Penalties and enforcement

The enforcement process is defined by law. This page briefly details what notices you will receive, how much money is owed at each stage and how long you have to respond.

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.

Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)

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:

Have paid the charge, or
Were exempt, or
Have registered for a 100% discount, or
Are in a position to transfer liability for the PCN 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 on any other grounds.

You have 28 days from the date of service 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.

Helping you with your Congestion Charging Penalty Charge Notice (PDF 384KB)

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.

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 rises to £185.

You have 21 days from the date of service in which to pay this.

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 many 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 immobilised or removed incorrectly then please explain the circumstances to the staff at the Congestion Charge car pound.