A council Penalty Charge Notice and a private parking charge are not the same thing. They follow different legal frameworks, appeal routes and deadlines. ParkingTicketExpert.com helps you work out which process applies and what evidence to gather.
This single question determines much of what happens next. Do not assume that every document called a “PCN” follows the same rules.
Usually issued by a local authority for parking or certain traffic contraventions. The statutory process generally moves from challenge or representation to an independent tribunal if the authority rejects the formal case.
London has its own tribunal system for parking, moving traffic and road-user charging appeals. TfL also issues PCNs for red routes, congestion charging and low-emission schemes.
Issued by a private parking operator rather than a council. The first appeal is normally to the operator, with possible further appeal to POPLA or the IAS depending on the operator's trade association.
Operator appeals, POPLA, IAS, signs, payment records and evidence.
Informal challenges, formal representations and tribunal appeals.
Photographs, payment records, permits, correspondence and chronology.
What to check if enforcement has progressed to a charge certificate or order of recovery.
Barrie Segal founded AppealNow.com and became a long-standing parking and consumer commentator. His work included reviewing large numbers of parking cases, representing motorists, writing parking guides and participating in the High Court proceedings commonly known as Moses v Barnet. ParkingTicketExpert.com is intended as a clearer modern information hub rather than a substitute for the issuing authority, tribunal or regulated legal advice.