Transport for LondonPenalties and enforcement
This guide is for information only. You may wish to seek your own legal advice. A more detailed explanation can be found on the Enforcement process page.
On this page:
- Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)
- Charge Certificate
- Order for Recovery
- Bailiffs
- Immobilisation and removal
Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)
If you have not paid the Congestion Charge by midnight on the following charging day we may issue a PCN for £120 to the registered keeper of the vehicle.
You must not ignore the PCN even if you believe:
- You were not the keeper at the time of the contravention
- You had paid the charge, or
- Your vehicle was exempt, or
- The vehicle was used or taken without your consent, or
- You had registered for a 100% discount, or
- The vehicle was on hire to someone else
If you wish to make a Representation against the PCN you can do so for the four reasons listed above. We will also consider Representations made on any other grounds.
You can also view more details (view more details should be a hyperlink) of the PCN prior to paying it or making a representation.
You have 28 days from the date of service of your PCN to either:
- Pay the penalty, or
- Challenge the PCN by making a Representation
If you pay within 14 days of the date of service you will receive a 50% discount and the amount payable will be £60, rather than £120.
Under the Interpretation Act 1978 s.7, unless the contrary is proved, service is deemed to have been effected at the time when the PCN would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
Helping you with your Congestion Charging Penalty Charge Notice (PDF 193KB)
Charge Certificate
If the penalty charge is not paid within 28 days of the date of service then it increases to £180 and a Charge Certificate is sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle.
You have 14 days from the date of service in which to pay this.
Under the Interpretation Act 1978 s.7, unless the contrary is proved, service is deemed to have been effected at the time when the Charge Certificate would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
Once a Charge Certificate is issued you can no longer make a Representation. If you did not receive the original PCN, or if you have received no reply to a Representation or an Appeal, you can make a Statutory Declaration.
Order for Recovery
If the penalty charge is not paid within 14 days of a Charge Certificate being served then we may apply to register it as an unpaid debt. You will then be sent an Order for Recovery. This is not a County Court judgement and will not affect your credit rating. At this point the penalty charge increases to £185.
You have 21 days from the date of service in which to pay this.
Under the Interpretation Act 1978 s.7, unless the contrary is proved, service is deemed to have been effected at the time when the Order for Recovery would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
Bailiffs
If the penalty charge has not been paid within 21 days of the Order for Recovery being served then we will ask for a Warrant of Execution which will be passed to a Bailiff to recover the monies owed. You are not sent a copy of the Warrant, but you may request a copy directly from the Bailiff.
Initially the Bailiffs will write to you. A Bailiff is allowed to charge fees for every letter, visit and action they take. If you ignore the Bailiff's communications, their fees may run into hundreds of pounds.
If you believe the PCN was issued incorrectly please show any evidence to the Bailiff. They will advise you if there is anything that you can do, but in most cases you must pay them.
The Bailiffs acting on our behalf are all County Court Certificated and operate in accordance with governing legislation and our contractual requirements.
Immobilisation and removal
Vehicles with three or more outstanding penalty charges may be immobilised or removed anywhere within Greater London.
The immobilisation fee is £70 and the removal fee is £200. Storage of the vehicle costs £40 a day.
If a vehicle is immobilised or removed then all outstanding penalty, immobilisation or removal and storage fees must be paid before the vehicle is released.
If the release fee is not paid after 56 days the vehicle may be disposed of at auction or by scrapping. In these circumstances the registered keeper will remain liable for any charges still outstanding, including a £70 disposal fee.
If you believe your vehicle has been immobilized or removed incorrectly then please explain the circumstances to the Congestion Charge on street enforcement team on 020 354 1525.
