Transport and streets

If you have received a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and believe you should not have received one, you can object by following the instructions below.

If you want to object to or make a representation against a PCN, write to us within 14 days of the PCN being issued telling us why by filling in the form or using the address below. 

If we disagree and do not cancel the PCN, you will have 14 days from the date of our reply to pay the discounted charge.

If we accept your reasons for disagreeing with the PCN, we will cancel it and you will not have to pay anything.

What happens next?

We will consider all objections to PCNs in relation to parking or bus lane contraventions.   

You have the formal right to make an objection to a PCN - but only after a Notice to Owner or Enforcement Notice has been issued.  Such notices are issued 28 days after you first receive the PCN.  In the case of a parking PCN observed by a camera operator the PCN also acts as the Notice to Owner or Enforcement Notice.

Please note that if you decide to pay the reduced amount in full settlement of the PCN, you will lose your right to make further objections.

What if I do not pay?

If you do not pay your PCN or do not send in your reasons for disagreeing with the PCN within 14 days, you must pay the full amount.

If we have still not received your payment after 28 days from the date of the PCN, we will send you a form called a Notice to Owner/Enforcement Notice.

Once you have received this form, you must send in any formal objections to the PCN within 28 days.

What happens next?

If you write to us within 28 days of the date of the Notice to Owner/Enforcement Notice, (or in the case of a parking PCN observed by a camera operator within 28 days of the PCN) we will consider your case. Then we will either cancel the PCN or reject your representations and tell you about your right to appeal.

If you are not satisfied with our decision to reject your representations, you will be able to appeal on specific grounds within 28 days of delivery of the Rejection Notice to the Independent Parking & Traffic Adjudicators.

What happens if you lose your appeal and do not pay/ignore the PCN?

We will send you a Charge Certificate asking you to pay an extra 50% on top of the full PCN price.  By this stage, you no longer have the right to make further appeals.

If you still do not pay, we will register the charge as a debt at a county court. We will then put the case in the hands of bailiffs who will add their own costs to the penalty charge.

Please respond to any letters or notices we send you.  You can contact us using the details at the end of this page.  Once bailiffs are involved, you should continue to deal direct with the bailiff company.

The Adjudicator's decision

The following rules apply to all appeals:

The Adjudicator's decision will be binding on both you and us. The Adjudicator may award costs against you or us, if the case is considered to be frivolous or vexatious.

If your appeal is unsuccessful, the full charge will be payable.

The Parking and Traffic Appeals Service is an independent organisation. An experienced lawyer will look into your case. You can go to the hearing in person if you want to, or you can appeal by post.

You will not have to pay to appeal to the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service.

Contact Details

Contact name

Penalty Charge Section

Telephone

020 8680 5170

Fax

020 8667 1066

Address

Parking & Support Services
PO Box 1462
Croydon CR9 1WX