Can I Pay a Fixed Penalty Notice in Instalments?

Have you received a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) and are worried about how to pay it? Rest easy; we’re here to help. Each month, we guide over 32,000 people, just like you, through their concerns about tickets and fines.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• What a Fixed Penalty Notice is and the reasons you may be given one.
• Steps to appeal against the notice, and how to win.
• The need to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice and the problems if you don’t.
• Can you pay a Fixed Penalty Notice in instalments?
• Where to find more help if you need it.

We know that getting a Fixed Penalty Notice can be a big worry, especially if paying it in one go will put a strain on your money. But don’t worry, we understand your situation, and we’re here to help. So, let’s dive in and learn more about how you can deal with your Fixed Penalty Notice.

Is a Fixed Penalty Notice the Same Parking Charge Notice?

This is a common question and an important one at that. The terms parking charge notice, and penalty charge notice (FPNs for parking offences would be the same as a penalty charge notice) are so similar it is very easy to confuse them. So maybe an explanation of each of them is needed here.

• A penalty charge notice (or FPN in this case) is an official parking fine that has been given to you by the local authority, their agent or the police in some cases. You cannot avoid paying this fine, and if you ignore it, you could end up being prosecuted in certain circumstances.
• A parking charge notice is simply an invoice from a private parking operator, asking you to pay for parking. For example, you might park in a Tesco car park, and then be sent a parking charge notice for some supposed parking fee. You cannot be made to pay these charges and in most cases, you can just throw the notice in the bin.

You need to be careful if you are sent what looks like a penalty charge notice in the post. Some private parking operators like to try and fool you into thinking this is an official fine when it is just a parking charge notice.

Why Are You Given a Fixed Penalty Notice?

When it comes to being given an FPN for parking-related offences, there are quite a few reasons why you might be given one, and I have listed some here:

• You parked in a permit holders-only bay.
• You didn’t display a valid ticket in a pay-and-display car park.
• You parked in a bus lane or on a double yellow line.
• You overstayed the time that you paid for parking.
• You parked in a disabled space and didn’t have a disabled sticker displayed.
• You parked in a dangerous or inappropriate place.

Other Reason for Being Given a Fixed Penalty Notice

Even though this post is primarily about FPNs that are handed out for parking offences, for completion’s sake, I am going to list some of the other reasons why you might be given an FPN. Just in case you ended up reading this blog post but have been given an FPN for something other than parking. So here goes:

• Motoring offences such as speeding, driving in a bus lane, not stopping in a yellow box junction, or jumping a red light.
• Antisocial behaviour in a public place.
• Public littering.
• Minor damage to property, such as graffiti.
• Failing to ensure your children attend school regularly.
• Making too much noise at night.

This is not the full list of offences that could result in an FPN, but I am sure the offences I have listed will give you a good idea of the severity of offences that an FPN might cover. If you are unsure of why you were given an FPN, you can log into the Directgov website and get more information.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

Do You Have To Pay a Fixed Penalty Notice?

You can’t appeal against an FPN, as there is no appeal process. An FPN is a more efficient alternative to full court proceedings. If you want to challenge the FPN then this would instigate the entire court hearing process. If you do go the court route to challenge the FPN, be aware that if you lose, you are going to be liable for court costs, legal costs, and the full fine as well. So have a long, hard think before you go to court. In some cases, it might be simpler just to pay the FPN and be done with it.

Join thousands of others who got legal help for a £5 trial

Getting the support of a Solicitor can take a huge weight off your mind.

Get started

Reviews shown are for JustAnswer.

Can You Pay a Fixed Penalty Notice in Instalments?

When you are given or sent an FPN, you have 28 days from the date that it was issued to pay the fine. You can do this by logging into the UK Government websites (or Directgov as they like to call it) and making a payment. To do this, you will need to have on hand:

• The FPN number.
• The date of the offence.
• The offence code.
• Your email address.
• Your telephone number.
• A valid payment card (credit card or debit card).

If you prefer not to pay online, you can send in a cheque by post. The address you need to send the cheque to is printed on the notice. 

And now we come to the crux of the situation, what to do if you cannot afford to pay the fine? Unfortunately, there is no provision made for paying the fine in instalments. You have to pay the entire fine in one go. If you don’t have enough cash available to pay the fine, you will need to find it from somewhere. 

As already mentioned, you can pay by credit card, so as long as you still have enough of your credit limit left, this could be a solution. Asking friends and family if they can lend you the money might also be another solution.

So there we have it. A fine for a fixed penalty notice can’t be avoided, you have to pay it. Challenging an FPN could end up being a costly endeavour if you fail to win your case. And lastly, you have to pay the whole fine in one go, you can’t set up an easy, monthly payment plan.

Where To Find More Help

If you want some real-world advice about dealing with a fixed penalty notice, you might like to take a look at one of the large public discussion forums that have a section covering parking fines. You can register for an account, and then post asking your questions. You will receive advice and information from real people. Always double check facts you are given though.