The Durham Road User Charge Zone is a Road User Charging Scheme in place for vehicles entering the Durham peninsula. The Charging Authority for the scheme is Durham County Council.

The necessity to pay the charge and the time allotted is shown on signs on roads around the scheme.

Vehicles entering the zone must pay the road user charge in place, either in advance or 24 hours from the time of entry. A record of vehicles entering the zone is made using video cameras.

If payment of the road user charge for entering the zone is not made on time, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will be sent to the Registered Keeper of the vehicle that entered the zone. 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.

A Durham Road User Charge Zone PCN document will include details of:

• the date and time of the zone entry that was not paid for, as well as the location and a photograph of the vehicle.
• the Vehicle Registration Mark and other details of the vehicle that entered the zone
• 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 make representations against it.

The Road User Charging Scheme in place, including how PCNs can be enforced by Durham County Council, is provided for and regulated by various pieces of legislation.