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Civil penalty charge notices (Councils, TFL and so on) / Broken down vehicle given PCN and representation rejection
« on: August 06, 2026, 03:34:07 pm »
Hi all,
Unfortunately having to post here for the first time. Few months ago my car's gearbox wouldn't engage while I was driving, luckily I was able to pull up on the pavement as my car was rolling. The pavement itself was wide enough to fit 2 cars without obstructing traffic or pedestrians. I called insurance who sent RAC to get my vehicle checked. They concluded that there was an issue with the gearbox that needed fixing and suggested I call up a few garages to see which one they would like me to get my car towed to. As I was making calls, many of the garages replied with "we don't deal with gearboxes" and I ended up running out of time as garages close at 5. I ended up leaving a note the windshield "broken down awaiting recovery". Next day I came back to a PCN which I challenged with the breakdown report from RAC which got rejected. I then sent in a representation with the breakdown report and the repair invoice. They acknowledged that the car had broken down but later mentioned "Being unaware of the pavement and verge parking restriction is not grounds for cancelling the PCN".
Here is the entire body of text from the Notice of Rejection of Representations:
Thank you for your recent communication in connection with the above Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The grounds and mitigation you have provided have been considered; however, they have not been deemed sufficiently compelling to cancel the penalty charge.
The PCN was issued as your vehicle was parked with one or more wheels on any part of the road other than a carriageway.
Having reviewed the case, we have decided not to cancel the PCN. The reasons for our decision and the options available to you at this stage are set out below.
You have stated in your correspondence that your vehicle was broken down at the time.
Although this may be true, there is no exemption which allows vehicles to be parked on the pavement.
A pavement and verge parking ban has been in force throughout the borough for many years. A small number of streets, clearly signed, are exempt but the road in which you were parked is not included in this category.
Parking in this manner can cause considerable damage to verges and pavements and a danger to pedestrians. Parking on the pavement is an overall ban, as clearly stated in The Highway Code (Rule 244). Signage is therefore, not required unless the road is exempt from the restriction.
Being unaware of the pavement and verge parking restriction is not grounds for cancelling the PCN. This is because we expect all motorists to be aware of the rules stated in the Highway Code and obey them.
Being unaware of the pavement and verge parking restriction is not grounds for cancelling the PCN. This is because we expect all motorists to be aware of the rules stated in the Highway Code and obey them.
I did get the car towed and fixed the very next day but this just seems unreasonable for me to have to pay this. Am I doomed to pay the PCN or is there any hope?
Unfortunately having to post here for the first time. Few months ago my car's gearbox wouldn't engage while I was driving, luckily I was able to pull up on the pavement as my car was rolling. The pavement itself was wide enough to fit 2 cars without obstructing traffic or pedestrians. I called insurance who sent RAC to get my vehicle checked. They concluded that there was an issue with the gearbox that needed fixing and suggested I call up a few garages to see which one they would like me to get my car towed to. As I was making calls, many of the garages replied with "we don't deal with gearboxes" and I ended up running out of time as garages close at 5. I ended up leaving a note the windshield "broken down awaiting recovery". Next day I came back to a PCN which I challenged with the breakdown report from RAC which got rejected. I then sent in a representation with the breakdown report and the repair invoice. They acknowledged that the car had broken down but later mentioned "Being unaware of the pavement and verge parking restriction is not grounds for cancelling the PCN".
Here is the entire body of text from the Notice of Rejection of Representations:
Thank you for your recent communication in connection with the above Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The grounds and mitigation you have provided have been considered; however, they have not been deemed sufficiently compelling to cancel the penalty charge.
The PCN was issued as your vehicle was parked with one or more wheels on any part of the road other than a carriageway.
Having reviewed the case, we have decided not to cancel the PCN. The reasons for our decision and the options available to you at this stage are set out below.
You have stated in your correspondence that your vehicle was broken down at the time.
Although this may be true, there is no exemption which allows vehicles to be parked on the pavement.
A pavement and verge parking ban has been in force throughout the borough for many years. A small number of streets, clearly signed, are exempt but the road in which you were parked is not included in this category.
Parking in this manner can cause considerable damage to verges and pavements and a danger to pedestrians. Parking on the pavement is an overall ban, as clearly stated in The Highway Code (Rule 244). Signage is therefore, not required unless the road is exempt from the restriction.
Being unaware of the pavement and verge parking restriction is not grounds for cancelling the PCN. This is because we expect all motorists to be aware of the rules stated in the Highway Code and obey them.
Being unaware of the pavement and verge parking restriction is not grounds for cancelling the PCN. This is because we expect all motorists to be aware of the rules stated in the Highway Code and obey them.
I did get the car towed and fixed the very next day but this just seems unreasonable for me to have to pay this. Am I doomed to pay the PCN or is there any hope?