3. APCOA passed fine to debt collector but never got PCN
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APCOA passed fine to debt collector but never got PCN
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I got a debt collector letter from a company called DCR today for an apparent fine from April for a private car park in the centre of a town in England operated by Apcao. Two issues though, first I never got the PCN (v5 is correct). Will the debt company give it to me if I ask? Second, I have worked out what I was doing that day. I drove into the car park in question, it was 7am so I was checking if it was free, it was not so I left within 30 seconds without leaving the car. Not sure that warrants a fine (or is that normal?)

My questions are
1. Can I ask to see the PCN before paying a debt collection agency? Feels odd to just pay it.

2. Would entering and leaving within 30 seconds be a breach of contract that means you need to pay a fine? I am not exaggerating about the 30 seconds (okay maybe 45 at a push) but I haven’t seen a PCN to say what the timing was.

I should add - I am not the registered keeper,
I am a named driver on insurance. My wife is the keeper, I was driving though as I dropped her at work before this.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2026, 10:54:00 pm by HarryLantern »
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Re: APCOA passed fine to debt collector but never got PCN
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It’s not a fine, it’s an invoice for payment under the contract the driver entered into by reading the signs and parking.
In your case the driver read the signs and didn’t park. It’s called the “consideration period” in https://www.britishparking.co.uk/write/Documents/AOS/Sector%20Code%20Templates/sectorsingleCodeofPracticeVersion1.1130426-2.pdf

You could obtain the original PCN by sending APCOA a Subject Acces Request if you wanted to.

However it’s our experience that APCOA doesn’t “do” court. Debt collectors are powerless. They use red ink and scary words to try and frighten you into paying.

So, practically, ignore and do not pay. In the unlikely event you get a Letter of Claim from a solicitor then come back and show it to us. Ignore everything from debt collectors. Obtain the PCN using the SAR process if you can be bothered.

What do you mean by “v5 is correct”? Oh, OK, I guess you mean the details on your V5C including your address are up to date and correct.
« Last Edit: July 10, 2026, 01:31:44 pm by jfollows »
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Re: APCOA passed fine to debt collector but never got PCN
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And no a PCN for 30 seconds in a paid car park is a blatent breach of the code of practice, should be at least 5 minute consideration period to condsider the contract which is exactly what the driver did. You need a copy of the original PCN. There would have been more than one letter before the debts collectors were engaged so if the V5 is correct I'd be investigating where they went and whether any other post has failed to make it to you.
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Re: APCOA passed fine to debt collector but never got PCN
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Without spending too much time on this, could you get photos of the signage?

If you contact APCOA make sure it`s in writing and do not give any indication of who was driving.
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  3. APCOA passed fine to debt collector but never got PCN