'Ticket' from a private parking lot: do you have to pay?

You parked on a private parking lot (supermarket, clinic, fast food) and now receive mail from a parking-management firm with a 'contractual penalty' or 'increased parking fee'? That is not an official fine but a civil-law demand, and it is not always justified.

Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:

Check the demand →

Your chances of getting your money back

Anyone who does not comply with the posted conditions on a private parking lot (for example a parking disc, maximum parking time) can be obliged to pay a contractually agreed 'increased parking fee'. But the operator must have validly agreed this through clear signage.

As the vehicle owner you are not automatically liable: you do not necessarily have to name the driver. However, you may be subject to a secondary burden of explanation. Excessive flat rates and 'owner-identification fees' are often open to challenge.

What you should do now

1
1. Classify the demand
It is a civil-law 'ticket' from a private firm, not an official fine. Check the signage and the amount.
2
2. Check the amount
The actual increased parking fee can be permissible; added debt-collection/owner-identification costs are often excessive and disputable.
3
3. Do not name the driver hastily
As the owner you do not have to state unprompted who was driving. Do not let yourself be pushed into quick statements.
4
4. Reject the excess
Reject unjustified or excessive items in writing and, if the base demand is justified, offer only that.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a real fine?

No. Demands from private parking operators are not official fines but civil-law claims from a parking contract (concluded through signage). They are only justified if the conditions were validly agreed and the amount is reasonable.

Do I have to pay as the owner if I was not driving?

Not automatically. The contracting party is whoever parked. You do not have to name the driver unprompted, but you can be subject to a secondary burden of explanation. You can challenge excessive additional costs in any case.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

Check the demand Check a suspicious message

More help: Emergency by phone · Act together · Right to a lawyer · All guides

General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.