What Car? Q&A - Will I get a parking ticket?

Q:The zealous parking attendants in my area arrive before the 8am time limit for cars to be off a single yellow line in my cul-de-sac. This means that they don’t miss a moment and cars can be ticketed at 8.01am.

This morning I arrived at my car at 8.01am to move it, only to find the attendant had started processing a ticket. He said that it was too late, he’d started issuing the ticket, but he hadn’t printed it or put anything on my car so I drove away. What is my legal position? Can he trace me and issue a ticket?
Alex Stone

Good news – as the attendant did not place the ticket on your car, the penalty has not been properly served and is therefore invalid.

Had the attendant attached the ticket before you drove off you would be liable for the fine and they could trace you from your numberplate.

Even if the warden had attached the ticket we would recommend appealing against the ticket. The Transport Select Committee has slammed councils' attitudes to deregulated parking enforcement as a revenue-raising tool.

It wants attendants to keep busy thoroughfares running freely, not fining motorists for overstaying their ticket by a few minutes or laying in wait for cars tucked away in cul-de-sacs.