Penalty Charge Notices (Fines)

Each PCN will identify the type of contravention. There are some differences in the contraventions for on-street and off-street parking as they are governed by differing orders, although all are governed by the Traffic Management Act 2004.

For off-street parking, PCNs are issued by the Enforcement Authority under Article 7 of the North Norfolk District Council (Off Street parking Places 1992) as varied, and North Norfolk District Council (Civil Enforcement Off-Street Parking Places) Consolidation Order 2011.  Failure to pay a Penalty Charge is an offence under Article 7 of the Order and Section 35 (4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 rendering the driver of the vehicle liable (upon summary of conviction) to a fine.

Penalty Charge Notices (previously known as Standard Charge Notices) are issued for a variety of reasons; such as no sign of a parking ticket on the vehicle, or if displayed, the parking ticket was out of time, the parking ticket was inappropriate for a particular car park, the parking ticket was incorrectly displayed, a motorist parks in a disabled bay without displaying a valid disabled badged or fails to show a valid tax disc. 

The Norfolk Parking Partnership Civil Parking Enforcement Guidance Manual provides more information on infringements that will be enforced.

There are two levels of penalty charges depending on the seriousness of the offence. The higher band is £70 (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days) and the lower band is £50 (reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days).  The Penalty Charge Notice you received will identify the payment due.

If payment is not received within 28 days, the penalty charge may increase to £105 (higher band) and £75 (lower band). This may be more if the council has to pursue the debt through the use of bailiffs.

Further details regarding penalty charge levels and infringements are given in the The Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (Guidelines on Levels of Charges) (England) Order 2007   

A few more seious offences, such as obstruction where there are no parking restrictions in force, require action by the police.  

By Post  - Please submit your Penalty Charge Notice along withcheque or postal order (made payable to BCKLWN and post to: Parking Operations Department, PO Box 1149, Kings Lynn, PE30 9AH

On-line - Use the following link to make a payment on line.  You will need your Penalty Charge Notice number and vehcile registration.

Pay point - Take the Penalty Charge Notice to your local Post Office/shop that uses this method of payment.  Please ensure the correct amount is paid as you will be liable for any outstanding amount should you under pay. 

The Penalty Charge Notice which has been issued to you can NOT be cancelled or waived through personal conversation or interview with Civil Enforcement Officer or Council officers.   North Norfolk's enforcement is carried out through partnership working with the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk  "Parking Operations".  Appeals can only be made by using the online Penalty Charges Appeal system or in writing (stating the Standard Charge Notice number) and sent to:

• Parking Operations Department, Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, PO Box 1149, Kings Lynn, PE30 9AH

The Borough Council will write to you with a decision within 14 days.  If your objection is accepted the PCN will be cancelled.

Please note that the discount period is not extended in the event of an appeal and payment should be enclosed or paid on-line.  If your appeal is successful then your monies will be refunded.

If you are not satisfied with the response you can appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. This is an independent body set up to resolve legal disputes between the motorist and civil enforcement authorities.

PATROL is a public information website on the overall civil enforcement process, set up to provide the motorist with step-by-step information on civil parking and bus lane enforcement from the issue of a Penalty Charge Notice to the bailiff stage.

Don’t ignore a Penalty Charge Notice! Non-payment will be treated as a civil debt that could be recovered through a bailiff.