Challenge a parking ticket

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There are 3 stages at which you may make a representation against a Penalty Charge Notice:

1. Informal Challenge – after the Penalty Charge Notice has been placed on your vehicle (and before a Notice to Owner (NtO) has been issued by Post)
2. Formal representation by the vehicle keeper only, after they have received a Notice to Owner (NtO) from the Council (Approx 28 days after the PCN was issued and after the full charge has become due.
3. Appeal to the Independent Traffic Penalty Tribunal, this can only be done if the Council has rejected a formal Representation in writing.

Do not send or make payment if you wish to challenge your Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Doing so will result in your case being closed and the council will be unable to accept your challenge.

Challenges

Once a PCN has been issued it cannot be cancelled by the Civil Enforcement Officer. Drivers who feel that a PCN has been incorrectly issued have the right to informally challenge the Notice. This must be received within 28 days of the Notice being issued. If your challenge is accepted the Notice will be cancelled and no payment will be required.

If the council feels that the PCN was issued correctly, a letter will be sent explaining the reasons for the decision. If you are unhappy with the outcome of your challenge then you can make a formal representation, see details below.

Online Informal Challenge Form

Representations

If your challenge is rejected or payment is not received within 28 days of the Notice being issued a Notice to Owner (NtO) will be served. The NtO provides details of how to make a formal representation to the council. It lists specified grounds on which representations can be made and explains the process which must be followed.

The council will let you know its decision in writing not later than the last day of the period of 56 days beginning with the date on which your representation was served to them. If your representations are rejected you will be sent a Notice of Rejection (NoR). The NoR will explain that you have the right to appeal against the council's decision to an Independent Adjudicator.

Online Representation Form

Appeals

Once you have received the NoR you cannot make any further representations to the council. If you still wish to contest the PCN you must appeal your case to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT). An appeals form will be sent out with the NoR. This contains details of the appeal process and what action you must take.

Adjudicators will consider each case, either by post or at a personal hearing, and their decision is final. There is no cost for the appeal process but if unsuccessful the PCN shall still be paid at the full charge.

• Pay a parking ticket
• Challenge a parking ticket (Penalty Charge Notice)

For more information on the progression of a PCN, view our PCN recovery flow chart 38kb.

For all enquiries please contact parking services on 0300 456 0100.

Further information

Further Independent advice on parking enforcement can be found at the:

• Patrol UK website
• Traffic Penalty Tribunal
• The Council's Discretion Policy

To view the Traffic Regulation or Parking Orders follow links:

• Off Street Car Park Orders
• On Street Traffic Regulation Orders

Last updated: 28 March 2011