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Parking and traffic penalties

PCN: first identify who issued it

What does this guide cover? A council Penalty Charge Notice enforces a parking or traffic restriction through a statutory civil process. A private Parking Charge Notice alleges that the driver broke the terms of a parking contract. The issuer named on the notice decides which rules apply.

£70
Outside London bus lane PCN
legislation.gov.uk, Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices, Charging Guidelines and General Provisions) (England) Regulations 2022 (as of 7 September 2026)
£100
Private parking charge cap under the sector code
British Parking Association and International Parking Community, Private parking sector Single Code of Practice, version 1.1 (as of 7 September 2026)
28 days
Normal private operator appeal window
British Parking Association and International Parking Community, Private parking sector Single Code of Practice, version 1.1 (as of 7 September 2026)

Two systems that share three letters

Council Penalty Charge Notice

Issued by a council or transport authority for parking, bus lanes and some moving traffic restrictions. The keeper uses the statutory challenge route, then an independent traffic adjudicator if the council rejects the formal representation.

Private Parking Charge Notice

Issued by a private parking operator for an alleged breach of displayed terms. It is a contract claim, not a council penalty. Appeal to the operator first, then use POPLA or the IAS if the operator belongs to the relevant trade association.

Common questions

Is every PCN a council fine?
No. A council Penalty Charge Notice is civil enforcement backed by legislation. A private Parking Charge Notice is a claimed debt based on the parking contract. The initials are the same, but the rules and appeal bodies are not.
Should I ignore a PCN?
No. An unanswered council notice can increase and become a registered debt. A private operator can add permitted recovery costs and bring a County Court claim. Paying is not the only response, but doing nothing removes useful options.
Who decides an appeal?
The issuer considers it first. A rejected council representation can go to London Tribunals or the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. A rejected private charge goes to POPLA for a BPA member or the IAS for an IPC member.
Does a PCN add licence points?
A council Penalty Charge Notice and a private Parking Charge Notice are civil matters, so neither adds penalty points. A police Fixed Penalty Notice is a different notice and can carry points for some offences.

Sources