Parking tickets
Major changes to the way councils enforce parking are on the way as the Civil Parking Enforcement Regulations came into effect on 31 March 2008.
New civil parking enforcement regulations, which are part of the Traffic Management Act 2004, bring with them the most radical shakeup of parking enforcement in England and Wales for years.
The new regulations cover on street and off street parking and are aimed at ensuring that parking enforcement is fairer and more transparent and provide motorists with a consistent service across the country.
Under the new regulations there will be two levels of penalty charges depending on the severity of contraventions and in certain circumstances there will no longer be a need for a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) to be placed on a vehicle, or handed to a driver in order for it to be properly served as the new rules allow the PCN to be posted to the registered keeper of the vehicle.
Payments and appeals
Payment can made by cash, credit/debit card, cheque or postal order (made payable to DARTFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL) and full payment details are shown on the notice.
- You
may also Pay Online now using a credit or debit card
Please note: the online system is having problems accepting payments for Penalty Charge Notices issued with the prefix KD, therefore if you wish to make payment please telephone Parking Services on 01322 343131; Penalty Charge Notices issued with the prefix DT can still be paid online.
Appealing against your Penalty Charge Notice
If you wish to appeal against your Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) you should do before 14 days of the issue, it will then be placed “on hold” at the discounted amount of either £25 or £35. You will then be making an INFORMAL (or stage 1) APPEAL. The Council will consider your appeal and it will either be upheld or if it is rejected you will be given a further 14 days to pay at the discounted rate.
If you wish to make a FORMAL (or stage 2) APPEAL, you will need to wait until the Penalty Notice is at the Full Penalty Charge of either £50 or £70. A Notice to Owner will then be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle. This will then enable them to make a formal appeal and, if that is rejected, they will then be sent the necessary paperwork to enable them to take their appeal to the TRAFFIC PENALTY TRIBUNAL.
- The Online Appeal Forms - stage 1 or 2 - complete them online now
You must give a valid reason for making an appeal. These are some of the reasons that are NOT valid for example:
- That the parking restrictions are unfair
- That you had only parked for a few minutes
- That you were not causing an obstruction
- That there was nowhere else to park
