Parking Frequently Asked Questions
If I return to my car whilst a civil enforcement officer is standing next to it but drive off before the PCN can be either handed to me or fixed to the vehicle, am I still liable?
This depends on whether the civil enforcement officer has started the process of issuing the ticket.
To be valid, the ticket must be either handed to the driver, fixed to the vehicle or the CEO must have started the process of issuing the ticket. If the later then the penalty charge notice can be sent by post. If however you receive a Notice to Owner in the post rather than a penalty charge notice then you should write to the issuing council, explaining that the PCN was not handed to you or affixed to the vehicle and ask for it to be cancelled. If they will not cancel it, then you may want to appeal.
Also camera enforcement of parking offences obviously does not require a PCN to be placed on a windscreen.
Aren’t traffic wardens supposed to give ‘a few minutes grace’ before issuing a ticket on a single yellow line?
Contrary to popular misconception, you are not – and never have been – permitted to stop for a ‘a few minutes’ other than to set down or pick up passengers or load and unload goods (in the absence of any loading restrictions) on a single yellow line. A traffic warden or parking attendant will usually observe a vehicle for a few minutes to see if any activity is going on before issuing a ticket. Different local authorities have different policies. For example in London, Camden & Westminster PA’s are meant to observe a vehicle for 20 minutes to see if it is loading whereas Barnet has no observation period.
Can single yellow lines apply after 6.30 pm or on Sundays?
Yes! Single yellow lines can apply for anything between one and twenty-three hours per day and also on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Double yellow lines always mean ‘at any time’ and the need to have an accompanying sign was dropped in April 2003.The only exception to this rule is in some seaside and other holiday towns where the double yellow lines only apply during holiday seasons. In such circumstances the lines should be clearly signposted. Single yellow lines now apply for any restriction that is less than ‘at any time’ and it is essential that you check the signs. If there is no roadside signage it means that the single yellow line operates during the controlled hours of the zone in which it is situated. Quite often the controlled zone signs at the entry points are defaced, pointing in the wrong direction or missing altogether. If there are no CPZ signs on both sides of the road at every entry point, then you have grounds for appeal as the contravention did not occur if it is not signposted correctly.
There are many other questions and answers listed below. We ask for a small contribution to help us recoup costs and to fund our relentless campaign to have this unfair and revenue orientated system changed. Members also benefit from our helpline via email if they have a specific question. Thank you
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