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Penalty Charge Notices (PCN)

Parking tickets issued by the Council are called 'Penalty Charge Notices' (PCNs). They require payment of a penalty charge, and do not result in a criminal record or points on a driving licence. They are separate from Fixed Penalty Notices, issued for criminal offences by the Police.

View a list of Contravention Codes Opens in a new window which appear on Penalty Charge Notices, along with their accompanying explanations and at what rate they will be charged. Please note some may not apply to Surrey Heath Borough Council.

The Council processes PCNs according to the regulations, which specify the steps we must take in order to recover payment of the Penalty Charge. There is also provision for drivers to have a formal appeal against a parking ticket heard by an Independent Parking Adjudicator. Details of the how to pay a PCN, the challenge / appeals procedure and what happens if a PCN is not paid can be found below.

• Payments received outside that period will count as part-payment and the balance will be due. You will receive a Notice to Owner form showing that a payment is still outstanding.
• The Penalty Charge Notice will show the alleged contravention, plus the place, date and time. If you feel it was wrongly issued, or there were special circumstances in your case, you can write to the Council. If your challenge is turned down, you will be sent a reply explaining why and explaining what to do next. Normally, if you have written within 14 days, you will be given another opportunity to pay the reduced rate. If your ticket is cancelled, you will be notified. If your appeal is received after 14 days of date of issue you may have to pay the full amount of the Penalty Charge Notice.
• After a 'Notice to Owner' has been issued (or after an appeal or challenges has been refused) the Council can issue a 'Charge Certificate' increasing the penalty a further 50% if the penalty isn't paid in time.
• After a 'Charge Certificate' has been issued the penalty will be registered as a debt at the Traffic Enforcement Centre (at Northampton County Court) unless paid promptly.
• Once the debt is registered by the Council, you will be sent a 'Order of Recover' and a 'Witness Statement' form. £5.00 court costs are added to the debt at this stage.

Note that the registered keeper of a vehicle is the person responsible for any unpaid fines. If you lend your car to a friend you will still be responsible for any fines they incur. It is also vital that you immediately notify DVLA of any change of ownership, as you will be responsible for any PCNs issued to a vehicle that remains registered in your name.

Do not ignore parking tickets, they may carry extra penalties if not paid (or challenged) promptly. To qualify for the discount payment, you must make sure that payment is received by the Council within 14 days. On the back of the parking ticket there are details on how to pay or challenge the ticket and there is a tear-off slip that must accompany payments. If you have lost your ticket please ring the Council on 01276 707152 or email parking.services@surreyheath.gov.uk.

Progression of a Penalty Charge Notice
View further information on Parking Fines

How to make challenges in regards to a PCN
In the first instance you should challenge, or make a representation to Surrey Heath Borough Council within 14 days of the date of issue of the Penalty Charge Notice. We suggest that you use our PCN appeal form Opens in a new window. The PCN will be put on hold from when we receive your representation. Once a decision has been made we will write to you. We may also offer you a further period in which to pay the discounted penalty. In order that full consideration can be given to your challenge it must be made in writing and should be accompanied by any supporting documentation that you can provide. Details of where to send your challenge and the grounds upon which a valid appeal can be made are set out on the Notice to Owner.

The specified grounds

• The alleged contravention did not occur - please explain why you think no contravention took place.
• I was not the owner of the vehicle at the time - if you sold the vehicle before the date of the contravention or bough it after the date, you must tell us the name and address of the person who bough it from you or sold it to you, if you know it. Please supply evidence of the sale / purchase (e.e. a sales receipt).
• The vehicle has been permitted to remain at rest in the place in question by the person who was in control of the vehicle without the consent of the owner - Please show evidence (e.g. police crime report, insurance claim).
• We are a hire firm and the vehicle in question was at that material time hired under a hiring agreement; and the person hiring it has signed a statement accepting liability - please supply a copy of the signed agreement including the name and address of the hirer.
• The penalty charge exceeded the amount applicable in the circumstances of the case - if you think you are being asked to pay more than you should legally pay.
• The Traffic Order was invalid - if you believe the parking restriction in question was invalid or illegal.
• There has been procedural impropriety on the part of the enforcement authority - please describe the alleged impropriety.
• That the penalty charge has already been paid in full, or has been paid at the reduced amount within the specified period - please provide details of the payment method, date and amount.
• Other grounds - if there are any other reasons why you consider the Council should cancel the penalty charge notice and refund any sum already paid.

If you are unsatisfied with our response and don't believe you should have received a PCN, you can appeal in writing or in person to an independent adjudicator of the Traffic Penalty Tribunal who are based in Manchester and acts as an independent appeals adjudication service for all PCNs issued outside London. Local hearing are held for those who wish to attend in person. Visit the Traffic Penalty Tribunal Opens in a new window website which provides information on the whole process. (Costs will be incurred)

The adjudicator will consider all of the information provided by both the motorist and the Council and make a final decision on whether or not the charge should be paid. Once the Traffic Penalty Tribunal Opens in a new window have made a decision on a case there is no further route of appeal.