Some reasons for challenging a PCN (Parking Ticket)

• The information on the PCN is wrong or incomplete.
• You did not own the vehicle. (PCNs issued by post only)
• The contravention did not occur. For example: 
  •  Your vehicle was not on a yellow line.
  • You were entitled to park because you were loading. 
  • You had a pay-and-display ticket but the CEO failed to see it. 
• There were exceptional circumstances. 
• There are compelling reasons.

Tips for challenging a PCN (Parking Ticket)

• Put your point in writing and State your case clearly and simply.
• Make sure your letter contains:
  • A date
  • The PCN Number 
• If you have evidence, send copies and keep the originals safe.
• Evidence might include:
  • A pay-and-display ticket
  • Photographs o A statement or letter from a witness
  • A delivery note to show you were loading.
• Keep a copy of your letter.

Appealing against a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN - Parking Ticket) issued by a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO)

The Date of the offence is Day 1. Discount payment period lasts until day 14. The council should receive a written challenge to the PCN by day 28 but ideally day 14.

If a challenge is made within the discount period then the Secretary of State recommends that the enforcement authority should consider re-offering the discount for a further 14 days to incentivise payment.

Therefore, in the case of a PCN issued by a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO), you should make sure you challenge the PCN before day 14. Then you should still be offered the option of paying the discounted rate if your challenge is rejected.

If you and the council cannot agree whether to cancel or pay the PCN the owner of the vehicle can make a formal challenge to the council and appeal to the independent adjudicator.

Appealing against a against a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN - Parking Ticket) issued by Post

The Date of the offence is Day 1. Discount payment period lasts until day 14 (day 21 for offences detected on camera).

The council should receive a written challenge to the PCN by day 28 but ideally day 14 (day 21 for offences detected on camera).

Therefore, in the case of a PCN issued by Post, you should make sure you challenge the PCN before day 14 (day 21 for offences detected on camera). Then you should still be offered the option of paying the discounted rate if your challenge is rejected.

Where to go to make your appeal

Local Authority

Click here to find your local authority / council’s parking information including how to appeal/challenge a PCN.

Independent Adjudicator

Always appeal to your local authority before appealing to the independent adjudicator. The link to the Independent Adjudicators websites are below;

Independent Adjudicator for PCNs issued within London

Independent Adjudicator for PCNs issued in England and Wales excluding London

Independent Adjudicator Appeals

Here are a few notes and comments from Caroline Sheppard, the chief adjudicator of the new Traffic Penalty Tribunal

1. She said that motorists would be able to have their appeals heard by telephone instead of attending a hearing, in a move designed to encourage more drivers to challenge their tickets.
2. Drivers receiving tickets by post will also not be expected to have kept evidence that they were legally parked, such as pay and display tickets or a shop receipt to show they were loading.

   When balancing up the weight of evidence, the adjudicator will give due account to the fact that the motorist only heard of the penalty some time after the incident and therefore may not have had the opportunity to preserve the evidence. “Drivers’ own explanation of what happened will carry a lot of weight.”

3. "Trials of telephone appeals had shown they were very popular with drivers, who could fit them in during lunch breaks or take part from home"

   The driver dials in to a conference call that includes the adjudicator, a council parking official and any witnesses for the driver.

   The tribunal will accept photographs and videos taken by drivers, who can also elect for appeals to be held in their home town if they want to appear in person. Ms Sheppard said: “If you get a ticket in Brighton but live in London, we can arrange for the hearing to take place in London.” An online appeals service will be launched later this year. Adjudicators gain extra powers from today to allow an appeal if the council has not followed the correct procedure and can also refer a case back to the council if it “has not taken proper account of compelling reasons”.

For more information about appealig against a PCN see Appeal against a PCN (the new parking ticket) posts.