Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are issued when we believe you haven't followed the parking rules. When you use any on or off-street parking place, you accept the terms and conditions of use. There are notices on the pay and display machines and conditions of use boards explaining these terms. 

• View all of the current traffic regulation orders for waiting, loading and parking here. 

Do you give people a grace period when they park? 

Vehicles committing parking offences that cause danger to others can be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice instantly.    

Other parking offences have a mandatory observation period before a fine can be issued, this means a Civil Enforcement Officer must stay near to the vehicle for a set period of time to make sure that an offence is being committed.   

Some parking offences such as 'Overstay' have a mandatory 'grace period' of 10 minutes before the Civil Enforcement Officer can issue a fine, and this is different from the observation period. The grace period is only relevant when a vehicle has been parked legally, and then becomes illegally parked, such as for overstaying a time limit, or an expired P&D ticket or clock/disc.  

• View the full list of parking offences and observation periods here. 

How much do I have to pay? 

The cost varies depending on the seriousness of the offence: 

• high - £70 e.g. parking on double yellow lines 
• low - £50 e.g. not displaying a pay and display ticket 

Both fines will be reduced by 50% if payment is made within 14 days from the Penalty Charge Notice issue date. 

Can you explain what the different terms in the PCN process mean? 

Full details of the terms used in the PCN process are in our glossary of terms - click here to access.   

Can I have more information on the process? 

Full details of how to challenge and what happens to a PCN are explained in the attached guide: 

• Click here for a guide to the Penalty Charge Notice appeals process 

Where can I find more information & advice? 

• Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside of London (PATROL) website

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