Postal parking PCN
A postal parking PCN (Penalty Charge Notice), commonly known as a parking fine, is a PCN sent by post rather than being placed on your car or handed to you directly.
This usually happens when:
- your vehicle was caught on CCTV or an enforcement camera (e.g. parked illegally on a red route or 'Keep Clear' markings outside the school), or
- a civil enforcement officer could not safely issue the ticket in person (e.g you drove away before they could hand it to you, or they were prevented from issuing the notice by someone)
After receiving a Postal PCN, you have 28 days to:
- pay the PCN, or
- challenge the PCN by making a formal representation against the Notice
Only the named keeper of the vehicle can make a representation, or someone else with written permission from them. If you are making a representation online, you must submit a separate representation for each PCN number.
How to submit a representation
Challenges (also called representations) must be made using the methods stated on the Penalty Charge Notice. Do not send representations to council email addresses, other websites, or to individual officers they may not receive a response.
If a representation is received within 28 days, we have 56 days to consider the matter and send a response.
Reduced charge period
You can only pay a PCN at the reduced rate if payment is made within the time period stated on the PCN.
If your representation is not accepted and the reduced rate period has passed, the full charge of £50 or £70 will apply.
Representation outcomes
If the representation is successful, the PCN will be cancelled.
If the representation is not successful, a Notice of rejection will be issued.
All representations are considered following our Discretion policy.
Notice of rejection
After receiving the Notice of rejection, you have 28 days to:
- pay the PCN, or
- appeal to the independent adjudicator at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal
If you do not take action
If, after 28 days, you have not paid or challenged your PCN, a Charge Certificate may be issued, and the fine will be increased by 50% (e.g. if your fine is £50, the total amount you will have to pay will be £75).
Page last updated: 18 July 2025
