If you are issued with a penalty charge notice (PCN) you have the option to pay or dispute it. You can only dispute a PCN for specific reasons or grounds.
We’re unable to accept disputes over the phone or by email.
The easiest and fastest way to do this is online. Your PCN will be immediately put on hold while we deal with your dispute and there will be no escalation in charges until a decision is made.
There are 2 ways to dispute a PCN depending on its type and length of time since it was issued.
Find out more information about the different stages of PCNs.
How to dispute and view details of your PCN
Visit our PCN system to:
- submit your dispute, together with any evidence you have to support your case
- receive an emailed copy of your submission
- check that an online or postal dispute you have submitted has been received
You can also find out:
- where, when and why you were issued a PCN, including pictures and video
- how much you owe
- when your fine is due to increase, and how much you’ll have to pay
You will need your PCN number (starting QZ) and your vehicle’s registration number to view these details. Your PCN number can be found on the PCN.
For data protection reasons we are unable to provide this number to you on request.
If you’ve lost your PCN, don’t worry – your PCN number will be shown on the next letter that we send you.
Dispute and view PCN
Please note that due to coronavirus, postal deliveries are subject to delays, which could result in your dispute being received after charges have increased, or when it’s too late to dispute your PCN.
If you want to dispute your PCN by post, please write to us setting out the grounds of dispute, along with your PCN number, vehicle registration number and your full address.
Please also enclose copies of all supporting evidence.
We will reply in writing.
Send to:
Representations and Appeals
PO box 76121
London
E5 5FG
Frequently asked questions about disputing a penalty charge notice
There are two ways to dispute your PCN, either online or by post:
Online at dispute your PCN
Click the above green action button ‘Dispute and view PCN’.
You will need the PCN number and your vehicle registration number, please enter your registration number without any spaces.
By post
The address details for postal appeals are printed on the reverse side of the PCN.
The PCN is normally sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle as recorded by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
PCNs may also be issued to the nominated hirer/lessee of the vehicle if a valid hire agreement is provided by the registered keeper.
The person or organisation named on the PCN must make the representation, even if they were not the driver.
- the registered keeper can make a representation on behalf of a third party. However, we’ll not consider a representation from a third party unless the registered keeper provides us with written authorisation. So if the PCN has been passed to you by the registered keeper and you want to challenge the PCN, you’ll need ask them to write in on your behalf or provide you with written authorisation to include with your representation
- we’ll always advise the registered keeper of the outcome of any investigation
- if the registered keeper is a company and you are making a representation on behalf of the company, indicate your position and authorisation within the company when making your representation
No, once a PCN is paid the case is closed on the system and you are then unable to dispute
the PCN. The only exception applies to vehicles that have been removed to a pound.
No, your dispute will be logged on our system and the PCN will be placed on hold until a decision has been made. If your dispute is accepted the PCN will be cancelled and you will not have to pay.
If your dispute is rejected you will be sent a rejection of challenge letter explaining why.
Once the rejection of challenge has been issued, the hold is lifted and the discount period time will resume from the point the dispute was submitted.
We respond to all PCN disputes within 56 working days.
The registered keeper of the vehicle is legally liable for the charge.
The registered keeper can only transfer the liability for the PCN if the vehicle was on hire/lease when the contravention took place.
In this situation the registered keeper would need to provide the hire/lease agreement.
You can, but you will first need to obtain a signed letter from the registered keeper of the vehicle, giving you authorisation to dispute the PCN.
This is because, by law, the registered keeper of the vehicle is legally liable for the charge.
Please obtain this before making your dispute, and submit together with any other evidence you wish to present. We accept images via our online dispute portal.
You should make a representation within 28 days of receiving your PCN.
Late representations
If you make a representation outside of the 28-day PCN service period, it will be considered as ‘late’ and the Council isn’t obliged to consider late representations.
If your representation is late, you should provide evidence to outline why it’s late.
Forgetting to make a representation is not a valid reason, but if you were prevented from making the representation due to illness or a holiday then enclose proof of these circumstances and it may be considered.
If we receive your representation within the discount period
If you submit your representation within 14 days from the date of the notice, it will be put on hold at the discount amount until the council responds to your challenge.
If we don’t agree with your representation and you decide to pay the PCN
The discount period will resume from the point at which it was suspended.
If we accept your representation
We will send you written confirmation that you are no longer liable for the PCN and the fine has been cancelled.
If we reject your representation
We will send you a notice of rejection which will tell you what you should do next.
Your options will be:
- Pay your PCN.
- Appeal to London Tribunals – see how to make an appeal to London Tribunals below.
If we need more evidence
We’ll write to you to let you know about any further information or evidence we may need.
If you haven’t paid, contacted us or if you haven’t responded to the notice of rejection
You’ll receive a charge certificate. The charge associated with the PCN then increases by a further 50% of the full amount.
You can make a representation for this type of contravention (also referred to as a challenge) immediately upon receiving the PCN.
If we do not hear from you within 28 days of the PCN being issued
We will send you a notice to owner (NtO) in the post.
This will provide details of how you may then make a formal representation and the timescales involved.
This must be made by the registered keeper of the vehicle – see above for more details.
You can lodge an appeal with London Tribunals within 28 days of receiving a notice of rejection from us.
Complete the form that comes with the notice of rejection. Provide all the evidence you feel will support your case and send this directly to London Tribunals:
London Tribunals
PO Box 10598
Nottingham
NG6 6DR
London Tribunals will notify you and us of the hearing date.
We will also receive a copy of your appeal.
If we contest your appeal we will provide you with a copy of our evidence and submission we send to the adjudicators.
They will consider this and your evidence when reaching their decision.
If an Adjudicator at London Tribunals allows your appeal, we will promptly cancel the PCN.
If your appeal is not allowed and you do not pay, we will continue to enforce. You will normally receive a charge certificate as a result.
Find more FAQs by visiting:
Page updated on: 14 April 2022