Challenging a Parking Ticket (PCN)
How to challenge a Penalty Charge Notice issued by a council or private parking company.
Overview
A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) can be issued by local councils for on-street and council car park parking contraventions, or by private parking companies on private land. You have the right to challenge a PCN through informal and formal processes. Council PCNs follow a statutory appeal process, while private parking tickets can be appealed to POPLA (Parking on Private Land Appeals) or the Independent Appeals Service.
Who Can Use This Process
- You received a PCN from a council or private parking company
- You believe the ticket was issued incorrectly or there were mitigating circumstances
- You are within the time limit for challenge (usually 14–28 days for the initial challenge)
Step-by-Step Process
Check the PCN Details
Verify the date, time, location, vehicle registration, and contravention code. Take photos of any relevant signage, road markings, or your parking position. Note whether it is a council PCN or a private parking charge.
Make an Informal Challenge (Council PCN)
Write to the council within 14 days (28 days if served by post) setting out your grounds for challenge. Common grounds include unclear signage, broken meters, medical emergency, or loading/unloading. If rejected, you can make a formal representation.
Make Formal Representations
If the informal challenge fails or the council issues a Notice to Owner, you have 28 days to make formal representations on statutory grounds. The council must consider these and either cancel or uphold the PCN.
Appeal to the Tribunal
If formal representations are rejected, you can appeal to the independent Traffic Penalty Tribunal (England outside London) or London Tribunals (in London). The tribunal hearing is usually conducted by phone or online. The decision is binding on the council.
Private Parking — Appeal to POPLA/IAS
For private parking charges, appeal to POPLA (if the operator is a BPA member) or the Independent Appeals Service (if an IPC member). The decision is binding on the operator but not on you — if you lose, you can still choose not to pay (though the operator may pursue a court claim).
Costs
Important Warnings
Pay within 14 days for a 50% discount if you are unsure about challenging — you lose this discount if you challenge and fail.
Council PCNs are enforceable. Ignoring them can lead to a charge certificate and county court registration.
Private parking charges are invoices, not fines — but since the Supreme Court decision in ParkingEye v Beavis [2015], reasonable charges are enforceable.