Oxford Congestion Charge

PCN Grounds of Appeal

Oxford Congestion Charge

PCN Grounds of Appeal

Below are the only grounds (reasons) on which a Traffic Penalty Tribunal Adjudicator
can instruct Oxfordshire County Council to cancel an
Oxford Congestion Charge Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Unsure which ground
applies to your case?

Explain clearly why you are submitting an appeal in as much detail as possible.
The Adjudicator will be able to identify if a ground of appeal
or compelling reason applies in your case.

Below are the only grounds (reasons) on which a Traffic Penalty Tribunal Adjudicator can instruct Oxfordshire County Council to cancel an Oxford Congestion Charge Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Unsure which ground applies to your case?

Explain clearly why you are submitting an appeal in as much detail as possible. The Adjudicator will be able to identify if a ground of appeal or compelling reason applies in your case.

No road user charge was payable

For example, the vehicle is a type other than ‘M1’, according to the DVLA vehicle checker – as specified by Oxfordshire County Council – or another exemption applied.

You were not the Registered Keeper of the vehicle when the alleged contravention occurred

For example:

you have never been the Registered Keeper
you sold it before, or bought it after, the date of the contravention. You will usually be required to provide the name / address details of who you bought the vehicle from / sold the vehicle to in your appeal. If you cannot do this, you should explain why
it was under a long-term leasing arrangement that transfers ‘keepership’ from the Registered Keeper to the hirer.

The vehicle was taken without consent

This ground covers stolen vehicles and vehicles used without the owner’s consent. It could apply, for example, to a vehicle taken by ‘joy riders’. It does not generally apply to vehicles in the care of a garage or borrowed by a relative or friend. If possible, you should supply a crime reference number from the police when submitting an appeal.

The owner is a vehicle hire firm

This ground applies only to qualifying formal hire agreements, where the hirer has signed an agreement accepting liability of penalty charges issued during the hire period. You should provide the hirer’s name and address and a copy of the agreement when making an appeal to us.

For further guidance, see:

The penalty exceeded the amount that applied

This means Oxfordshire County Council has asked for more than they are entitled to under the relevant regulations.

There has been a procedural impropriety by the authority

This means Oxfordshire County Council has not complied with the relevant regulations. For example:

the PCN or another document did not give the required information
Oxfordshire County Council did not respond to your challenge, or responded too late.

The road user charge was paid on time and as required

The road user charge should have been paid either in advance or by midnight the day after driving past a charging location.

Compelling reasons

The Adjudicator can’t cancel a PCN based on a compelling reason, but they can ask Oxfordshire County Council to reconsider their decision to issue the penalty. You should explain clearly why you are appealing and as much detail on the circumstances as possible, which the Adjudicator will consider.