Guidelines about a challenge

The following are guidelines to reasons for which a penalty charge notice (PCN) may be cancelled, which are outside the specified grounds listed on the Notice to Owner.

If you feel that you have mitigating circumstances which resulted in your vehicle receiving a PCN, such as an illness or an accident please put full details of these circumstances in any appeal.

A PCN will also be cancelled if the Civil Enforcement Officer has made a mistake while issuing the notice, for example an incorrect vehicle registration number has been recorded.

Broken down vehicle

If you receive a PCN because your vehicle had broken down you will need to send in evidence with your appeal, such as an invoice confirming repairs undertaken to your vehicle or proof of vehicle parts purchased. Please note however that running out of fuel is not treated as a vehicle breakdown and is not a valid reason for cancelling a PCN.

Disabled badge holder

If you are a blue badge holder and you receive a PCN, this may have been issued because you incorrectly displayed your blue badge or for not displaying the time clock when required. A copy of the front and back of the valid blue badge is required to be sent in with your appeal. Please note this is only applicable when a notice has been issued for parking on double yellow lines, in a pay and display area or limited wait including residents parking bays, but not in areas where loading/unloading, bus stop clearway or taxi rank restrictions are in force. Cancellation will usually only apply the first time a PCN is issued. If you receive further notices for the same reason they may not be cancelled.

Loading or unloading

If you are loading or unloading goods into your vehicle and you receive a PCN for parking on double yellow lines or in a loading area then your appeal will need to include evidence of the goods you were loading or unloading, such as a delivery note. Please note that loading or unloading has to be ongoing and once the goods are delivered or collected then your vehicle must be moved into an unrestricted area. You cannot leave your vehicle for any period of time in an area where loading or unloading is not permitted.

Pay and display

If you receive a PCN for not displaying a valid pay and display ticket this may have been because the ticket was displayed incorrectly or it may have fallen to the floor. A copy of the valid pay and display ticket will be required to be sent in with the appeal. Cancellation will usually only apply the first time a Penalty Charge Notice is issued. If you receive further notices for the same reason they may not be cancelled.

If you parked in a pay and display area either on-street on in a car park and you were unable to purchase a ticket because the pay and display machine was not working and you subsequently received a PCN then your appeal should make reference to this. We can check whether any of our pay and display machines were not working at any time and if a fault is found then your notice may be cancelled. Please note however that if there is an alternative working pay and display machine close by then you will have been expected to use this.

Permit

If you receive a PCN for not displaying a valid permit (this also includes scratchcards) this may have been because the permit/scratchcard was displayed incorrectly or it may have fallen to the floor. A copy of the valid permit/scratchcard will be required to be sent in with the appeal. Cancellation will usually only apply the first time a PCN is issued; if you receive further notices for the same reason they may not be cancelled

Stolen vehicle

If your vehicle has been stolen and receives a PCN, your appeal will need to include a Police incident number which will be checked with the Police to confirm the time and date the vehicle was stolen.

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