Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are issued by local authorities under the Traffic Management Act 2004 for offences such as parking on double yellow lines, overstaying in a parking bay, or driving in a bus lane. Unlike private Parking Charge Notices, PCNs are civil penalties, not criminal fines, and cannot lead to imprisonment. They are typically issued by civil enforcement officers, fixed to your vehicle, handed to the driver, or sent by post (e.g., for CCTV-captured offences). Our team help you understand the specific details of your PCN and the grounds for challenging it.

You may have valid grounds to challenge a PCN if:

- No Offence Occurred: You complied with parking or traffic rules (e.g., parked within time limits or paid correctly).

- Unclear or Missing Signage: Road signs or markings were confusing, faded, or absent.

- Procedural Errors: The PCN contains inaccuracies (e.g., wrong vehicle details, location, or date).

- Mitigating Circumstances: You had a valid reason, such as a medical emergency or vehicle breakdown.

- Incorrect Charge Band: The fine is in the higher band when it should be lower (e.g., charged for a serious offence like parking on double yellow lines when the violation was less severe, like overstaying a parking ticket).

- Grace Period Ignored: You were not given the mandatory 10-minute grace period after your parking time expired.

- Late Delivery: The PCN was sent by post more than 7 months after the incident without referencing the Protection of Freedoms Act, making it potentially unenforceable.

Our team will review your case, advise on the strongest grounds for appeal, and gather evidence like photos of unclear signage, witness statements, or proof of payment to support your challenge.