Split Parking Fine

[Thmagi]

My friend got a parking fine dropping me off. She says she didn't get the first letter and now it's doubled. I offered to pay half the original fine and she says that's not fair. I pay for use of the car each month and 1/3 of petrol. I understand she did me a favour, but I do pay for the use of the car which I only use when she is driving somewhere, though she has waited for me before.
I didn't tell her where to park and feel as though paying half the first amount is fair. I understand she may not have gotten the first letter (it's delivered to her parents address) and that must be frustrating.
She says if the situation was reversed she would pay half, but to be honest if it was reversed I would pay the whole thing because as the driver I'm the one looking for parking. I wouldn't expect a passenger to split a speeding fine even if I was doing them a favour.
When I said i felt I didn't feel as though paying half the late fee was fair she said she wouldn't pick me up anymore and I didn't have to pay petrol money,

Am I in the wrong?

[Maydup]

How did she get the parking fine? You say she was dropping you off, but it sounds as though she parked rather than just pulled in.

What happened exactly?

[Old_Geezer]

I guess it may hinge on whether she was going your way anyway, or making a special journey. But in either case there is no right or wrong. It's something that's negotiated/agreed. And friendship is more valuable to both of you than money.

Can she not contest the doubling as it went to the old address ? Apart from that, which aspect is most important to you ?

[andy-hughes]

It's a tricky one.

I understand your position, and I can see why you feel it is the responsibility of your friend, as the driver, to pay for the fine which you have not created in any way.

But if your friend is making a stand, and that is going to inconvenience you, which I guess it will, I'd be inclined to call her, say you've had second thoughts, and you don't want to fall out, so you will pay the half of the additional penalty.

It's always worth appealing any fine, especially if she can provide evidence that it was addressed incorrectly - so tell her to do that, and if she gets it quashed, she can give you half the money back.

I would try not to lose a friend, or a lift, and especially not both, even though you are morally right in your position in my view.

It's a matter of picking your battles, this one has 'lose' all over it for you, so time to make some amends.

Hope it works out for you.

[andy-hughes]

Old_Geezer and I have cross-posted, but it seems he is broadly in agreement.

[Thmagi]

She pulled in to a parking spot at a shopping centre to drop me off. I said I'd get an uber home but she offered to wait. She was photographed entering the parking lot and apparently was billed for how long she was in there.
She said she didn't notice any signs, but in a later message said, "I know I could have got a ticket but I didn't know how long you'd be and because the rest of the shops weren't charging I thought if I saw a ticket officer I could have moved on."

[barry1010]

She parked just to drop you off and wait for you. Entirely for your convenience. Pay up

[Old_Geezer]

Most unfortunate, but they don't care.
Is this a fine, or a demand ?

[Thmagi]

I did already pay for more than half the original fine, but the point of contention is the late fee from not paying on time.

[barry1010]

Is it worth falling out over? I would just give her the extra

[Maydup]

Under these circumstances I would pay.

Unless you want to suggest she disputes the ticket. If its a Penalty Charge Notice she absolutely must pay. If its a Parking Charge Notice then its an invoice.

See here

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/private-parking-tickets/

[Thmagi]

Thank you all for the advice.

Yeah, I know it sounds silly and stubborn (because it is) but it wasn't about the money. I just got frustrated because when she first brought it up I asked how much she wanted me to pay and she said whatever I thought was fair. Then brought it up this morning and said it was up to me. Then when I paid the amount she said it wasn't enough. It just kind of frustrated me because I felt she should have just given me the amount she wanted me to pay in the first place if that was the expectation. Instead I took the opportunity to ask friends and family (10 people) what they thought I should do and they all said half the original amount (some said none), so that's what I thought was fair.
I kind of regret not paying half now because things are awkward. I decided to pick the wrong battle.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

If DVLA had the correct address then she would have got the original notice. That's her fault. If you still want a friend and want a lift to work then I would just bite the bullet and pay what she has asked for.

[THECORBYLOON]

She's the driver and she chose where to park. She chose to wait for you and it sounds like she hadn't bothered to tell DVLA her new address.

You offered to pay half the original amount but the new amount is a consequence of her inaction and nothing to do with you.

[Jackdaw33]

Just how much are we talking about here?

[Cloverjo]

She was doing you a favour. Pay the whole charge.

[Thmagi]

It was a 90 pound fee. Originally 45 pounds.
I ended up paying the extra fee and said I still didn't want the lift. It wasn't about the money, it was about the point... but, as others said, pick your battles. I already told her I didn't agree. That will have to be enough.

[Jackdaw33]

£45? How long was she parked over the limit?

[Peter Pedant]

well if you want this to carry on
pay the half of the fine

[barry1010]

Jackdaw, that is a common fee for overstaying or not paying for paying for parking in a private car park.