Should I tell the parking company who was driving?

Why it matters

A private parking company's claim is really against the driver. In England and Wales, it can only switch that claim to the registered keeper if it follows the strict rules in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (correct timing and wording). If you say 'I was driving', those rules stop mattering, because the company now knows who the driver was.

Isn't it against the law not to say?

Not for private parking charges. You may be thinking of police matters like speeding, where the keeper is legally required to identify the driver. That law doesn't apply to private parking companies. You can simply write as 'the registered keeper' and refer to 'the driver' throughout.

How to word your appeal

• Start with: 'I am the registered keeper of vehicle [registration].'
• Use 'the driver' and 'the vehicle', never 'I parked' or 'I was driving'.
• Don't guess or make up anything. Just don't volunteer who drove.
• If someone else was driving and you'd rather name them, that's your choice. The charge will then be pursued against them.

When it doesn't help

If the company has followed the keeper-liability rules correctly, not naming the driver won't stop it pursuing you as the keeper (in England and Wales). It's still sensible not to name the driver, but the rest of your appeal will need to rely on other grounds.