Should I Pay or Appeal Heathrow Drop off PCN? Easy Guide

Have you been handed a PCN from Heathrow Drop Off car parks? It can feel worrying, but you’re certainly not alone. Over 32,000 people visit this site each month, looking for guidance on tickets and fines. It can seem like a big problem but don’t worry. In this easy guide, you’ll learn:

• What a Heathrow Drop Off Charge is.
• How much you might need to pay.
• What happens if you don’t pay.
• How to contest the charge.
• How to get in touch with the operator.

Our team has a lot of experience with situations just like yours. We know it can feel confusing and maybe a little scary, but we’re here to help you. So take a moment, breathe, let’s dive in to find out how best to handle your PCN.

How much is the Heathrow Drop Off charge?

The Heathrow Drop Off charge is set at £5 for each vehicle that drops anyone at the airport’s drop-off zones. Prepayments last for 12 months when you set up the autopay option. 

There’s also two other payment options, which are to use the automated phone service or you can pay online.

It’s worth noting you can only pay the Heathrow Drop Off fee via these three options!

The charge is applicable throughout the year, 24-hours a day. Moreover, ANPR records every vehicle number plate that enters the airport’s drop-off zones.

Motorists can avoid paying a Heathrow Drop Off charge by going to the Long Stay car parks and dropping people off there. Plus, there are free transfer buses to all of Heathrow’s terminals from the car parks!

What happens when you don’t pay a Heathrow Drop Off charge?

You’d get fined £80 when you don’t pay the £5 Heathrow Drop Off charge. However, if you pay the fine within two weeks, the amount is reduced by 50%. So, instead of paying £80, you get to pay £40.

Moreover, you don’t pay Heathrow because the fines are issued by a private company!

How do you contest a Heathrow Drop Off PCN?

You have the right to contest a Heathrow Drop Off PCN when you feel it’s wrong or unfair. You have the option to:

• File an appeal against the PCN
• Request a refund from the operator

You can view the evidence against you online which helps establish if the PCN was correctly issued to you! Plus, you’ll need to provide as much evidence as possible as to why the charge should be cancelled.

What exemptions are there for paying a Heathrow Drop Off Charge?

There are only a few exemptions to paying a Heathrow Drop Off charge which I’ve listed here:

• Emergency services
• Permitted working vehicles
• Military vehicles

However, there are certain discounts afforded to some vehicles which include:

• Black cabs (licensed)
• Holders of Blue Badges
• Recovery vehicles
• Motorbikes (two-wheeled)
• Heathrow Valet Parking
• Coaches and buses

How to avoid paying Heathrow Drop-Off parking tickets

If you want to avoid paying a Heathrow Drop-Off fine then you’ll need an airtight appeal.

The best way to perfect your appeal is getting a little advice from a Solicitor. I’d 100% recommend spending a fiver to get a trial of JustAnswer.

You can explain your situation in their chat and they’ll connect you with a Solicitor who can advise you and give you the best chance to win your appeal.

Click here to get the trial offer with JustAnswer.

How do you pay a Heathrow Drop Off PCN?

Once you know the PCN is yours and it was served correctly, you should try to pay within two weeks. You’d pay the lesser fine when you pay within 14 days!

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

You can pay a Heathrow Drop Off PCN online by providing the following information:

• The Parking Charge Notice reference number
• Your vehicle registration number (VRN)
• Your payment method

Should you pay a Heathrow Drop Off PCN straight away?

You could pay a Heathrow Drop Off PCN immediately after it arrives. But rather than pay, you should first:

• Check the PCN is yours and that it was correctly issued
• Establish the PCN arrived by post within 14 days of the alleged infringement

Only pay the PCN once you’re satisfied it’s correct and you deserve it!

How do you get in touch with the operator?

I’ve listed the operator’s contact details here:

Challenge a Heathrow Drop Off PCN	DRPL, PO Box 230, MANCHESTER, M34 0DW
Request a refund	[email protected]
Customer Service	0333 200 7459
Complaints	0333 200 7459

What excuses could you use to contest a Heathrow Drop Off PCN?

There are a number of excuses you could use to contest a Heathrow Drop Off PCN which include:

• The PCN arrived in the post well over 14 days after the alleged violation
• The signs in the airport were confusing/unclear
• You tried to pay the fee within 24 hours but there was no way to do so
• You have evidence you were not the driver when the PCN was issued

I’ve included an example of how poor signage resulted in a motorist receiving a Heathrow Drop Off PCN here.

Source: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6363761/pcn-heathrow-terminal-5-drop-off-zone