PCN Issued Outside Enforcement Hours
Parking restrictions often only apply during specified hours indicated on time plates. If a CEO issues a PCN outside the hours of operation shown on the time plate or in the Traffic Regulation Order, the restriction was not in force and the PCN is invalid. This commonly occurs with restrictions ending at 18:30 or 20:00 and PCNs issued at or after those times.
Legal basis
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984; Traffic Regulation Orders made thereunder; Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (time plate requirements)
How to identify this in your case
Check the time the PCN was issued (on the face of the ticket). Check the restriction hours on the sign/time plate at the location or in the Traffic Regulation Order (available from the council). If the issue time is at or after the end of the restriction period, the PCN is invalid.
Sample appeal wording
Dear Representations Team, Re: PCN [NUMBER] — Vehicle [REG] I formally challenge this PCN on a straightforward factual ground. The PCN was issued at [TIME] on [DATE]. The parking restriction at [LOCATION] operates only between the hours of [START TIME] and [END TIME], as indicated on the time plate at the location (photograph attached) and as confirmed by the Traffic Regulation Order. At the time of issue, the restriction was not in force. There was therefore no contravention. I request that this PCN be cancelled immediately. Yours faithfully, [NAME]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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Scan my ticketSources
- Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 s.8
- TSRGD 2016