Why we issue penalty charge notices
Penalty charge notices (PCNs) – also called 'parking fines' – are issued when a motorist parks or drives a vehicle a way that breaks restrictions.
When a PCN is issued, it will include a description of the restriction that has been broken.
PCNs will generally be issued for the following reasons:
- parking in areas where waiting or loading restrictions are in force – restrictions normally apply to the entire width of the road, including verges and footways
- parking at a pay-and-display ticket machine space without paying the correct amount and clearly displaying the ticket
- parking for longer than the period for which you have paid
- returning to the same parking place within the prescribed time
- parking in a specially reserved bay – for example, a loading place, a disabled persons parking bay, a residents parking bay or a taxi rank – without authorisation
- parking at a bus stop during prohibited hours
- stopping in a restricted area outside a school
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