How to challenge a council parking ticket (PCN) in England and Wales

The stages

• 1. Ticket on your windscreen (or handed to you): you can make an informal challenge to the council. Many councils re-offer the discount if they reject it.
• 2. Notice to Owner: sent to the registered keeper if a windscreen ticket isn't paid. You then have 28 days to make formal representations.
• 3. Camera ticket by post: this counts as the Notice to Owner, so you make formal representations straight away, within 28 days.
• 4. Notice of Rejection: if the council rejects your representations, you can appeal free to an independent tribunal, usually within 28 days.
• 5. Charge Certificate and beyond: if nothing is paid or challenged in time, the amount usually rises by 50%, and the debt can later be passed to enforcement agents (bailiffs). Get advice quickly at this point.

The legal grounds

For formal representations and tribunal appeals, the law sets out grounds the council must consider. For parking in England they include:

• The alleged contravention did not occur. For example, you were loading, the signs or lines were missing or unclear, or a valid permit, ticket or Blue Badge was displayed.
• You weren't the owner at the time (sold before, or bought after).
• The vehicle had been taken without your consent.
• The penalty is more than the amount allowed.
• The Traffic Regulation Order (the legal order behind the restriction) is invalid.
• The penalty had already been paid in full (or at the discount, in time).
• There was a procedural impropriety by the council, meaning it didn't follow the required process.

Mitigating circumstances

Even if no legal ground applies, councils can cancel a PCN at their discretion for compelling reasons, such as a medical emergency or a breakdown. Explain what happened and include evidence. Note that a tribunal generally can't cancel a PCN on mitigation alone.

Useful rules to know (England)

• There is a 10-minute grace period at the end of a paid or free parking period in council parking places before a PCN can be issued.
• Councils can only use cameras to enforce parking in limited places, such as bus stops, bus lanes, school 'keep clear' markings, red routes and clearways.

Tips

• Take photos of the signs and lines where you parked as soon as you can.
• Ask for the officer's photos and notes if they're not already online.
• Always challenge in writing, and keep proof of what you sent and when.
• Never ignore council letters. Unlike private charges, council penalties can be enforced without a court case.