What is POPLA and how do I use it?
If your first-stage appeal to the parking operator is rejected, do not pay. You have a second, independent appeal route available — and it is completely free. It's called POPLA, and for airport drop-off charges, it is where most cases are decided in the driver's favour.
What is POPLA?
POPLA stands for Parking on Private Land Appeals. It is an independent appeals service, funded by the parking industry but entirely independent of individual operators. POPLA adjudicators review evidence submitted by both the driver and the operator and make a binding decision.
"Binding" is the key word: if POPLA rules in your favour, the operator must cancel the charge. They cannot refuse or continue to pursue you.
Who can use POPLA?
POPLA is available if the operator is a member of the British Parking Association (BPA). Most major airport parking operators — including APCOA (Heathrow, Stansted) and NCP (Gatwick) — are BPA members. You can check your PCN or the BPA website to confirm.
If the operator is a member of the International Parking Community (IPC) rather than the BPA, the equivalent service is the IAS (Independent Appeals Service), which works in a similar way.
How do I get a POPLA code?
When a BPA-member operator rejects your informal appeal, they are required by the BPA Code of Practice to provide you with a POPLA verification code in their rejection letter. This code is your ticket to the POPLA process. If they fail to include it, you can contact them and demand it — they are obligated to provide it.
How do I submit a POPLA appeal?
- Go to popla.co.uk
- Enter your POPLA verification code
- Complete the online form — you'll be asked to describe your grounds of appeal and upload any supporting evidence
- Submit — the process is entirely online and free of charge
You have 28 days from the date the operator rejects your appeal to submit to POPLA. Don't let this deadline lapse.
What should I include in my POPLA submission?
For an airport drop-off charge, your strongest grounds are:
- The land is not "relevant land" under POFA Schedule 4 (airport statutory control exclusion)
- Signage non-compliance with BPA Code of Practice paragraph 18
- The vehicle was present for no more than 5 minutes (within the mandatory consideration period)
- The charge was not notified before the contract was entered into (Thornton v Shoe Lane Parking)
- The charge is not a genuine pre-estimate of loss and is an unenforceable penalty
Include any evidence you have — screenshots of the area, photographs of signage, a map showing the approach road layout, or a boarding pass confirming the passenger's flight.
How long does POPLA take?
POPLA adjudications typically take 6 to 8 weeks from submission. You will receive a written decision by email. During the process, no enforcement action should be taken by the operator.
What if POPLA rules against me?
If POPLA rules in the operator's favour — which is uncommon on airport grounds — you will need to pay the charge or consider whether you have further legal options. At that stage, it may be worth seeking advice from a solicitor or Citizens Advice, particularly if the amount is significant.