Croydon PCN: Payment, Challenges and Appeals

Have you just got a Croydon parking fine and are wondering whether to pay it or appeal?

This is the right place to get the help you need. Our website is visited by over 130,000 people each month who are seeking advice on how to deal with fines and parking tickets.

In this article, we’ll provide simple information on:

• Whether you have to pay Croydon parking fines.
• How to appeal a Croydon parking fine.
• What could happen if you do not pay the fine.
• Ways to avoid getting a parking fine in Croydon.

Churchill Motor Insurance reports that in 2022, UK councils issued 19,631 parking fines every day – that’s an increase of 12% from the previous year!¹ So, rest assured, you’re not alone

With our experience, we’ll show you how to deal with a parking fine in Croydon. Let’s dive in!

What is a PCN?

A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) issued by Croydon Council is essentially a fine for motorists, typically related to a parking violation, but not limited to that.

Penalty Charge Notices can also be sent by Croydon Council for some traffic offences.

The most common Penalty Charge Croydon that isn’t for a parking offence is driving in a bus lane at a time when not permitted. 

Parking fines sent by a local authority are not treated the same as private parking fines from companies.

These are called Parking Charge Notices and are more like an invoice than a fine. 

Check out why one motorist got a Penalty Charge Notice in Croydon.

Source: Moneysavingexpert

Do you have to pay?

You must pay a Croydon Penalty Charge Notice within 28 days of receiving the fine. Otherwise, you must appeal against the parking ticket within the same timeframe. 

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Appeal Process Steps

If you believe the PCN was unfairly issued, you have the option to appeal. It’s essential to understand this process to tackle any obstacles efficiently.

That’s why, I’ve created this table that explains the steps of the appeal process. If you want to learn more, don’t forget to read our complete guide.

When	Action
On receiving a council PCN	Read the notice, keep it, gather evidence and note all payment and challenge deadlines.
Windscreen or handed-to-driver PCN	An informal challenge may be available before the Notice to Owner. Early challenge can preserve a discount under the authority’s policy; 14 days is not a universal final appeal deadline.
Postal PCN or Notice to Owner	Normally make formal representations within 28 days as stated on the notice. Do not assume there is an extra informal stage.
Representations rejected	The Notice of Rejection explains how to appeal to the appropriate independent tribunal, normally within 28 days.
Appeal unsuccessful	Pay by the deadline given in the decision or obtain advice on any available review. Further statutory charges can follow if you do neither.
Other ticket type	Private parking charges and FPNs use different procedures; follow the actual notice.

Further guidance: Traffic Penalty Tribunal; Citizens Advice.

If you don’t pay or appeal against the Croydon parking ticket, your fine will increase and you could face court action.

What happens if it is rejected?

Croydon Council will write to you to let you know if they have rejected your PCN appeal. But this doesn’t have to be the end of your appeal. 

You have a right to escalate a PCN challenge to an independent tribunal, which is handled by London Tribunals

How much are parking fines?

London parking penalties are £160 or £110 in Band A and £140 or £90 in Band B, before discount. Check the applicable location, contravention and amount on your Croydon PCN rather than relying on the old £60–£130 range.

The amount you will be fined is determined by the area of the parking contravention (Band A or Band B) and the seriousness of the offence. 

However, you can get a 50% fine reduction by making the payment within 14 days.

For example, a £160 parking PCN is reduced to £80 during its applicable 50% discount period.

Does it cost the same as other Boroughs?

The cost of a Croydon PCN is the same as in other London Boroughs and more expensive than outside of the capital.

Will it affect your insurance premium?

No.

A civil PCN does not add licence points and is not a motoring conviction. Answer an insurer’s questions accurately and follow the policy’s notification terms; do not assume a different type of notice is treated the same way.

In England and Wales, registration of an unpaid civil PCN at the Traffic Enforcement Centre is not an ordinary County Court Judgment and is not entered on the judgment register in the same way. Additional costs and enforcement can still follow.

A private parking company’s civil court claim can lead to an ordinary CCJ, which is a separate process. Do not confuse that with statutory enforcement of a Croydon council PCN.

How do you pay a penalty?

You can pay a Croydon PCN over the phone, by cheque, at a post office or online. Full details of ways to pay your Croydon parking ticket can be found here.

The easiest and fastest way to pay is to use the council’s online payment portal.

Keep in mind that all methods require you to have your Croydon PCN number, which is found at the top of your PCN. 

If you’ve lost your notice and want to pay, you’ll need to contact the council to retrieve your Croydon Penalty Charge Notice number.

Remember that paying early can score you a 50% discount! 

Should I accept or challenge it?

Sometimes appealing a PCN will make you miss out on the 50% fine reduction.

Thus, it can be difficult to decide whether you should pay the reduced rate or make a Croydon Council Penalty Charge Notice appeal. 

There is no right answer. It all depends on personal circumstances and preferences.

Sometimes the council will still offer a reduced fine after an appeal. You should ask if this is the case before making a decision. 

Croydon PCN contact number

Phone:	0345 3000 614
Website:	https://www.croydon.gov.uk/

For a PCN challenge, Croydon directs motorists to its online service or [email protected] and says its telephone contact centre cannot assist with penalty-notice disputes. Follow the official challenge guidance.

Is parking suspended today?

Croydon Council stopped issuing all new Penalty Charge Notices during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they have since restarted issuing them again.

So take care when you park to avoid receiving a Croydon parking fine. 

Consider using mobile parking apps

One way of reducing the risk of getting a penalty charge is to use a mobile parking app.

I’ve listed some of them here:

• Ringo
• Pay by Phone
• ParkMobile

What about private parking tickets?

The above information only refers to parking tickets issued by a local authority. As mentioned at the start of our post, these are not the same as a private parking ticket.

For a private parking charge, follow the operator’s appeal route if you dispute it. Do not ignore a letter before claim or court papers. See our private parking guide.

References

1. SkyNews – Number of parking tickets issued every day in UK revealed