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UKCPM DRP Final Notice

Hi all,


Looking for advice on whether I should pay or fight this PCN — today is the last “deadline” given by Debt Recovery Plus (DRP) before they say it may escalate further.


Summary of Situation:


  • The PCN was issued by UKCPM.
  • The parking site now uses ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition).
  • I parked there for 40 minutes and had a valid paper permit, but it was in the car and not on the windscreen.
  • I later found out that the system now requires a digital permit registration, which I wasn’t aware of.
  • The notice escalated to Debt Recovery Plus, and is now at £160, and I am on my final notice before it potentially being escalated.
  • I (the driver) appealed and admitted to being the driver — the car is registered to my dad.
  • I understand that it can’t become a CCJ unless I lose in court and don’t pay, but I don’t feel I have a strong enough defence if it goes that far.
  • I don’t want a CCJ and can afford to pay the £160 today if it’s the right call.
  • Just not sure if I should pay now to avoid the risk, or wait and see if they actually issue a court claim.



Would really appreciate honest advice from those who’ve been through this or know the system. Thanks

«13

Comments

  • Gr1pr
    Gr1pr Posts: 13,013 Forumite
    10,000 Posts First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Definitely ignore the debt collectors letters 

    Definitely don't pay

    Come back here to this thread if or when you receive a Letter of Claim giving you 30 days notice,  or a court claim within 6 years of the incident date 

    Study the newbies sticky thread in announcements by coupon mad too
  • Coupon-mad
    Coupon-mad Posts: 160,905 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    This is already explained in the fourth post of NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST which is there to stop us regulars from drowning in the same old questions every day. There are even pictures of the typical £170 threatograms to stop people posting about them!


    PRIVATE 'PCN'? DON'T PAY BUT DON'T IGNORE IT (except N.Ireland).
    CLICK at the top or bottom of any page where it says:
    Home»Motoring»Parking Tickets Fines & Parking - read the NEWBIES THREAD
  • John_Doe544
    John_Doe544 Posts: 15 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper
    This is already explained in the fourth post of NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST which is there to stop us regulars from drowning in the same old questions every day. There are even pictures of the typical £170 threatograms to stop people posting about them!


    Gr1pr said:
    Definitely ignore the debt collectors letters 

    Definitely don't pay

    Come back here to this thread if or when you receive a Letter of Claim giving you 30 days notice,  or a court claim within 6 years of the incident date 

    Study the newbies sticky thread in announcements by coupon mad too
    Hi, first of all thank both you guys for replying I really appreciate it, and apologies if I caused any familiar nuisances with this post. My main question however was mainly whether I should pay the fine now however, in order to avoid a court case which I feel I am more than likely to lose due to how weak my defence seems, and so avoiding a likely certain ~£280 charge and instead only having to pay the ~£170 owed right now, especially considering I explained that I was the driver at the time, instead of purposefully not disclosing this which many suggest.
  • Umkomaas
    Umkomaas Posts: 44,337 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    • I (the driver) appealed and admitted to being the driver — the car is registered to my dad.
    Please confirm that liability has been formally transferred to you and UKCPM/DRP are now writing to you, not to your Dad.
    Please note, we are not a legal advice forum. I personally don't get involved in critiquing court case Defences/Witness Statements, so unable to help on that front. Please don't ask. .

    I provide only my personal opinion, it is not a legal opinion, it is simply a personal one. I am not a lawyer.

    Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

    #Private Parking Firms - Killing the High Street
  • Coupon-mad
    Coupon-mad Posts: 160,905 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 8 July 2025 at 6:47PM
    This is already explained in the fourth post of NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST which is there to stop us regulars from drowning in the same old questions every day. There are even pictures of the typical £170 threatograms to stop people posting about them!


    Gr1pr said:
    Definitely ignore the debt collectors letters 

    Definitely don't pay

    Come back here to this thread if or when you receive a Letter of Claim giving you 30 days notice,  or a court claim within 6 years of the incident date 

    Study the newbies sticky thread in announcements by coupon mad too
    Hi, first of all thank both you guys for replying I really appreciate it, and apologies if I caused any familiar nuisances with this post. My main question however was mainly whether I should pay the fine now however, in order to avoid a court case which I feel I am more than likely to lose due to how weak my defence seems, and so avoiding a likely certain ~£280 charge and instead only having to pay the ~£170 owed right now, especially considering I explained that I was the driver at the time, instead of purposefully not disclosing this which many suggest.
    There is no fine and no risk

    Most UKCPM cases never go to court.

    Of those that get a claim form, many are struck out by courts because Gladstones plead the case so poorly.

    They also send no-one to hearings and usually lose. If not, you are looking at £212 - a puny, unlikely risk difference of just £42!

    Add to that: people who pay are supporting and funding the scam industry. Don't be that person!
    PRIVATE 'PCN'? DON'T PAY BUT DON'T IGNORE IT (except N.Ireland).
    CLICK at the top or bottom of any page where it says:
    Home»Motoring»Parking Tickets Fines & Parking - read the NEWBIES THREAD
  • John_Doe544
    John_Doe544 Posts: 15 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper
    Umkomaas said:
    • I (the driver) appealed and admitted to being the driver — the car is registered to my dad.
    Please confirm that liability has been formally transferred to you and UKCPM/DRP are now writing to you, not to your Dad.
    Hello, thank you for your reply, this is confirmation that liability has been transferred to me AND that UKCPM are writing to me, as I received multiple letters in MY name about the same PCN, instead of my Dad which the first letter was made to. 
  • John_Doe544
    John_Doe544 Posts: 15 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper

    This is already explained in the fourth post of NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST which is there to stop us regulars from drowning in the same old questions every day. There are even pictures of the typical £170 threatograms to stop people posting about them!


    Gr1pr said:
    Definitely ignore the debt collectors letters 

    Definitely don't pay

    Come back here to this thread if or when you receive a Letter of Claim giving you 30 days notice,  or a court claim within 6 years of the incident date 

    Study the newbies sticky thread in announcements by coupon mad too
    Hi, first of all thank both you guys for replying I really appreciate it, and apologies if I caused any familiar nuisances with this post. My main question however was mainly whether I should pay the fine now however, in order to avoid a court case which I feel I am more than likely to lose due to how weak my defence seems, and so avoiding a likely certain ~£280 charge and instead only having to pay the ~£170 owed right now, especially considering I explained that I was the driver at the time, instead of purposefully not disclosing this which many suggest.
    There is no fine and no risk

    Most UKCPM cases never go to court.

    Of those that get a claim form, many are struck out by courts because Gladstones plead the case so poorly.

    They also send no-one to hearings and usually lose. If not, you are looking at £212 - a puny, unlikely risk difference of just £42!

    Add to that: people who pay are supporting and funding the scam industry. Don't be that person!

    Once again, thanks for replying. I guess I will have to stick with my guns for now and continue to ignore the charge against me. Thanks for the advice! - and to everyone else who read my post and contributed :)
  • John_Doe544
    John_Doe544 Posts: 15 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper
    This is already explained in the fourth post of NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST which is there to stop us regulars from drowning in the same old questions every day. There are even pictures of the typical £170 threatograms to stop people posting about them!


    Gr1pr said:
    Definitely ignore the debt collectors letters 

    Definitely don't pay

    Come back here to this thread if or when you receive a Letter of Claim giving you 30 days notice,  or a court claim within 6 years of the incident date 

    Study the newbies sticky thread in announcements by coupon mad too
    Hi, first of all thank both you guys for replying I really appreciate it, and apologies if I caused any familiar nuisances with this post. My main question however was mainly whether I should pay the fine now however, in order to avoid a court case which I feel I am more than likely to lose due to how weak my defence seems, and so avoiding a likely certain ~£280 charge and instead only having to pay the ~£170 owed right now, especially considering I explained that I was the driver at the time, instead of purposefully not disclosing this which many suggest.
    There is no fine and no risk

    Most UKCPM cases never go to court.

    Of those that get a claim form, many are struck out by courts because Gladstones plead the case so poorly.

    They also send no-one to hearings and usually lose. If not, you are looking at £212 - a puny, unlikely risk difference of just £42!

    Add to that: people who pay are supporting and funding the scam industry. Don't be that person!
    Hi again,

    I have received a letter from bwlegal stating that I have until the 16th Jan to pay the £160 owed, otherwise the next letter would be a Letter of Claim. Assuming that I ignore this, am I looking to be present in court in the near future as a result?
  • Coupon-mad
    Coupon-mad Posts: 160,905 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    How lovely. Await the LBC.
    PRIVATE 'PCN'? DON'T PAY BUT DON'T IGNORE IT (except N.Ireland).
    CLICK at the top or bottom of any page where it says:
    Home»Motoring»Parking Tickets Fines & Parking - read the NEWBIES THREAD
  • John_Doe544
    John_Doe544 Posts: 15 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper
    How lovely. Await the LBC.
    idk tho im starting to think i might be in the wrong entirely on this one im tempted to just cut my losses...
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