Challenging a Penalty Charge Notice and making representations

This information applies to moving traffic contravention PCNs, school restriction PCNs and circumstances where a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) is unable to serve a PCN on-street.

Can I pay the PCN and make a representation?

If payment is received before a representation against a PCN, the case will be closed and we will be unable to consider your representation.  If payment is received after we have written to inform you that your representation has been rejected, you will not have the opportunity to pursue an appeal.

Can I still pay the reduced charge if I make a representation?

Yes, you can still pay the reduced charge, as long as your representation is received within the reduced payment period as specified on the PCN.  If your representation is rejected, a Notice of Rejection will be served which will give you the opportunity to pay the reduced charge for a further period of time as specified on the notice. If your representation is received after the reduced payment period has expired, or we reject your representation and payment is not received during the time specified on the Notice of Rejection, the full charge will apply.

What happens when we receive a representation?

There are nine grounds for making representations, but we will consider any mitigating circumstances.  We will reply to your representation as soon as possible and then serve you with a notice informing you of our decision.  If we accept your representation, we will cancel PCN and you will not have to pay the charge.  If we do not accept it, you will have a period of 28 days beginning with date of service of the Notice of Rejection in which to either pay the charge or appeal against our decision to the independent adjudicator.  The Notice of Rejection will provide information on how to make an appeal to the adjudicator.

What happens if I make an appeal to the adjudicator?

The adjudicator will consider the case and make a decision based on all the evidence provided.  You will be notified of the adjudicator's decision in writing.  If the adjudicator allows your appeal, you will not have to pay the charge.  Please note that an adjudicator cannot allow an appeal on the basis of mitigating circumstances but may refer the case back to the authority for further consideration.  Further information is available at Environment and Traffic Adjudicators (ETA).

What happens if I receive the PCN and do nothing?

If neither full payment nor representations are received within 28 days of the date of the PCN, the charge may increase by 50% and a Charge Certificate may be served seeking payment of the increased charge.