Should I Pay or Appeal my Luton Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)?

Having a Luton Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) can be a bit scary. You may be asking, “Should I pay or appeal my ticket?”

You’re not alone in this. Each month, over 32,000 people visit this site for advice on tickets and fines.

In this piece, we’ll help you understand:

What a Luton PCN is, and why you might have one
How to make an appeal and maybe beat your ticket
Who should pay for a Luton PCN
How much a Luton PCN might cost
What to do if your appeal is turned down

We know that getting a PCN can make you worried. But we are here to help – we have lots of tips and advice to share with you.

Let’s dive in!

Do You Have to Pay?

In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your fine.

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Not only did I save £50 on solicitor feeds, I also won my case and didn’t have to pay my £271 fine.

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Why have I got a Luton Council PCN?

The local council, police, or other official agencies may issue you with a PCN for a variety of reasons. Minor parking offences are the most typical reasons.

Some of the reasons for a Luton PCN are as follows:

Illegal parking in a public place, such as at traffic lights,, pedestrian crossings, zigzag lines or on the pavement
Driving in a bus lane
Parking without a badge in a blue-badge (disabled person) parking place
Parking in designated loading and unloading areas
Overstaying your parking period at a council-run car park

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How do I pay my Luton PCN?

You can use the online site to pay a penalty charge notice issued by Luton Council. However, based on the portal, it appears that only PCN relating to parking and traffic violations can be resolved in this manner. You can also use this gateway to view photographic proof of what offence you have been issued a PCN for.

For other types of penalty costs, payment instructions should be mentioned somewhere in the PCN documentation. If you have any questions concerning a PCN, contact Luton Council at [email protected] for more information or call the Luton PCN contact number.

You have 28 days from the date of the PCN to make full payment. You will not be able to pay in instalments. However, if you settle the PCN within 14 days of its issuance, you will only be required to pay half of the penalty price.

Online	https://parking.luton.gov.uk/
By phone	0300 456 2725
By post	Not available for Luton PCN payment

Who’s responsibility is to make a Luton PCN payment?

Even though they were not the driver when the fine was imposed, the registered keeper is liable for the Luton PCN. Of course, if someone else was driving the vehicle at the time the PCN was issued, you can and should urge them to pay the fine. However, they are not legally required to do so, and it is ultimately up to you, as the vehicle’s registered keeper, to ensure that the PCN is paid.

I’ve received a parking ticket from Luton airport. Can I appeal?

If you received a parking ticket at Luton Airport, it is most likely a Parking Charge Notice from a private company. If you believe you were wrongfully issued a parking ticket at Luton Airport, you can file an appeal with the issuer directly.

In your appeal, you should offer a clear explanation of why you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly, as well as any proof that supports your position. If your appeal is denied, you may file another appeal with POPLA.

POPLA is an independent appeals service. POPLA can be used to escalate appeals for Parking Charge Notices on private property, although it is recommended that you first contact the private entity that issued the ticket.

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Situation

Initial Fine	£100
Additional Fees	£171
Total Fine	£271

The Appeal Process

Scott used JustAnswer, online legal service to enhance his appeal. The trial of this cost him just £5.

Total Fine	£271
Cost of legal advice	£5

JustAnswer helped Scott craft the best appeal possible and he was able to win his case.

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Can I appeal my PCN from Luton?

You can certainly lodge a Luton PCN appeal, but there must be a valid reason. Your appeal will be denied if you do not provide this, and you will still be liable for the fine.

You can appeal a PCN for a variety of reasons, including:

A PCN was issued before the purchase of the car.
A PCN was given after you sold the car – the new owner is the registered keeper and is liable.
The vehicle had been reported stolen when the PCN was given.

It doesn’t matter whether you received the fine through the post or it was left on your windscreen; if you believe you have grounds to appeal, you can do so.

Appeals must be submitted within 28 days after receiving the fine; otherwise, you will lose your right to appeal. You must also provide the following information with your appeal:

The grounds for your appeal against the PCN
The PCN number
Details about your vehicle’s registration
Any supporting documentation, such as images and receipts. You can also request to see the evidence held by Luton council, as shown in the below forum post.

Source

My Luton parking PCN appeal has been rejected; now what?

If your appeal is denied, you have two choices. You can either pay Luton PCN or if you firmly believe it was incorrectly issued, you can escalate it to a tribunal. This is where an independent body looks at your appeal and evidence and has the final say in whether it should be paid or not.

You will always receive а response via the post for your informal plea, either asking for further information or informing you of the outcome of the appeal. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, you have the option of seeking formal representation.

If you do this, it is a good idea to get legal assistance to represent you and prepare for your appeal to be heard in court. If you lose the court case, you must pay court expenses, legal fees, and a penalty charge. As a result, you should not go this far unless you are fairly certain you will win the appeal.

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What happens if I do not pay my PCN?

The authorities may take legal action against you if you do not pay the PCN within 28 days. They will issue you a Charge Certificate, which you must react to. Furthermore, the total amount of the fine is increased by 50%.

Essentially, a £50 fine becomes a £100 fine, and a £70 penalty becomes a £140 fine!

If you continue disregarding the authorities’ requests for Luton Borough Council pay PCN, they will seek a court order against you if you are the registered keeper. If you continue to disregard the court’s letters, you may find yourself with a county court judgement (CCJ), which stays on your credit record for six years and can stop you from getting a mortgage.

Not only that, but a bailiff from the court’s enforcement office may visit your home. If this happens, as well as adding their own (expensive!) fees, you may also lose your vehicle and other personal possessions to cover the cost.

This is why it is essential to either pay the fine as quickly as possible to take advantage of the 50% discount or appeal.

Do I need to tell my insurance company about a PCN?

Most insurance companies do not require you to disclose any PCNs you have received. It is quite improbable that a PCN will have an impact on the insurance coverage you are offered. However, the insurer must be aware of events and accidents in which you and other identified drivers have been involved over a specific time period, usually five years.