40 Penalty Charge Notice Laws You Need to Know

Have you got a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)? This can be a worry, but we are here to help. Each month, over 32,000 people come to us for advice on tickets and fines, just like you.

In this easy-to-understand guide, we will:

• Explain what a Penalty Charge Notice is and why you might get one.
• Talk about the 40 main reasons, both for parking and not parking, why you might get a fine.
• Show you how to fight a PCN if you think it’s not fair.
• Discuss about other fines that are not for parking.
• Give you some tips about traffic cameras, so you can avoid more fines.

We have lots of experience guiding people who have got a PCN. We know it can be scary, but we’re here to support you. Let’s get started and learn more about these laws.

Parking Related Penalty Charge Notices

All of the bullet points below cover laws and rules related to parking that could result in official parking fines. Each of these could see you given a PCN. However, some of these are at the discretion of the person who is patrolling the streets, checking for parking offences. You might get away with some of these or not, depending on who catches you.

1. Parking on a double yellow line – In the UK, yellow lines denote restrictions on parking. Double yellow lines signify no parking at any time. Parking here, even for a short period, can earn you a PCN.
2. Parking on a single yellow line during restricted hours – Unlike double yellow lines, you can park on single yellow lines outside of the times indicated on nearby signs. However, during the restricted hours, parking will result in a fine.
3. Exceeding Pay and Display time – When you purchase a ticket from a Pay and Display machine, there is a clear expiry time. If your vehicle remains parked beyond this time, you’re at risk for a PCN.
4. Not displaying a valid parking ticket – In some areas, you need to buy and display a parking ticket. Failure to display this ticket or displaying an expired ticket can lead to a PCN.
5. Parking in a residents-only area without a permit – Many UK residential areas are protected to ensure residents have places to park. If you park in such an area without the correct permit, expect a PCN.
6. Parking on the footway – Vehicles parked wholly or partly on pavements can obstruct pedestrians and those with disabilities. This can result in a fine.
7. Parking in a loading bay without loading – Loading bays are designed for vehicles to pick up or drop off goods. If you park without loading or unloading, you’re likely to get fined.
8. Parking in a disabled space without a Blue Badge – These spaces are reserved for Blue Badge holders only. Misuse of these bays can lead to a PCN.
9. Parking in a taxi rank – These ranks are exclusively for taxis. Any other vehicle parked here can be penalised.
10. Overstaying in a limited-time parking zone – Some zones allow parking for a set time only, often indicated by a sign. Staying longer than the allowed time can lead to a PCN.
11. Parking in an electric vehicle charging space without charging – These spaces are reserved for electric vehicles that are charging. Parking without charging can get you fined.
12. Parking on school markings during restricted hours – To ensure the safety of children, some areas prohibit parking during school start and end times.
13. Parking in a cycle lane – Cycle lanes are for cyclists. Parking or stopping in these lanes obstructs the pathway and can result in a penalty.
14. Parking more than 50 centimetres from the edge of the road – This makes the road narrow and can be a hazard. This can result in a fine.
15. Overnight lorry parking – Lorries are sometimes prohibited from parking overnight in certain areas to reduce noise and disruption.
16. Parking opposite or within 10 meters of a junction – This can obstruct visibility for other drivers, leading to potential fines.
17. Parking in front of a dropped kerb – Dropped kerbs are often used for driveways or for pedestrians, and parking in front of one can result in a PCN.

18. Parking on a red route – In some cities, major roads have red lines indicating no stopping at any time.
19. Blocking an emergency vehicle access point – These points are crucial for emergency vehicles. Blocking them can earn a PCN.
20. Parking in a motorcycle bay – These bays are exclusively for motorcycles. Cars parked here risk a PCN.
21. Parking in a fire route or near fire equipment – These areas need to be clear for emergencies. Parking here can earn you a PCN.
22. Parking in a Car Club bay – These are reserved for Car Club vehicles. Unauthorised parking can lead to a fine.

Non-Parking Related Penalty Charge Notices

Phew, that was a pretty exhausting list in the previous section. This list is a little shorter, and relates to driving/riding laws that if you break them, might see you issued with a PCN.

23. Using a bus lane during restricted hours – Bus lanes are for buses, taxis, and cyclists. Driving in a bus lane during its hours of operation can result in a PCN.
24. Entering a pedestrian zone – Certain areas are designated pedestrian-only. Vehicles entering these zones risk a PCN.
25. Stopping in a yellow box junction – These junctions should be kept clear to ensure the free flow of traffic. Stopping in one can lead to a fine.
26. Making a prohibited turn – Ignoring signs indicating no turns, e.g., no left or right turn, can earn you a PCN.
27. Not paying the Congestion Charge in London – If you drive within the Congestion Charge zone during its hours of operation and don’t pay, expect a PCN.
28. Ignoring a ‘No Entry’ sign – Driving into areas or roads marked ‘No Entry’ can earn you a fine.
29. Driving in a tram-only lane – These lanes are exclusively for trams. Vehicles driving here risk a PCN.
30. Stopping on the carriageway of a motorway or a clearway – This is dangerous and can lead to fines.
31. Ignoring a moving traffic restriction – For example, going the wrong way on a one-way street can lead to a PCN.
32. Driving an untaxed vehicle  – Although tax discs are now digital, vehicles must be taxed. If caught without, you risk a fine.
33. Exceeding maximum weight or height restrictions – Some roads or bridges have weight or height restrictions. Exceeding these can earn you a PCN.
34. Stopping on a motorway hard shoulder without good reason – Hard shoulders are for emergencies. Stopping without a valid reason can result in a fine.
35. Not paying the Dart Charge when using the Dartford Crossing – This is a toll crossing, and failure to pay can lead to a PCN.
36. Using a mobile phone while driving – This is a serious offence as it endangers everyone on the road. Caught doing so results in a fine.
37. Not wearing a seatbelt – Whether you’re the driver or a passenger, not wearing a seatbelt can earn you a PCN.
38. Failing to stop for a school crossing patrol – They ensure children’s safety. Not stopping is not only dangerous but can also result in a fine.
39. Obstructing traffic flow – This could be due to parking in a problematic spot or breaking down and not taking necessary precautions.
40. Ignoring Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) restrictions – Some areas use ANPR to monitor vehicle access. Ignoring these restrictions can result in a PCN.

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A Note on Traffic Cameras

Some of these laws and rules are quite minor, and a real person such as a traffic warden might decide to overlook them. However, a traffic camera never will. 

Therefore, with the ever-increasing number of traffic cameras that are being deployed, it pays not to take any risks at all. Is it really worth saving yourself 5 minutes by parking a little closer to the coffee shop to get a latte, in exchange for a fine?

Note though, that you do always have the option of attempting to appeal against any penalty charge notice that you are issued, and you can begin this with a standard letter. A large percentage of appeals are successful. And you have nothing to lose by making an appeal. If you lose the appeal, you still pay the same fine.