Last reviewed 20 October 2026. General information only, not legal advice.
A council PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) is a statutory penalty issued by a local authority. A private parking charge is a contractual demand from a private company acting for a landowner.
Key differences
- Who issues it – a council, or a private company.
- Legal basis – traffic management law, or contract law.
- Independent appeals – London Tribunals or the Traffic Penalty Tribunal for councils; POPLA or the IAS for private operators.
- Enforcement – unpaid council PCNs can be registered as a debt through the Traffic Enforcement Centre; unpaid private charges can only be pursued through the civil courts.
MyParkedCar is an information and referral website. Parking bookings and specialist services are provided by third parties.