Penalty charge notices for London PHV drivers

A penalty charge notice, or PCN, is a penalty similar to a fine for breaking a road rule such as a parking, loading or bus lane restriction. For a PHV driver, the cost of the notice is only part of the problem. The handbook also says that frequent notices can lead to licensing action. This guide explains how PCNs arrive, what the handbook says about reporting them, and how to cut the risk.

How a PCN reaches you

The handbook says PCNs can be given out by on-street parking attendants or enforcement officers. They can also be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle if the vehicle was caught on camera breaking the law. It adds that you may get a PCN even if you do not see an enforcement officer, and that the notice does not have to be attached to the windscreen to be valid.

This matters if you drive a vehicle you do not own. The notice goes to the registered keeper, so a rented or shared vehicle can mean a letter arrives at someone else's address. Agree in advance how you will be told.

What can earn one

According to the handbook, you can get a PCN for parking offences and for other moving traffic offences. Its examples are:

• Driving in a bus lane
• Banned turns or movements, such as an illegal U-turn
• Blocking a yellow box junction

The glossary adds that a PCN is a penalty for contravening road rules such as parking, loading, bus lanes and yellow box junctions.

Waiting is the common trap

Section 6 warns that you may get a PCN if you wait where restrictions apply, even if you arrived early or the passenger is late. It also says there is no general permission to leave your vehicle to help a passenger to or from a building. Some councils accept that this is part of the job, and the handbook suggests you make a note of the passenger and booking details in case a PCN follows. The council that issued it decides whether to accept your evidence. Nothing is guaranteed.

Our guides on red routes and driving and parking rules cover the stopping rules that sit behind most PCNs.

When you must tell TfL, and when you need not

The handbook draws a line between two groups.

Situation	Tell TfL?
PCN or parking ticket with no penalty points on your driving licence	No, you do not need to.
Fixed penalty notice or road traffic offence that results in penalty points	Yes, immediately.
Arrest, charge, conviction or caution for any crime	Yes, immediately.

The handbook is firm that reporting is your job. It says not to rely on the police informing TfL. Failing to report a conviction could lead to licence revocation. Our guide on what you must tell TfL sets out the full list of triggers and time limits.

Why repeats are a licence risk

Even though ordinary PCNs need no report, the handbook says that if TfL becomes aware you are getting frequent PCNs or parking tickets, it may take licensing action. The reason it gives is that TfL expects all licensed drivers to behave responsibly. The handbook does not say how many notices count as frequent, so do not assume a safe number.

Habits that reduce the chance

• Read the signs before you stop, not after.
• Pick up and drop off. Do not wait on restricted roads.
• Arrive early at an off-street spot and approach at the booked time.
• Check the booking details on your phone while parked legally, not while moving.
• Keep a note of the passenger, time and place when you must leave the vehicle briefly.
• Open post promptly. A forgotten notice can become a bigger problem.

The handbook does not explain how to challenge or pay a PCN. That is handled by the council or authority named on the notice, so follow the instructions on it.

Where this comes from

Handbook section 1 (Convictions, cautions and arrests; Other fixed penalties, parking tickets and PCNs), section 6 (Stopping and waiting; Penalty Charge Notices) and the glossary. Checked on 2 October 2026. Rules and processes can change, and the handbook says it is not a complete statement of the law.