Free Traffic Legal Advice
Live cases legal advice => Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) => Topic started by: Nevis88 on February 05, 2026, 03:50:42 pm
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Is there a time limit for PCNs to be served ?
Indeed there is, and it is 28 days from date of alleged contravention. Trouble with hire and lease cases, is the first postal PCN goes to them, and they then have 28 days to respond (other than paying), to give hiree name and address. Council then assess the reps, cancel the PCN and serve a new one to the details provided. They get another 28 days for this. So you can see time adds up very quickly. HOwever, 5 months does seem too long, but post up all details as per this and we'll look at it: -
https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/read-this-first-before-posting-your-case!-this-section-is-for-council-tfl-dartme/
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I have a leased car, and have received a Penalty Charge Notice - traffic infringement caught on a camera.
The offence was commited on 8th Sept 25, and I received the PCN notice direct from Hammersmith today - 5 months later. Clearly my lease company had given them my details.
This seems a bit slow and makes it hard to remember the circumstances of the offence. Is there a time limit for PCNs to be served ?