Stages of a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)

A Charge Certificate will be sent if the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is not paid within 28 days from the date a:

• Notice to Owner is served (PCNs issued by a Civil Enforcement Officer) or,
• Enforcement Notice is served (PCNs issued for bus lane contraventions) or,
• postal PCN is served (for moving traffic contraventions)

The charge then increases by 50% of the original amount.

There is no right of appeal at this stage, you can no longer make a Formal Representation to dispute the Penalty Charge Notice menu (PCN).

If you receive a Charge Certificate

You must:

•    Pay the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) within 14 days to pay.

If you do nothing:

After 14 days, your debt will be registered at the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC) at Northampton County Court, and an Order for Recovery will be served.

A debt registration fee of £10 will be added to the amount due.

The Order for Recovery will be sent to the registered keeper's address in the post.

Find information on what to do if:

• You did not receive a response to a PCN challenge or representation
• The original PCN or letter was not received or was delivered late

Further information:
Experiencing financial hardship
Received PCN a letter for someone who does not live at your address
Never owned the vehicle but have received a PCN