East Suffolk Council

Parking fines

‘Parking fines’ and ‘parking tickets’ are common terms for Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), which are served upon vehicles observed in contravention of on-street or off-street parking management regulations, more commonly referred to as ‘parked illegally’.

Drivers receiving a PCN must pay the penalty charge due, or there is an opportunity to appeal its serving and details of how to proceed are detailed on the reverse of the PCN.

It is advisable that drivers refer to the Department for Transport's publications before submitting an appeal to be sure they were not parked in contravention of the regulations. Helpful publications include The Highway Code, Know your traffic signs, and Blue Badge Holders should read The Blue Badge scheme: Rights and responsibilities in England booklet which will have been issued with the Blue Badge and states where and how the badge can be used.

PCN appeals will be considered on their individual circumstances and evidence collected at the time of its serving. The council, as the Enforcement Authority, may re-offer the fourteen-day discount period for a challenge received within fourteen days, should the challenge be rejected. The On-street PCN cancellation guidance and Off-street PCN cancellation guidance informs drivers about the evidence they should submit with their PCN appeal.

View the evidence and pay or appeal a PCN Please note: PCN details may take up to twenty-four hours to appear on the system.

If a penalty charge is not paid or the PCN successfully challenged within the period of twenty-eight days (the payment period), the council will serve by first class post a Notice to Owner (NtO) to the DVLA registered keeper of the vehicle requesting payment of the penalty charge.

Owners receiving an NtO may make a representation against it on the grounds specified in 5(4) of the Regulations by returning the completed and signed NtO or submit a representation online. A Notice of Acceptance will be issued and the penalty charge cancelled should a representation be accepted. A Notice of Rejection will be issued should a representation be rejected and the registered keeper must then either pay the penalty charge due or submit an appeal to the independent adjudication service.

Should all stages be passed without payment or successful appeal, the final stage of the legislative process is for the council to apply to the statutory designated County Court to recover the charge under a 'Warrant of Control' using Enforcement Agents (Bailiffs). Further fees will be applied by the Enforcement Agent in accordance with legislation to cover the cost of the recovery of the debt under the Warrant of Control.

PATROL (Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London) provides information and frequently asked questions about PCNs and the applicable legislative process. PATROL also has a statutory duty to make provision for the independent adjudication service for parking and traffic penalty charges served under the Traffic Management Act 2004. This is carried out through the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT), which comprises solicitors, barristers and their support staff.