PCN Appeal Letter Template – Free Download

Have you been given a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Over 32,000 people come to this site every month for advice on PCN tickets and fines. It can feel scary, but we’re here to help.

In this article, we’ll guide you through:

• The meaning of a Penalty Charge Notice and why you might have one.
• The steps to appeal and maybe even beat your PCN.
• The type of cars a PCN applies to.
• The need to pay your PCN and what happens if you don’t.
• Where to find more help if you need it.

Our team knows how it feels to get a PCN, and we’re here to help you sort it out. Let’s dive in and learn how to handle your PCN.

Is there an appeals process?

Fortunately, an appeals process could get you out of paying a PCN. But only when you can prove you didn’t deserve the fine.

The process is pretty straightforward as long as you keep to the deadline, 14 days if you were handed the PCN or 21 days if it arrived in the post.

The process starts with an ‘informal appeal’ to the issuing authority. Then there’s “the wait”. But in the meantime, everything is put on hold. You should get a letter from the issuing body relatively quickly. Maybe a few weeks.

It’ll be to accept your appeal or to reject it!

You then get to make formal representations against the PCN under the Traffic Management Act 2004.

How do I appeal a PCN?

To appeal your unwanted PCN, you must write to the issuing authority explaining why the charge is wrong!

It’s the first stage of the informal appeal. Plus, you should try to include as much evidence as possible. The more proof the PCN should be cancelled, the greater the chance of successfully appealing it!

What proof do I need to provide when I appeal the PCN?

The sort of evidence that may help you make a successful appeal against the PCN could be:

• Photos that show there were no parking restriction markings or signs where you parked
• An image of a valid pay & display ticket
• Photos of any signs that were unclear or not visible (hidden by trees maybe?)
• A witness statement from someone who was there explaining what happened
• An invoice from a tow truck if your vehicle broke down

You should also include this information along with the other documentation:

• When the ticket was issued
• Your vehicle registration number, otherwise known as its VRN
• Your address
• The Penalty Charge Notice number

Don’t make the mistake that some people make by sending originals. Just send copies with your letter of appeal against the PCN. Also, for peace of mind, send the appeal by registered post!

The bonus of using our PCN appeal letter template is that it could increase your chances of success, and your PCN could be cancelled!

But, an appeal could be rejected if you’re unlucky (and many motorists are). You’ll get a Notice of Rejection which is never fun. The positive is that you may be able to pay a reduced amount (50% less) if you pay the fine soon after receiving the rejection letter!

The downside is the fine goes up by 50% if you don’t appeal or pay the fine within 28 days of getting the letter of rejection.

What’s a Notice to Owner, and should I panic?

Don’t panic if you receive a letter from the issuing authority called a Notice to Owner. You have 28 days to lodge ‘formal representations’ against the PCN. The added bonus is that it’s free!

How long does it take to hear back from a PCN appeal?

The “wait” can last as long as 56 days. That’s nearly two months! Which is time enough to reconsider an appeal!

Is that the end of my appeal when the PCN is rejected?

No. You can still make an appeal to an independent adjudicator, the Traffic Penalty Tribunal if you’re outside London. If the fine was in London, it’s London Tribunals.

Don’t worry. You won’t have to attend a tribunal. Everything is submitted in writing!

You can even file your appeal online!

What happens if the tribunal rejects my appeal against a PCN?

If your appeal is rejected by the tribunal, it’s the end of the line! You’ll have to pay the PCN within 28 days to avoid paying 50% more!

Also, if you don’t pay up, the issuing authority could start legal proceedings against you. Best avoid this at all costs because the impact on your credit rating is not worth thinking about.

So, should you appeal to the PCN?

You could appeal the PCN and have it cancelled when you feel the fine was incorrectly issued to you. Just make sure you contest it within the deadline. Otherwise, you’ll lose out!

But don’t pay the penalty charge notice if you’re thinking about contesting the fine. You can’t do both. Just make sure you don’t drag your heels. Get things organised and send the appeal to the issuing authority sooner rather than later.

Like this, you may get to pay a lesser amount if an appeal is rejected, which is a bonus in a very frustrating and annoying situation!

Thanks for reading this post, and make sure you download my free PCN appeal letter template, which could help get the fine wiped!