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Challenge a Penalty Charge Notice

How to challenge a PCN

In accordance of the law, all Informal Challenges/ Formal Representations to Penalty Charge Notices must be made in writing; these can be via e-mail, using our online form, or by sending a letter in the post. We advise that as much detail is stated within your correspondence, we also request that you supply as much evidence as possible to support your reasons.

Please ensure that the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) number is quoted in all correspondence

The 3 levels of appeal

There are a three stages in which a challenge can be made:

1. An Informal Challenge

Up to 28 days: A Informal Challenge can be made at any time within the first 28 days after the Penalty Charge Notice has been issued.

Up to 14 days: If you make an Informal challenge within the 14 days discounted period and if your challenge is rejected, you will still be given the opportunity to pay the PCN at the 50% discounted rate. If your challenge is successful, the PCN will be cancelled and no further action will be taken.

What happens once an Informal Challenge is received by the Council?

A response to your challenge will be given in writing and will inform you of the outcome.

If your challenge is accepted then no payment will be required and the Penalty Charge Notice will be cancelled and closed upon our system.  

If your challenge is rejected you will be given the opportunity to pay the PCN within 14 days of the date of our response. If you are not satisfied with the Councils decision and wish to make further representations against the PCN, you will need to make a Formal Representation, please see information below.

2. A Formal Representation

If a PCN has been issued and no payment has been received within 28 days from the date of the PCN being issued, then a Notice to Owner (NtO) will be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle, this Notice will give the registered keeper 28 days from the date of the NtO being served to either pay the full charge or make a Formal written representation to the  Warwick District Council.

What happens once a Formal Representation is received by the Council?

The Council will take into consideration all the relevant information held upon computer records and those contained within the Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO) notes carefully before a decision is made.

A response to your challenge will be given in writing and will inform you of the outcome.

If your representation is accepted, a Notice of Acceptance will be sent, the Penalty Charge Notice will be cancelled and closed upon our system. 

If your representation is rejected then a Notice of Rejection will be sent advising you that you have 28 days to either pay the outstanding amount or make an appeal to the Independant Parking Ajudicator. An Appeal Form will be enclosed with this response.

3. Appeals to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT)

Go to the Independant Parking Ajudicator page for further information.

Page Last Updated: 09 Feb 2012