Penalty charge notices
Issue criteria
Before a penalty charge notice (PCN) is issued, the civil enforcement officer must consider whether the PCN can be enforced. This will include:
- Checking that all markings, signs and plates in the area of the alleged contravention are clear and visible to the motorist
- Checking that pay and display machines are fully operational and showing the correct time on display
- Checking for visible evidence of the vehicle having broken down
- Checking for any special permits (blue disabled badges, resident parking permits, carers badge etc) that would grant the motorist exemption from the restrictions in place.
Issue and serving of notices
A penalty charge notice may be issued at the time the Parking CEO believes the motorist to be in breach of parking restrictions imposed for both off-street and on-street parking.
Recent changes to the regulations mean that Shropshire Parking Service will be able to issue a PCN by post when camera evidence is available, or when a CEO is prevented from serving a PCN by threat or actual violence, or to motorists who regularly contravene the rules but simply drive away when they see a CEO.
In all other circumstances the PCN will be fixed to the vehicle or handed to the driver if a driver is present. The PCN will contain information relating to the following:
- Issuing authority details
- Powers by which PCN is issued
- Unique PCN number
- Date served
- Date and time of the alleged contravention
- Vehicle registration mark
- Make and colour of the vehicle
- Vehicle tax disc serial number and expiry date
- Location of the vehicle
- Details of alleged contravention and contravention code
- CEO’s identity number
- Details of penalty payable
- Instructions on how and where to pay
- Instructions on how and when an enquiry and/or challenge against the issue of the penalty may be made
- Instructions on where and how to get more information on Shropshire Parking Service.
An example of the front face of a PCN is shown in Appendix A.