Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE)

On 31 March 2008 new regulations were introduced in England and Wales that will see the first nationwide changes to on-street parking since 1993.  The regulations should provide motorists with a fairer and more transparent parking enforcement service across the country, helping raise industry standards in parking. 

What is presently called Decriminalised Parking Enforcement will be referred to as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) and Parking Attendants will become Civil Enforcement Officers.

The new Regulations will require CPE to be more transparent, simple and proportional to motorists, and Local Authorities will have to make clear that enforcement is based on compliance with local parking regulations and not the number of tickets issued.

The new CPE regulations will introduce proportionality. The motorist will benefit from having the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) more closely aligned with the seriousness of the contravention, with parking on a yellow line incurring a higher penalty than simply over-staying in a parking place.

From 31 March 2008 Penalty Charge Notices will be either £70 (higher level) or £50 (lower level), with corresponding reductions to £35 or £25 if payment is made within the 14-day period - 'What is the level for the new two-tier Penalty Charge Notices?'

Changes in the regulations will mean that Local Authorities will be able to issue PCNs by post when CEOs are prevented from serving notices by threat or actual violence, or to motorists who regularly contravene the rules but simply driving away when they see a CEO.

There will be an increased discount period for PCNs sent by post from 14 days to 21, except where violence or threats of violence prevented the service of the PCN.

For further information regarding Civil Parking Enforcement please use the links below:

(To view the following documents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.  You can download your free version of Acrobat Reader from the website www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html .)

How and where can I pay a PCN?

How do I challenge a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)?

General Frequently Asked Questions

Essential Information for the Public

Useful Links:

Traffic Penalty Tribunal (England and Wales)  

PATROL - The Joint Committee of England and Wales for the Civil Enforcement of Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London

British Parking Association - Driving Issues, Raising Standards

Department for Transport - DfT TMA 2004 : Part 6 Civil Enforcement of Traffic Contraventions

Parking and Traffic Appeals Services

Statutory Instruments 2007 No 3482 Road Traffic, England -
The Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (England) Representations and Appeals Regulations 2007

Office of Public Sector Information