Appeal a council parking ticket
Council Penalty Charge Notices have a 14-day discount window. Don't pay if you intend to appeal — paying is treated as accepting the ticket.
Who issues council PCNs?
Civil enforcement officers issue Penalty Charge Notices on public roads, high streets, and council-run car parks. Bus lane and box junction PCNs come from the same authority.
Common reasons that work
- Signage was missing, obscured, or contradictory
- You had a valid permit or paid for parking
- Loading or unloading goods (commercial use)
- Procedural error on the notice — wrong contravention code, wrong date, late Notice to Owner
- Mitigating circumstances: medical emergency, breakdown
The three stages
- Informal challenge — within 14 days (21 if posted)
- Formal representation — 28 days from Notice to Owner
- Traffic Penalty Tribunal (or London Tribunals) — 28 days from rejection
Generate your appeal letter
Free to find out if you've got grounds. Letter ready in five minutes.
Start your appeal →Frequently asked
Will I lose my discount if I appeal?
No. The 50% discount is held while a properly-submitted challenge is being reviewed. If your challenge is rejected, the council usually re-offers the discounted rate for 14 days.
Is the tribunal really free?
Yes. The Traffic Penalty Tribunal and London Tribunals are free for motorists. Around half of tribunal appeals succeed.
What if I miss the deadline?
You can sometimes file a late appeal if there's a good reason — illness, the notice didn't reach you, or it was sent to the wrong address.