How to challenge

Any challenge against a parking fine must be made in writing within the specified deadline. We cannot accept formal challenges by telephone.

You must submit your challenge in writing, either by email or post.  You must fully explain your circumstances, and send us any supporting information or evidence, eg a pay & display ticket. Please ensure you keep copies of everything you send us.

Think carefully about your challenge. It will not be acceptable just to say 'I always park there and I have never had a ticket before', or 'I just had to pop into a shop / visit the cash point', or 'I was only a couple of minutes'. In these circumstances a ticket would not be cancelled.

Please note: if a payment for a PCN is made to the council it is not possible to challenge your fine. However, if a payment is made for an ECN you are still able to challenge your fine.

The information we need with your formal challenge

You must supply us with:

• The serial number of the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) or Excess Charge Notice (ECN)
• The date when the parking fine was issued
• The vehicle registration number
• A written explanation of the circumstances

In addition, when relevant, you must:

• Supply supporting documentation, such as a copy of a pay and display ticket or blue badge
• Provide written evidence from an independent third party, eg the garage that repaired your car
• Quote the serial number of a valid permit for the parking area

Who to make your challenge to and when

Select the relevant council below to submit your challenge. Your PCN or ECN will show the council which issued the ticket.

To qualify for the reduced fine, your challenge must be received by the issuing council by the challenge deadline.

Receiving your challenge

While considering your challenge the fine will be put on hold.

You should receive a response within 10 working days in the form of a decision, or an acknowledgement if the decision will take longer.

If your challenge is turned down

If your challenge is turned down, you will be sent a reply explaining why, and showing what to do next including payment details.

If the council does not agree with the challenge, you will be advised of when you have to pay your fine.

If your challenge is successful

If your challenge is successful your ticket will be cancelled. If you made a payment for an ECN at the time of your challenge this will be returned to you.

• Challenging a fine - Christchurch

  Your challenge must be received by us within five working days of the parking fine being issued.

• Challenging a fine - Dorset County Council

  Your challenge must be received by us within 14 working days of the parking fine being issued

• Challenging a fine - East Dorset

  Your challenge must be received by us within 14 days of the parking fine being issued.

• Challenging a fine - West Dorset

  Your challenge must be received by us within five working days of the parking fine being issued

• Challenge a fine - Weymouth and Portland

  How to challenge a penalty charge notice.