The RAC has warned that confused drivers need to know the difference between a parking charge notice and a penalty charge notice, as both are abbreviated to PCN but have very different legal implications
The RAC says drivers need to understand these three letters (stock)(Image: Chris Griffiths via Getty Images)
During our time behind the wheel, numerous motorists may encounter either a parking charge notice or a penalty charge notice. While both can lead to a fine, they are issued by separate authorities and under different circumstances.
Nevertheless, the RAC has cautioned that confusion can occur because both are frequently abbreviated to “PCN”, meaning drivers must be vigilant not to confuse one with the other.
The motoring organisation has usefully outlined the difference between the two so motorists understand when a charge requires payment, and are less likely to be misled by the similar terminology.
Discussing the issue, the RAC’s Head of Policy Simon Williams clarified that while a Penalty Charge Notice is issued by local councils, Parking Charge Notices are issued by private parking companies when drivers have parked on private land, reports the Express.
He stated: “A PCN sent by the council is a fine and must be paid, whereas a Parking Charge Notice, issued by a private car park operator, is an invoice for an alleged breach of contract.
“The fact both can be put on drivers’ windscreens in an identical bright yellow colour doesn’t help, either. We suspect they’re deliberately designed to look very similar to a council penalty charge notice.
“As there’s so much confusion between the two PCN acronyms, drivers are very supportive of changing the name of private Parking Charge Notices to clear this up and help others understand the important legal difference.”
Furthermore, the RAC’s Consumer Editor Barney Cotton noted that drivers “can appeal to either of the appeals bodies set up by the two private parking trade associations”, the Independent Appeals Service or Parking on Private Land Appeals — also known as POPLA.
Barney’s comments came as fresh RAC research revealed that approximately half of all drivers were unaware of the distinction between the two types of PCNs, with their strikingly similar appearance potentially leading to widespread confusion.
Yet it is not solely the RAC that has been addressing parking matters, with recent findings illustrating how even selecting what appears to be the ideal parking spot can impact your car insurance premium.
New research carried out by Go Compare found that those who stored their vehicles in garages could see their premiums increase, which may come as a surprise given that a garage is widely regarded as one of the most secure parking options available. It found that the typical annual premium for those using a garage stood at £647, compared with £623 for those who parked elsewhere.
Addressing why this might be the case, Go Compare spokesperson Tom Banks suggested it could be attributed to vehicles becoming increasingly large, meaning there is a considerably greater likelihood of damage occurring when drivers attempt to manoeuvre them inside.
He explained to the Express: “Car insurance is often cheaper for those who park in more secure locations, so it might be a surprise to see that those who park in a garage actually end up with higher costs on average.
“One possible reason for this is likely related to cars increasing in size over recent years. This steady growth has made it much harder to fit cars in garages, which could be leading to an increase in claims for scrapes and bumps while parking in a garage, driving up premiums as a result.”
