I have received a PCN (penalty charge notice) - what do I do next?

The worst thing you can do is ignore a PCN - it WON'T go away and it will cost you more.

• Important deadlines
• Option 1 - pay the PCN
• Option 2 - Challenge the PCN
• Reason for the PCN
• Get independent advice

Important deadlines

• If you don't pay or make an informal challenge within 14 days you will become liable for the full charge of the PCN (£70 or £50), instead of getting a 50% reduction.
• If you don't pay the full charge (£70 or £50) within 28 days of the PCN being given, a notice to owner will be sent to the DVLA registered keeper. 
• After 28 days from the day you receive the notice to owner, if you still haven't paid or made a formal representation then a charge certificate will be sent and the penalty charge increases by a further 50% (£105 or £75). If you receive a charge certificate you must pay the charge within 14 days. There is no right to make a challenge at this stage. 
• If you still do not pay the charge, it may be registered as a debt in the County Court and debt recovery will be pursued, using bailiffs. The bailiffs will charge you for this.

Option 1 - pay the PCN

Pay a PCN / parking fine Pay a PCN / parking fine

You will be able to get a 50% reduction if payment of the PCN is made within 14 days of the date of issue. Once you have paid the PCN you have accepted liability for the penalty charge and can no longer make a challenge against the PCN.

Your PCN will show whether you have been charged £50 or £70. This will depend on the seriousness of the violation: 

More serious violations = £70 (discounted to £35 if paid within 14 days)
This is normally where the driver of the vehicle is regarded as having taken no steps to park correctly. For example, where the vehicle has been parked on yellow lines, in a disabled bay without the required permit or at a bus stop / stand.

Less serious violations = £50 (discounted to £25 if paid within 14 days)
This is where the driver of the vehicle has attempted to park correctly. For example where they are displaying an expired pay and display ticket for the date in question. 

The charges have been set by the Department for Transport and are identified by the contravention code the penalty charge notice has been issued on. The civil enforcement officers have no discretion when issuing the penalty charge notice if it to be of the higher or lower charge.

Option 2 - Challenge the PCN

If you think you have received a fine in error or have a good reason that you want to tell us about, you can challenge a parking fine. Have a look at the guide to PCNs for acceptable reasons to challenge: Guide to PCNs

If you decide to challenge a parking fine then you should not pay it until you know the outcome of your appeal.

To challenge a parking fine you will need:

• the PCN number (for example WJ12345678)
• the vehicle registration number

Informal challenge

You can challenge a parking fine any time up to 28 days after the date the fine was issued. However, if you challenge your fine within 14 days of receiving it you will only pay the reduced amount, even if your challenge is unsuccessful.

Make an informal challenge Challenge a PCN

Formal representation

You can make a formal representation if: 

• your informal challenge is rejected and you want to appeal against this decision, or
• you haven't paid the PCN after 28 days and receive a 'notice to owner'
  • you will have a further 28 days from the date on the 'notice to owner' to make a formal representation
  • you will need the web code printed on your 'notice to owner' letter, your WJ reference number and your vehicle registration number

You do not need to have made an informal challenge to make a formal representation.

Make an formal representation Challenge a PCN

If your formal representation is rejected, we will notify you of this by letter. This letter will also tell you how you can appeal this decision. The appeal will be dealt with by the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (opens new window) and their decision will be final.

Other ways of challenging your fine

By post

Please write to us at: Parking Services, PO Box 588, Swansea SA1 9GD

You will need to quote the number from your fine, which will start with WJ. You will also need to clearly state the reasons why you want to challenge the fine.

If you need help with this, you can call 01792 636000.

You cannot challenge a parking fine over the phone or in person. It must be done in writing.

Reason for the PCN

A contravention code appears on the PCN issued to your vehicle. This code tells the driver or owner why the ticket has been issued:

Guide to PCNs Guide to PCNs

Get independent advice

If you want independent advice on how to deal with your PCN visit: PATROL (Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London) (opens new window)