Penalty Charge Notices (parking tickets)
In this section
Appeal your Penalty Charge Notice (parking ticket)
If you believe your Penalty Charge Notice should not have been issued, or that you have mitigating circumstances, you can appeal it using our Manage your Penalty Charge Notice tool.
Your Notice will be available to view 24 hours after it is issued. Simply enter your Penalty Charge Notice number and vehicle registration number, then you can view details and photographs of your Penalty Charge Notice and make a Challenge or Representation.
Please allow up to 24 hours prior to carrying out an online challenge.
Once we receive your challenge, we will give you a full written reply within 28 days.
Stages of appeal
There are three stages of challenging a Penalty Charge Notice: informal challenge (within the first 28 days), formal representation and Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
Informal challenge
An informal challenge can be made during the first 28 days after the Penalty Charge Notice has been issued. If the motorist appeals within the first 14 days, the discounted rate will be extended while the Council considers the challenge.
If the challenge is accepted, the notice will be cancelled and the motorist notified.
If more evidence is required, a letter requesting the details within 14 days will be sent to the motorist. If no information is received within 14 days, the case will progress. If the challenge is rejected, the Council will explain the reason and issue a Notice to Owner. If this is not completed, the motorist loses any further right to dispute the Penalty Charge Notice.
Formal representation
If the Penalty Charge Notice is not paid or successfully challenged within 28 days, the Council may serve a Notice to Owner requiring payment. The owner can then make representations to the Council.
Traffic Penalty Tribunal
If the representation is rejected, the motorist has the right to appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, an independent body set up to give motorists and Councils a formal tribunal hearing.
You have 28 days in which to appeal the Penalty Charge Notice or pay it. Failure to do so will result in the issuing of a Notice To Owner, at which point you are able to make a formal representation.
If an informal challenge is made against the Penalty Charge Notice within 28 days, then the charge is put on hold until the appeal is reviewed.
If no payment is received and no valid challenge or representation made within 56 days, a Charge Certificate will be issued and payment due will be increased. Non-payment of parking tickets will be treated as a civil debt and recovered through a bailiff.