A client can challenge a PCN after a warrant of control has been issued.

Visit from enforcement agents

Enforcement agents can visit a vehicle owner's property to recover unpaid penalties or seize goods under a warrant of control. The warrant is issued by the traffic enforcement centre, which is part of HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

County Court powers do not apply

The debt is not a County Court judgment. This means your client cannot apply to suspend the warrant or vary payment terms because the court only has these powers for orders made by the County Court.

How to challenge an out of time debt

Once a warrant of control is issued, your client cannot dispute the debt with the local authority or appeal to a traffic penalty tribunal. Instead, they must seek permission to challenge the debt out of time by applying to the traffic enforcement centre.

There is no time limit for submitting an out of time challenge.