Private parking charge — you don’t have to name the driver
A private “parking charge notice” is a contractual claim against whoever was driving. To pursue you (the registered keeper) instead, the operator has to follow the strict rules in Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (POFA) — including issuing a compliant notice within tight time limits.
If the operator’s paperwork doesn’t strictly comply, it cannot transfer liability from the driver to the keeper. And you are under no legal obligation to name the driver. Many keeper-liability claims fail on exactly this point.
How to use it: appeal without saying who was driving. A good appeal is written “without any admission as to who was driving” and puts the operator to proof that its notice meets POFA. Our free letter tool includes this wording for private charges.
Council parking PCN — different rules
For a council parking PCN, the registered keeper is generally liable regardless of who was driving, so “naming the driver” usually isn’t the battleground. The appeal is about whether the contravention actually happened, the signage, or a procedural error.
Don’t confuse this with a speeding NIP. A speeding Notice of Intended Prosecution carries a Section 172 duty to identify the driver within 28 days — that’s criminal law, failing to respond is an offence, and you must never guess or falsely name anyone. See our speeding NIP guide.
Your questions
Do I have to name the driver for a private parking charge?
No. For a private parking charge you are under no legal obligation to say who was driving. A private operator can only pursue you as the registered keeper if its notice strictly complies with Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. If it doesn’t, and you don’t name the driver, the operator generally cannot transfer liability to you.
Is a council parking PCN different?
Yes. For a council parking Penalty Charge Notice, the registered keeper is normally liable regardless of who was driving, so naming the driver usually isn’t the issue — the appeal is about whether the contravention occurred.
What about a speeding NIP — do I have to name the driver?
Yes, and this is completely different. A speeding Notice of Intended Prosecution comes with a Section 172 requirement to identify the driver within 28 days. Failing to respond is a separate criminal offence, and you must never guess or falsely name someone. Don’t confuse a parking charge with a speeding NIP.