A parking fine in court

When the appeal route is exhausted, the court is the last instance. Here is how it works for a parking fee — and for a control sanction.

The vast majority of parking cases are resolved without a court. But for one fine type the district court is the actual appeal instance, and for the other it is the last resort after the board.

Parking fee: the district court is the appeal route

A parking fee issued by the municipality or the police on a public road is not handled by the Parking Complaints Board. If you disagree, you appeal first to the issuer. If you are refused, you can require the case to be brought before the district court — the demand for a court review is sent through the municipality or the police (regulation on public parking fees § 7). It is then the public body that must take the case on to court. The fee itself must normally be paid in the meantime; if you are upheld, it is refunded.

Control sanction: the district court after the board

For a control sanction, the Parking Complaints Board is the natural step after the operator. If you — or the operator — disagree with the board's decision, the case can be brought before the district court by writ within four weeks after the decision is served. If that does not happen, the decision has the same effect as a legally binding judgment.

Weigh cost against the amount

A court case costs time and money, and if you lose, you can be liable for the other party's legal costs. For most parking fines the amount will be low compared with the risk of a court case. The court route is therefore most relevant in matters of principle or where the amount or the consequences are large enough to justify the effort. The free board handling resolves most control-sanction cases without it becoming necessary.

In short: for a parking fee the court route goes via the issuer to the district court; for a control sanction the district court is the last resort after a board decision, with a four-week deadline. Always weigh cost and risk against the fine amount before going to court.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a parking fine to court?
Yes. A parking fee can be required to be brought before the district court through the municipality or the police after you have appealed. A control sanction can be brought before the district court within four weeks of a decision by the Parking Complaints Board.
How do I bring a parking fee before the district court?
You appeal first to the issuer. If you are refused, you require the case to be brought before the district court; the demand is sent through the municipality or the police under the regulation on public parking fees § 7.
What is the deadline to bring a board decision before the court?
Four weeks after the decision is served. If that does not happen, the decision has the same effect as a legally binding judgment.
Is it worth going to court over a parking fine?
Rarely financially, since the amount is often low and you can be liable for legal costs if you lose. The free board handling resolves most control-sanction cases.