A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is a document issued by a local authority or charging authority to a motorist, detailing an alleged contravention of its traffic restrictions (as detailed in Traffic Regulation Orders or Road User Charging Scheme Orders) by the vehicle they were driving.

A PCN is either attached to the windscreen of the vehicle (in the case of parking contraventions) or sent through the post to the Registered Keeper of the vehicle. The Registered Keeper may not necessarily have been the driver at the time of the alleged contravention, but they are legally liable for the penalty charge.

The PCN document will include details of:

• the date and time of the alleged contravention
• the Vehicle Registration Mark and other details of the vehicle that the alleged contravention refers to
• a description and details of the alleged contravention, sometimes with a photograph
• the amount (in £) of the penalty charge that needs to be paid.
  • this will include a reduced / discounted rate (50% of the penalty charge amount) that applies if the PCN is paid within 14 days.

The document will also include instructions on how to pay the penalty charge or challenge it.

The civil enforcement of traffic restrictions by a local authority or charging authority – including the issuing of PCNs – is provided for and regulated by various pieces of legislation.