstanding balance (£170), but then a banner across the bottom of the letter says "This case is not subject to high court or bailiff action".

Should I carry on ignoring these, or should I contact them and explain that I was not the driver and keeper liability does not apply in Scotland, so I am not liable for the charge ?

Gr1pr

Correct, IGNORE THEM

It times out 5 years after the incident date in Scotland

They are simply trying it on to see if gullible people cave in and pay ( to ward off the boogeyman)