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Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)
This page provides advice and information on parking tickets issued by a council or local authority. For Parking Charges, click here.
What is a Penalty Charge Notice? (PCN)
A penalty charge is a fine you have to pay when you break certain rules, usually related to parking. It’s issued by local councils or transport authorities rather than the police. For example, if you park in the wrong place, on double yellow lines, or don’t pay a toll, you might get a penalty charge notice (PCN).
It’s not a criminal offense, but if you don’t pay on time, the fine can increase. There’s usually a way to appeal if you think it was given unfairly.
How Do You Get Notified?
- A ticket on your vehicle (usually for parking violations).
- A letter sent to your home if the violation was caught on camera.
Can I Appeal?
Yes! If you think the penalty was unfair, you can appeal. Councils and transport authorities have a process for this, and if they reject your appeal, you can usually take it to an independent tribunal. Citizens Advice can help you. See the appeal stages below.
How Do You Get Notified?
- A ticket on your vehicle (usually for parking violations).
- A letter sent to your home if the violation was caught on camera.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO PAY or appeal?
STAGE 1:
DISCOUNTED PAYMENT
UPTO 14 DAYS
If you pay within 14 days, you often get a 50% discount (for example, a £60 fine might be reduced to £30). This is the cheapest option if you decide not to appeal.
STAGE 2:
STANDARD PAYMENT PERIOD
UPTO 28 DAYS
If you don’t pay within 14 days, you must pay the full amount. You can appeal within the 28 day period.
STAGE 3:
ESCALATION - CHARGE CERTIFICATE ISSUED
If you haven’t paid or appealed within 28 days, the fine increases by 50%. (Example: A £60 fine becomes £90). You can no longer appeal at this stage.
STAGE 4: ORDER FOR RECOVERY & COURT
ACTION (DAY 57+)
If you still haven’t paid after Day 57, the council registers the fine as a debt with the court. You’ll receive an Order for Recovery, giving you a short time to either:
-
Pay the fine in full.
-
Challenge it via a legal process (only if you have valid reasons, like never receiving the original notice).
STAGE 5: BAILIFF ACTION (FINAL STAGE)
If the fine remains unpaid, the council can send enforcement agents (bailiffs) to recover the debt. At this stage, extra fees are added, and the fine can become very expensive.
STAGE 1:
DISCOUNTED PAYMENT
UPTO 14 DAYS
If you pay within 14 days, you often get a 50% discount (for example, a £60 fine might be reduced to £30). This is the cheapest option if you decide not to appeal.
REMEMBER
READ THE SIGNAGE
STAGE 1:
DISCOUNTED PAYMENT
UPTO 14 DAYS
If you pay within 14 days, you often get a 50% discount (for example, a £60 fine might be reduced to £30). This is the cheapest option if you decide not to appeal.
STAGE 2:
STANDARD PAYMENT PERIOD
UPTO 28 DAYS
If you don’t pay within 14 days, you must pay the full amount. You can appeal within the 28 day period.
STAGE 3:
ESCALATION - CHARGE CERTIFICATE ISSUED
If you haven’t paid or appealed within 28 days, the fine increases by 50%. (Example: A £60 fine becomes £90). You can no longer appeal at this stage.
STAGE 2:
STANDARD PAYMENT PERIODUPTO 28 DAYS
If you don’t pay within 14 days, you must pay the full amount. You can appeal within the 28 day period.
STAGE 3:
ESCALATION - CHARGE CERTIFICATE ISSUED
If you haven’t paid or appealed within 28 days, the fine increases by 50%. (Example: A £60 fine becomes £90). You can no longer appeal at this stage.
STAGE 4:
ORDER FOR RECOVERY & COURTACTION (DAY 57+)
If you still haven’t paid after Day 57, the council registers the fine as a debt with the court. You’ll receive an Order for Recovery, giving you a short time to either:
-
Pay the fine in full.
-
Challenge it via a legal process (only if you have valid reasons, like never receiving the original notice).
STAGE 5: BAILIFF ACTION (FINAL STAGE)
If the fine remains unpaid, the council can send enforcement agents (bailiffs) to recover the debt. At this stage, extra fees are added, and the fine can become very expensive.
What to do:
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What to do:
- Explain why the fine was unfair.
- Provide evidence (photos, witness statements, receipts, or maps)
- Submit online via the council's website or in writing.
Good reasons for appeal:
- Signage wa unclear or missing.
- Your car was stolen or broken down.
- You had a valid permit or ticket.
- The PCN contains errors (wrong car details, location, etc).
Formal Appeal - REPRESENTATION
(WITHIN 28 DAYS)
If your informal challenge has been rejected or if you initially received your PCN by post, the next step is to submit a formal representation to the council. This involves clearly stating your grounds for challenging the PCN and providing any relevant evidence to support your case—such as photographs, witness statements, or documentation of extenuating circumstances. It is important to follow the council’s guidelines and deadlines, as they will review the evidence you provide and issue a formal response accepting or rejecting your representation.
Outcome:
- if accepted, the fine is cancelled
- If rejected, you'll be given another chance to appeal formally
MAKE SURE YOU APPEAL BEFORE YOU PAY
What to do:
- Follow the instructions on the PCN.
- Again, provide clear reasons and evidence.
- Keep a copy of everything you send.
Outcome
- If successful, the fine is cancelled
- If rejected, you get a "Notice of Rejection", which allows you to escalate the appeal further.
INDEPENDENT TRIBUNAL APPEAL (AFTER REJECTION)
If your formal appeal is rejected, you can take the case to an independent tribunal. This service is free, and you do not need a lawyer.
Who to Appeal To?
- England & Wales: Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
- London: London Tribunals.
- Scotland: Scottish Parking Appeals Service.
How it works
- You can appeal online, by post or request a phone hearing.
- The tribunal will review the case independently.
- If you win, the fine is cancelled.
- If you lose, you must pay the fine, but it won't increase further.
INDEPENDENT TRIBUNAL APPEAL (AFTER REJECTION)
If your formal appeal is rejected, you can take the case to an independent tribunal. This service is free, and you do not need a lawyer.
FINAL TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL APPEAL
ACT QUICKLY:
Stay polite and professional:
A clear and respectful appeal is more effective.
Gather strong evidence:
Photos, receipts, witness statements etc.
Double-check
details:
If the PCN has incorrect info (wrong reg number, location, or date), it could be invalid.
HOW DO I APPEAL?
If your Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) was left on your vehicle, you have the option to submit an informal challenge within 28 days, before the council formally requests payment. However, if your PCN was sent by post, you should proceed directly to submitting a formal appeal, bypassing this informal stage and moving on to Step 2.
WHAT TO DO
- Explain why the fine was unfair.
- Provide evidence (photos, witness statements, receipts, or maps)
- Submit online via the council's website or in writing.
How to pay
If you lose your ticket, it is important to promptly contact the issuing authority—usually the council or organization responsible for managing the fines—to obtain the necessary payment instructions. These instructions, which typically outline methods of payment, deadlines, and any associated fees, are usually listed on the original ticket. If you are unsure who issued the ticket or how to proceed, try searching online for the contact information of the local authority that operates parking or traffic fines in the area where you received the ticket. You can then ask them to reissue the payment details or guide you through any other steps you need to take to ensure you settle your fine correctly and avoid additional charges.
GOOD REASONS FOR APPEAL
- Signage wa unclear or missing.
- Your car was stolen or broken down.
- You had a valid permit or ticket.
- The PCN contains errors (wrong car details, location, etc).
OUTCOME
- If accepted, the fine is Cancelled
- If rejected, you'll be given another chance to appeal formally.
Formal Appeal - REPRESENTATION (WITHIN 28 DAYS)
If your informal challenge has been rejected or if you initially received your PCN by post, the next step is to submit a formal representation to the council. This involves clearly stating your grounds for challenging the PCN and providing any relevant evidence to support your case—such as photographs, witness statements, or documentation of extenuating circumstances. It is important to follow the council’s guidelines and deadlines, as they will review the evidence you provide and issue a formal response accepting or rejecting your representation.
HOW TO APPEAL
- Follow the instructions on the PCN.
- Again, provide clear reasons and evidence.
- Keep a copy of everything you send.
OUTCOME
- If successful, the fine is cancelled
- If rejected, you get a "Notice of Rejection", which allows you to escalate the appeal further.
INDEPENDENT TRIBUNAL APPEAL
(AFTER REJECTION)
If your formal appeal is rejected, you can take the case to an independent tribunal. This service is free, and you do not need a lawyer.
WHO TO
APPEAL TO?
- England & Wales: Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
- London: London Tribunals.
- Scotland: Scottish Parking Appeals Service.
HOW IT WORKS:
- You can appeal online, by post or request a phone hearing.
- The tribunal will review the case independently.
- If you win, the fine is cancelled.
- If you lose, you must pay the fine, but it won't increase further.
FINAL TIPS FOR A
SUCCESSFUL APPEAL
ACT QUICKLY:
Do it before the deadline
Gather strong evidence:
Photos, receipts, witness statements etc.
Stay polite and professional:
A clear and respectful appeal is more effective.
Double-check details:
If the PCN has incorrect info (wrong reg number, location, or date), it could be invalid.
ACT QUICKLY:
Do it before the deadline
Gather strong evidence:
Photos, receipts, witness statements etc.
Stay polite and professional:
A clear and respectful appeal is more effective.
Double-check details:
If the PCN has incorrect info (wrong reg number, location, or date), it could be invalid.
ACT QUICKLY:
Gather strong evidence:
Photos, receipts, witness statements etc.
Stay polite and professional:
A clear and respectful appeal is more effective.
Double-check details:
If the PCN has incorrect info (wrong reg number, location, or date), it could be invalid.
Formal Appeal - REPRESENTATION
(WITHIN 28 DAYS)
If your informal challenge has been rejected or if you initially received your PCN by post, the next step is to submit a formal representation to the council. This involves clearly stating your grounds for challenging the PCN and providing any relevant evidence to support your case—such as photographs, witness statements, or documentation of extenuating circumstances. It is important to follow the council’s guidelines and deadlines, as they will review the evidence you provide and issue a formal response accepting or rejecting your representation.
HOW TO PAY
If you lose your ticket, it is important to promptly contact the issuing authority—usually the council or organization responsible for managing the fines—to obtain the necessary payment instructions. These instructions, which typically outline methods of payment, deadlines, and any associated fees, are usually listed on the original ticket. If you are unsure who issued the ticket or how to proceed, try searching online for the contact information of the local authority that operates parking or traffic fines in the area where you received the ticket. You can then ask them to reissue the payment details or guide you through any other steps you need to take to ensure you settle your fine correctly and avoid additional charges.
CONCLUDED
Payment Confirmation: If you pay online, you usually get an instant receipt or confirmation email. Always keep proof of payment in case there’s an issue later. There is No Further Escalation: You won’t receive any more letters, reminders, or penalties related to that PCN.
NOTE: No Right to Appeal After Payment: Once you pay, you lose the right to appeal, payment is seen as accepting the charge. If you think the fine was unfair, it’s better to appeal before paying. Your Case Closed on Your Record. PCNs are not criminal offenses, so they don’t affect your credit score or go on a criminal record.
CONCLUDED
Payment Confirmation: If you pay online, you usually get an instant receipt or confirmation email. Always keep proof of payment in case there’s an issue later. There is No Further Escalation: You won’t receive any more letters, reminders, or penalties related to that PCN.
NOTE: No Right to Appeal After Payment: Once you pay, you lose the right to appeal, payment is seen as accepting the charge. If you think the fine was unfair, it’s better to appeal before paying. Your Case Closed on Your Record. PCNs are not criminal offenses, so they don’t affect your credit score or go on a criminal record.