Reasons and tips for challenging a PCN
The legal grounds for challenging a PCN
The law sets out the grounds on which you can make formal representations against a council Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), and they are printed on the Notice to Owner or postal PCN. For parking PCNs, and for bus lane and moving traffic PCNs outside London, they are the same in England and Wales:
- The contravention did not happen. For example, you were loading or unloading where that is allowed, you had paid for your parking, the signs or lines were missing, worn or unclear, or your vehicle was not where the PCN says.
- You were not the owner at the time. You had sold the vehicle before the date of the PCN, or bought it afterwards. Give the name and address of the buyer or seller if you know them.
- The vehicle was being used without your consent, for example it had been stolen. A crime reference number helps.
- You are a vehicle hire firm, the vehicle was on hire under a hire agreement, and the hirer had signed a statement accepting liability for penalties. Give the hirer's name and address.
- The penalty is more than it should be, for example a higher band penalty for a lower band contravention.
- Procedural impropriety: the council did not follow the rules, for example a notice was missing required information, or a charge certificate was sent before your appeal was decided.
- The traffic order behind the restriction is invalid.
- The PCN was posted because the officer was "prevented" from issuing it, but they were not.
- The penalty had already been paid, in full, or at the discount within the discount period.
London bus lane and moving traffic PCNs
Bus lane and moving traffic PCNs from the London boroughs and Transport for London come under London's own Acts, which give fewer grounds:
- Moving traffic (the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003): the contravention did not happen; you were not the owner at the time; the vehicle was being used without your consent; you are a hire firm and the hirer signed a statement accepting liability; or the penalty is more than it should be. London Tribunals counts a PCN that was never served, or was served late, under that last ground.
- Bus lanes (the London Local Authorities Act 1996): there was no contravention, which London Tribunals says includes a lane that was not properly signed, a vehicle that was allowed to use it and a penalty for the wrong amount; you were not the owner at the time; the vehicle was being used without your consent; or the police are taking action against the driver for the same incident.
These PCNs have no procedural impropriety ground, no invalid traffic order ground and no compelling reasons ground.
Road charging penalties, such as for the congestion charge, the ULEZ or a clean air zone, have grounds of their own: see how to fight a road charging penalty.
Compelling reasons
Even when none of the grounds applies, you can ask the council to cancel the penalty because there are compelling reasons, such as a medical emergency or a breakdown. The council has discretion to cancel a PCN at any stage and should publish its policy on when it does. An adjudicator cannot cancel a penalty for compelling reasons alone, but can recommend that the council does. That does not apply to London bus lane and moving traffic PCNs: their adjudicators decide only whether one of the London grounds applies.
Reasons that do not work
- "I wasn't driving." The owner of the vehicle, presumed to be the registered keeper, is liable whoever was driving.
- "I was only there for a minute." There is no general allowance on yellow lines. The 10-minute grace period in England applies only at the end of your time in a parking place, not where waiting is banned.
Tips for challenging a PCN
- Challenge early. For a PCN put on your vehicle, an informal challenge within 14 days gives the council the chance to keep the 50% discount open if it rejects your challenge; many do. See appealing against a PCN for every time limit.
- Check the PCN. Look at the date, time, place, vehicle registration and contravention code. Mistakes can be grounds for cancellation.
- Use the council's form or website, and quote the PCN number and your vehicle registration.
- State your case clearly and simply. Say which ground applies, or explain the compelling reasons.
- Send evidence and keep the originals: photographs of the signs and lines, your parking ticket or app receipt, your Blue Badge and clock, a delivery note to show you were loading, or a statement from a witness.
- Ask for the council's evidence, such as the officer's photographs and notes, if it has not been sent.
- Keep copies of everything you send and receive, with dates.
This page was checked against the law in England and Wales on 22 October 2026. It is general guidance, not legal advice: see the legal disclaimer.