Penalty Charge Notices

What happens when you park illegally or ignore certain traffic rules?

Nearly two thirds of parking (waiting) restrictions in the UK are now enforced through a system of civil rather than criminal penalties. Under the old system you would have been issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) under the new one you get a penalty charge notice (PCN). Under the old system you could challenge the 'ticket' in the magistrates court under the new one there is an independent adjudication service.

If you pay a PCN promptly you normally get a 50 per cent discount. So pay up or challenge quickly – never ignore a PCN. The penalty will increase if no action is taken.

In a growing number of places especially London it is not just parking that is enforced this way, certain 'moving offences' like ignoring bus lanes, right turn bans, box junctions and access restrictions are also dealt with under the civil system.

For more information

Offences in London
http://www.parkingandtrafficappeals.gov.uk/

Offences outside London
http://www.parking-appeals.gov.uk/

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