Challenging an out of time penalty charge notice
Guide for professionals
Apply to the traffic enforcement centre
Your client must apply to the traffic enforcement centre to challenge the PCN out of time.
Find the correct forms
Your client needs to send two completed forms to the traffic enforcement centre.
Form 1: Grounds to challenge the PCN
Form 2: Request permission to challenge the debt out of time
If your client received the court order, they should have received the relevant challenge form enclosed. Find traffic enforcement centre forms on Gov.uk.
Traffic Enforcement Centre forms
| PCN type | Challenge form | Out of time request form | Grounds for challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking (outside London) | TE9 | TE7 | 1 to 4 |
| Parking (in London) | PE3 | PE2 | 1 to 3 |
| Moving traffic contravention outside London after 1.6.22 | TE9 | TE7 | 1 to 4 |
| Moving traffic contravention ouside London before 1.6.22 | PE3 | PE2 | 1 to 3 |
| Moving traffic contravention in London | PE3 | PE2 | 1 to 3 |
| Dart Charge | TE9 | TE7 | 1 to 4 |
| Merseyflow Charge | TE9 | TE7 | 1 to 4 |
| Clean Air Zone (CAZ) | TE9 | TE7 | 1 to 4 |
| Low and Ultra Low Emission Zones (LEZ and ULEZ) | PE3 | PE2 | 1 to 3 |
Your client must explain the grounds for challenging out of time when completing form TE7 or PE2.
Arrange for the forms to be witnessed
Forms PE2 and PE3 must be witnessed and sworn before your client sends them to the traffic enforcement centre. A solicitor, an officer of the County Court, or a justice of the peace can witness the forms.
Your client can make an appointment at their local county court for the form to be sworn and witnessed free of charge. A solicitor will charge a small fee.
Send the application form
Send the completed forms to the traffic enforcement centre by email or post. You can find the address details on the forms.
Enforcement agents will be told to stop any action while an out of time challenge is considered by the local authority that issued the PCN.
Last updated: 23 February 2026
