Sheffield PCN – Should I Pay or Appeal?
Just received a Sheffield Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and are unsure of what to do next?
You’re in the right place to get the advice you need. Every month, more than 130,000 people visit our website seeking guidance on parking fines and tickets.
This article will guide you through:
- Understanding what a Sheffield PCN is.
- Deciding whether you need to pay Sheffield Penalty Fines.
- Learning how to appeal against a Sheffield PCN.
- Knowing how much a parking and bus lane fine in Sheffield might cost you.
- Grasping what could happen if you decide not to pay the fine.
In 2021, Churchill Motor Insurance reported an 8% increase in penalty charge notices (PCNs) in Britain, with over 5.2 million issued.1 So you’re definitely not alone.
There’s no need to worry. We have plenty of helpful advice and clear examples to help you handle this situation.
Let’s dive in.
Most Appeals Succeed
In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your fine.
It’s a bit sneaky, but the last time I needed legal advice, I paid £5 for a trial to chat with an online solicitor called JustAnswer.
Not only did I save £50 on solicitor feeds, I also won my case and didn’t have to pay my £271 fine.
Chat below to get started with JustAnswer
*Around 35,000 people dispute their tickets each year with the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, and a striking 64% of those appeals are successful, so it’s well worth a try.
What is a Sheffield PCN?
A Sheffield Penalty Charge Notice or “Sheffield PCN” is a type of fine from the Sheffield City Council.
Penalty Charge Notices are issued for parking contraventions on public land within the council area, or for minor traffic offences within the council’s jurisdiction.
For example, you could be issued a PCN for parking on a high street without paying when required, or for using a bus lane in Sheffield at a time not allowed.
The PCN can be left on your vehicle for when you return, or it can be sent to the vehicle owner in the post.
This usually happens when a council enforcement officer sees the contravention in person or when the contravention is caught on camera, respectively.
Is there another “Sheffield PCN”?
Some people might refer to a Sheffield PCN as a private parking ticket called a Parking Charge Notice. But these aren’t real fines and aren’t the topic of conversation here.
Who has to pay a Sheffield PCN?
Penalty Charge Notices are the responsibility of the registered vehicle owner.
This means the Sheffield PCN will need to be paid by the person who is listed as the vehicle owner with the DVLA, which might not be the person who was driving and committed the contravention.
There is one exception.
If the car was recently purchased or sold and the recipient wasn’t the vehicle owner at the time of the contravention, they should prove this to the council to avoid needing to pay.
How much is a parking fine in Sheffield?
Sheffield City Council doesn’t state the exact cost of their parking fines but outside of London, these fines cost either £50 or £70 depending on the type of parking offence committed.
Lesser contraventions incur a lower fine and more serious contraventions incur a higher fine.
But the fine is slashed in half if you pay within 14 days. Any motorist who pays a lower or higher fine within the first two weeks will only have to pay £25 or £35.
Successful Appeal Case Study
Situation
| Initial Fine | £100 |
| Additional Fees | £171 |
| Total Fine | £271 |
The Appeal Process
Scott used JustAnswer, online legal service to enhance his appeal. The trial of this cost him just £5.
| Total Fine | £271 |
| Cost of legal advice | £5 |
JustAnswer helped Scott craft the best appeal possible and he was able to win his case.
Scott’s fine was cancelled and he only paid £5 for the legal help.
In partnership with Just Answer.
Do you have to pay Penalty Charge Notices?
Penalty Charge Notices are enforceable fines that must be paid by the deadline given.
The only time you don’t have to pay by the deadline is if you will make an appeal instead. Ignoring the fine will only make things worse for you and more expensive.
Some people realise this but still ignore their Sheffield PCN because they cannot afford to pay.
If you’re experiencing money problems which are stopping you from paying, let Sheffield Council know. They might organise an alternative payment arrangement to help and avoid escalation.
» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer
Pay PCN Sheffield
There are three easy ways to pay a PCN in Sheffield.
Arguably the easiest of them all is to pay online with your debit or credit card. The council has set up an online payment portal to do this.
You can also pay your Sheffield PCN by calling an automated payment hotline at any time of the day on 0114 273 5249.
Or you can pay in person by visiting a Paypoint Outlet or post office.
You’ll need to have your PCN reference number to make a payment in any of the above ways. If you’ve lost it, get in touch with the council.
Sheffield PCN appeal process
You can make an informal appeal within the first 28 days, and then a formal appeal after the first 28 days once you’ve received a Notice to Owner.
All appeals must be made in writing to state the reason you want the ticket cancelled along with evidence when relevant.
Rejected appeals can be escalated to an independent body for another decision.
Further details can be found here.
PCN Common Defenses
Understanding the defences against PCNs will help you protect your finances and ensure fair treatment.
There are a few common PCN defences that you can use if you decide to appeal your ticket.
| Common PCN Defence | Explanation |
| You were parked correctly | By law, your ticket should be cancelled if you haven’t broken any parking laws. |
| Unclear, incorrect, or missing signage | It is a legal requirement that all parking areas or roads with parking restrictions have clear road markings or signage. You also have a good defence if your ticket was sent in the post, but there were no signs warning of CCTV or ANPR systems when you parked. |
| You had no way to pay | You can appeal your ticket if you can prove that the only available ticket machine was broken or damaged. You also won’t win your appeal if there is a sign telling you not to park if there is no way of paying. |
| It wasn’t you who committed the parking infraction | The ticket should be cancelled if you didn’t commit the parking infraction as someone else was driving your car. |
| You couldn’t get back to your car | People with some disabilities or small children are protected from discrimination by the 2010 Equality Act. Struggling to get back to your car could be legitimate grounds for appeal. |
| Your car had broken down | If you got a ticket whilst waiting for your car to be towed or fixed, you have strong grounds for appeal. The ticket issuer should have understood that you physically couldn’t move it. |
| You were only just out of time | Late by just 5 or 10 minutes? You can appeal as you are entitled to a ‘grace period’ after your parking time runs out. |
Join thousands of others who got legal help for a £5 trial
Getting the support of a Solicitor can take a huge weight off your mind.
Reviews shown are for JustAnswer.
How much is a bus lane fine Sheffield?
Bus lane fines in Sheffield are usually set at £60, reduced to £30 if the motorist pays within 14 days.
Penalty Charge Notices for bus lane contraventions will be caught on camera and sent in the post.
Sheffield Contact Details
| Pay by phone: | 0114 273 5249 |
| Website: | https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/ |
What happens if you ignore a Sheffield PCN?
Ignoring a Sheffield PCN and hoping the problem will go away on its own won’t work.
The council will take certain steps to make sure they get the money, starting with a charge certificate.
This certificate is a notice of missing the deadline to pay and consequently increases your fine by 50%.
If the council still doesn’t get the money they will register the money owed as a debt at the court and add the small fee for this to the debt.
Next up could be a warrant to use enforcement agents, which you may know better as bailiffs!
Related FAQs
Hire a Parking Solicitor for less than a coffee.
If you’re thinking about appealing your parking ticket then getting some professional advice is a good idea.
Getting the support of a Solicitor can make your appeal much more likely to win.
For a £5 trial, Solicitors from JustAnswer can look at your case and help you create an airtight appeal.
Try it below
In partnership with Just Answer.
References
