Parking Charges for Penalty Charge Notices
The cost of penalty charge notices (PCNs) are set by a London-wide body called London Councils to ensure that charges are consistent throughout London.
There are 2 levels of charges payable for PCNs:
- Serious contraventions (also known as higher level penalties)
- Less serious contraventions (also known as lower level penalties)
A full list of contraventions at each rate can be found on the London Councils website (external link).
If you want to challenge the issuing of a PCN, don't pay at this time. Please follow the instructions on your penalty charge notice.
Serious contraventions
Examples
- parking at bus stops
- parking on double yellow lines
- parking in a suspended bay
- parking in a bay without displaying a valid permit (see below)
- parking on pedestrian crossings
- parking in safety zones outside schools
- parking on yellow lines
Charges
Penalty charge notices issued for serious contraventions are £130 reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days from the date of issue of the PCN.
If the charge is not paid on receipt of the Notice to Owner, it will increase to £195 when a Charge Certificate is issued.
It will increase again, to £203, when registered as a debt.
Less serious contraventions
Examples
- parking after the expiry of a pay and display ticket
- re-parking in the same space within the set time
- parking with engine running (where prohibited)
- parking for longer than permitted
- not parking correctly within the markings of the bay or space
Charges
Penalty charge notices issued for less serious contraventions are £80, reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days from the date of issue of the PCN.
If the charge isn't paid on receipt of the Notice to Owner, it will increase to £120 when a Charge Certificate is issued.
It will increase again, to £128, when registered as a debt.
Other penalty charges
| Contravention type | Charge |
|---|---|
| Contravention of Bus Lane regulations | £130 |
| Moving traffic contravention | £130 |
Please see the vehicle removals page for details of charges for illegally parked and untaxed vehicles.
Important note relating to penalty charge notices under Contravention Code 12
The definition of this contravention is ‘Parked in a residents’ or shared use parking place or zone without a valid virtual permit, or clearly displaying a valid physical permit or voucher, or pay & display ticket issued for that place where required, or without payment of the parking charge’.
This contravention carries the higher penalty charge. However, this charge may be reduced to the lower penalty charge if you were parked in order to visit a resident and can provide evidence.
Proof accepted by Haringey Council is a valid visitors’ voucher permit, pay and display ticket or resident parking permit.
Please remember that if you want to challenge the issue of the Penalty Charge Notice, you should not send payment at this time, but follow the instruction on the notice.