Private parking is contract law. No contract, no liability.

Parking & Landowner Abuses

Private parking is contract law. If no contract was formed, there is no liability.

PoFA 2012 Schedule 4: Keeper liability

• Applies only in England and Wales.
• Does not apply in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Only on relevant land (not airports/ports/railway land or highways).

Not “relevant land” – common examples

• Airports with byelaws (e.g., forecourts, red routes).
• Ports and harbours under statutory control.
• Railway land (byelaws apply).
• Public highways or land managed by a traffic authority.

Appeals routes depend on the operator

• BPA members → independent appeal to POPLA.
• IPC members → independent appeal to the IAS.

Practical steps

1. Photograph signage, entrance terms, and bay markings.
2. SAR the operator and demand landowner authority.
3. Withdraw consent and object to processing if appropriate.
4. Escalate to the landowner and DVLA if misuse is suspected.

Useful references

• PoFA 2012 Schedule 4 (keeper liability and “relevant land”).
• DVLA KADOE: access to keeper data is controlled and subject to rules.
• BPA/IPC Codes of Practice; independent appeals via POPLA/IAS.