ANPR Camera Evidence Errors That Invalidate Parking Charges
When Camera Evidence Is Not Enough
Most private parking charges rely on Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to record when vehicles enter and exit a car park. ANPR systems photograph the number plate on arrival and departure and calculate the parking duration. But these systems are not perfect, and errors in ANPR evidence can invalidate a parking charge.
Common ANPR Errors
Misread number plates
ANPR cameras can confuse similar characters. The number 0 and letter O, the number 1 and letter I, the number 8 and letter B. If the camera misread your plate, the recorded entry or exit time may belong to a different vehicle entirely.
Missing entry or exit image
To prove an overstay, the operator needs both an entry and an exit photograph. If either is missing, blurred, or unreadable, the operator cannot prove how long the vehicle was parked.
Incorrect timestamps
ANPR cameras rely on internal clocks that can drift over time. If the camera timestamps are inaccurate, the calculated parking duration is unreliable. Some operators have been found to have camera clocks that are several minutes out, which can make the difference between a valid stay and an alleged overstay.
Multiple reads
If a vehicle moves within the car park, the ANPR system may record multiple entries and exits. This can create false overstay records where the system calculates the duration from the first entry to the last exit, ignoring the fact that the vehicle left and returned.
No grace period applied
The BPA Code of Practice requires operators to allow a consideration period. If the ANPR system does not apply this grace period when calculating the parking duration, the charge may be invalid.
What the BPA Code Says
The BPA Code of Practice requires operators to:
- Maintain ANPR equipment in good working order
- Ensure timestamps are accurate
- Apply a grace period before issuing a charge
- Provide ANPR evidence to the motorist upon request
Failure to meet any of these requirements can be used as a ground for appeal.
How to Challenge ANPR Evidence
- Request the full ANPR evidence from the operator, including entry and exit photographs with timestamps
- Check the images for clarity and whether your vehicle is correctly identified
- Compare the recorded times against your own records (payment receipts, phone location data, dashcam footage)
- Upload your notice to our AI PCN Manager which checks ANPR evidence quality automatically
Real Example
We recently helped a motorist who received a ParkingEye charge at a supermarket. The ANPR system recorded an entry at 09:47 and an exit at 12:52, suggesting a 3-hour 5-minute stay against a 3-hour maximum. However, the motorist’s payment receipt showed they purchased items at 09:50, just 3 minutes after the alleged entry. The exit photograph was blurred and partially obscured. The appeal was successful based on weak ANPR evidence.
Check Your Ticket
If you believe the ANPR evidence against you is inaccurate, upload your parking charge notice for a free assessment. Our AI checks evidence quality as part of the 71+ defect analysis.
