Guidance Relating to Challenging a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)
Motorists have a responsibility to be aware of the meaning of the signs and lines which denote parking and other traffic regulations. In particular, when parking there is always ample opportunity to look for signs and lines and to ensure that you comply with them.
Visit here to see some of the common signs and lines that are used to denote parking restrictions.
Please note that although mitigating circumstances will be considered, the following reasons will NOT normally be accepted as justification to cancel Penalty Charge Notices:
- My meeting / doctors appointment / dental appointment / court attendance over ran
- There was nowhere else to park
- Other vehicles were also parked illegally and I did not see them get a ticket
- There was no need for a yellow line at that location
- The parking restrictions were unfair
- I did not see the sign or lines
- My vehicle was not causing an obstruction
- I went to get change for the pay and display machine
- I only stopped for a minute
- I was parked outside my own house
- I got lost and so could not return in time to my vehicle
- I had lent the car to a friend and he / she won’t pay the penalty
- This is too much money to ask for a parking contravention
- I am not the owner / keeper because I hired / leased the vehicle
- I have a valid residents permit but I was not driving the car for which it is valid
- My vehicle ran out of petrol
- I parked out of bay because of the vehicle next to mine
- I thought I was parked legally but made a genuine mistake
- This is the first time I’ve got a parking ticket / I won’t do it again / I’ll be more careful next time
Please note that Parking Attendants do not have the authority to cancel a PCN once it has been issued.