What is a Notice to Keeper?
When a private parking company issues a charge to an unidentified driver — usually after capturing a vehicle's registration plate on ANPR cameras — they can't automatically pursue the driver. Instead, they use the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (POFA 2012) to access the registered keeper's details from the DVLA and write to them. The Notice to Keeper is that letter: it informs you as the registered keeper that a parking charge was issued to a vehicle registered in your name, and attempts to make you liable for it.
The critical timing rules under POFA 2012
- —For ANPR tickets (no windscreen notice): The NTK must be sent to the keeper within 14 days of the parking event. If it arrives late, keeper liability never arises.
- —For windscreen tickets: The NTK must be sent within 56 days of the original notice being given.
- —The NTK must contain specific prescribed information — the charge amount, the vehicle details, the parking event, and a statement about keeper liability.
- —If any of these requirements aren't met, the keeper cannot be made liable under POFA 2012 — this is a complete defence.
Do you have to tell them who was driving?
No. Unlike with council PCNs or police matters, there is no legal obligation to name the driver to a private parking company. The company may imply you must identify the driver, but this is not correct. Choosing not to name the driver is a legitimate approach — it means the company must rely on keeper liability under POFA 2012, which only applies if they've followed the process correctly.
How to check if your NTK is valid
- —Check the postmark or delivery date: It must have been sent within 14 days (ANPR) or 56 days (windscreen) of the event. Count carefully from the date of the alleged parking event.
- —Check the required contents: The NTK must state the vehicle registration, the location and date of the event, the amount of the charge, and a statement that the keeper may be liable.
- —Check the operator's code membership: They must be a BPA or IPC member to access DVLA data. Verify at the BPA or IPC website.
- —Check the charge amount: The NTK must state the same amount as the original PCN (or a lesser amount if a discount has been offered and has not yet expired).
What to do when you receive an NTK
Don't ignore it — but don't automatically pay either. First, check the timing and contents as above. If the NTK is defective, respond in writing stating why keeper liability doesn't arise and requesting cancellation. If it's valid and you want to appeal on the merits, submit your informal appeal within 28 days. If you choose to appeal, the keeper's liability is preserved while the appeal is pending — paying or ignoring are the only ways it resolves without a formal response.
What happens if you just ignore an NTK
Ignoring an NTK that is validly served leads to further letters, debt collection correspondence, and potentially a County Court claim. If the NTK is defective (wrong timing, missing information), ignoring it is safer — but even then, responding formally to put the defect on record is better practice than silence. See our full guide on what happens if you ignore a private parking ticket.
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