Appeal a parking fine (Penalty Charge Notice or PCN)

Do not contact us by phone regarding a penalty notice. Contact centre staff will be unable to assist you.

Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are given for driving offences such as:

• parking without the right permit
• parking in a place that does not allow parking
• driving dangerously
• driving on bus routes

If you think a PCN was issued incorrectly, you have 14 days from when it was given to appeal against it.

How to appeal

By law, appeals must be made in writing. The quickest way to do this is online.

Before you appeal make sure you: 

• prepare your explanation beforehand
• have your "Contravention code number"

Appeal online

You can also email your appeal to us at pcn@croydon.gov.uk.

Include your:

• PCN reference number
• residential address

If your reference number starts with "A"

Tickets with reference numbers starting with "A" are for environmental crimes, which have a different payment and appeals process. Find out more about environmental crimes.

After you submit an appeal

Once you start the appeal process we will show you photos of how your vehicle was parked. It may take up to 24 hours before photographic evidence is available online.

If we accept your reasons for disagreeing with the PCN, we will cancel it and you will not have to pay anything.

If we reject your representations, you can:

• pay the discounted fee, provided that your objection was received within 14 days of the PCN
• pay the full fee if your objection was received outside of the discount period but within 28 days of the PCN
• appeal to the Independent Parking and Traffic Adjudicators on specific grounds within 28 days of the notice of rejection being delivered

The adjudicator's decision

The adjudicator's decision will be binding for both you and the council. The adjudicator may award costs if the case is considered frivolous or vexatious.

If your appeal is unsuccessful, you will need to pay the full charge.