Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) explained
A Penalty Charge Notice is issued by a council or other public authority for a parking, bus lane or traffic contravention. It comes from a public body with statutory enforcement powers, which is what separates it from a private company's parking ticket.
General information · Last reviewed
What this document usually is
A PCN is a civil penalty issued under traffic legislation. It is usually put on the windscreen or posted to the registered keeper after camera enforcement. It states the alleged contravention, the location, the time, the amount, and the routes for paying or making representations.
Why you might have received it
- Parking in a restricted bay, on a restricted line or beyond a paid period
- Driving in a bus lane or through a restricted street
- A moving traffic contravention picked up by camera
- The vehicle is registered to you even though someone else was driving
What to check on it
- The issuing authority — a council or public body, not a private company
- The vehicle registration, date, time and location
- The contravention code and its description
- The amount, and whether a reduced amount applies if paid early
- The date the notice was issued or served
- The address and deadline for making representations or an appeal
PCN or private parking ticket?
They look similar and the abbreviation is used loosely, but the difference matters:
- A council PCN is a statutory penalty with a formal representation and independent adjudication route
- A private Parking Charge Notice is an invoice claiming a breach of the landowner's parking terms, enforced through the civil courts
- The issuer's name and the legislation cited on the notice tell you which one you have
How the stages usually run
Broadly, an unpaid council PCN moves through escalating stages — a formal notice to the registered keeper, then, if still unresolved, further enforcement steps. The exact sequence and wording are set out in the notice and on the authority's website.
If you want to challenge it
Challenges are usually strongest when they are factual: the signage was missing or unclear, the vehicle was not there, you had a valid permit or ticket, you had already sold the vehicle, or the details on the notice are wrong. Say what happened plainly and attach your evidence.
Things worth a second look
- A notice that asks you to pay a personal account or by an unusual method
- No issuing authority, contravention code or appeal address shown
- A demand that arrives with no earlier notice and jumps straight to a large amount
- Wrong registration or a location you have never been to — a possible cloned plate
What you might need to do next
- Decide early whether you are paying or challenging — the discount usually depends on it
- Photograph the signage and bay markings while they are still fresh
- Use the authority's stated representation route and keep proof of sending
- If your representation is rejected, read the notice about the independent adjudicator carefully
- Contact the authority if paying by the deadline is not possible
Official sources
Common questions
Q. What is the difference between a PCN and a Parking Charge Notice?
A. A Penalty Charge Notice is issued by a council or public authority under traffic law. A Parking Charge Notice is issued by a private parking company and is a claim for breach of their parking terms. The issuer named on the notice tells you which you have.
Q. Do I have to say who was driving?
A. For a civil parking PCN, liability normally sits with the registered keeper. Some notices ask for driver details in specific circumstances — read what your notice actually requests.
Q. Can I still appeal after paying?
A. Paying often closes the case. If you intend to challenge, read the notice carefully before paying.
Q. What happens if I ignore it?
A. Unpaid PCNs escalate through further statutory stages and the amount can increase. The stages are set out on the notice.
Related guides
Important disclaimer
General information about council Penalty Charge Notices. It is not legal advice, and procedures vary between authorities and between the nations of the UK. Always follow the dates and routes printed on your own notice, and contact Citizens Advice or a solicitor if you need advice.
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