Croydon PCN: How to Pay or Appeal
Got a Croydon Council parking ticket? See the current charges, your 14-day discount deadline, and whether to pay or challenge. Free guidance, no jargon.
Croydon PCN charges (current rates)How much is a Croydon parking ticket?
Most roads in Croydon are Band A, so they apply the highest tier of charges; a few roads that border neighbouring boroughs are Band B. These rates have been in force across London since April 2025. Always check your notice before paying: once you pay, you accept the charge and close the case.
| Contravention type | Full charge | Paid within 14 days |
|---|---|---|
| Higher-level parking (double yellows, loading bans, disabled bay) | £160 | £80 |
| Lower-level parking (single yellows, paid bays, permit bays) | £110 | £55 |
| Bus lane contravention | £160 | £80 |
| Moving traffic contravention (box junction, camera-issued) | £160 | £80 |
On the few Band B roads, the higher-level charge is £140 (reduced to £70) and the lower-level charge is £90 (reduced to £45). Pay within 14 days from the date your PCN is served to get the 50% discount. The clock starts the day it is issued, not the day it arrives.
Check the prefix, and watch for scams. Genuine Croydon references begin with CR followed by 8 digits or letters. A reference starting with 'A' is for an environmental crime with a different payment and appeals process. Croydon does not issue PCNs by text, so treat any such message with caution.
Step-by-stepHow to pay a Croydon PCN online
No council websites. No confusing forms. No legal jargon. Just a clear, calm guide through what to do next, right from your phone using Snapmyfine.
Take a photo of your PCN
Open Snapmyfine and snap your ticket. The app reads every detail automatically; council, fine amount, contravention code, and the deadlines that matter most.
We explain it in simple terms
No jargon, no legalese. The app tells you exactly what your ticket means, what your rights are, and whether you have real grounds to challenge it.
Pay or appeal: your choice, made easy
Pay securely through Open Banking in seconds. Or let us help you build a proper appeal letter. Calm, clear, and written the way councils actually respond to.
The app also watches your deadlines for you. We’ll remind you before the 14-day and 28-day windows close, so nothing slips through the cracks.
PCN escalation · don't miss these windowsDeadlines and escalation timeline
A Croydon PCN does not expire, ignoring it only makes it more expensive. Here is exactly what happens and when.
PCN issued
Driver photographs the PCN on the spot using the Snapmyfine app. It lands in your dashboard instantly, no post, no email chase.
Pay at 50% discount or appeal
Pay the reduced charge (£80 or £55), or appeal in writing. Appealing within 14 days preserves the discount even if the appeal is rejected.
Full charge due or Notice to Owner
If you have not paid or appealed, the full charge (£160 or £110) is due. The council issues a Notice to Owner to the registered keeper.
Formal representations
After the Notice to Owner, you have 28 days to make formal representations to the council, setting out your legal grounds. This is your last formal council stage.
Charge increases by 50%
If you do not respond to the Notice to Owner, a Charge Certificate is issued. The fine jumps by 50%: £240 for a higher-level, £165 for a lower-level. This is registered debt.
Enforcement agents
The council registers the debt at the Traffic Enforcement Centre. An enforcement agent (bailiff) can then be instructed; they can add further costs.
Should you pay or appeal?How to challenge or appeal a Croydon PCN
You do not need a solicitor. All three stages are free. By law, appeals must be made in writing; do not phone about a PCN, the contact centre cannot help with it. You only move to the next stage if the previous decision goes against you.
Appeal (informal challenge)
If you think the PCN was issued incorrectly, appeal within 14 days. The quickest way is online via the Croydon portal; you can also email [email protected]. Appealing within 14 days preserves the discount even if your appeal is rejected.
Formal representations
If Croydon rejects your appeal, or your PCN reaches that stage, a Notice to Owner is issued and you make formal representations within 28 days on the prescribed grounds. This is the last stage at council level.
Appeal to London Tribunals
If the council rejects your formal representations, you can appeal to the independent adjudicator at London Tribunals within 28 days of the notice of rejection. This is free, and the adjudicator has no connection to the council. A Tribunal finding for you cancels the PCN entirely.
Strong grounds: photos of unclear or missing signs, a proof of payment (app receipt, parking ticket stub), loading documentation, a factual error on the PCN (wrong reg, location or time), or camera evidence that does not clearly show your vehicle. Croydon's heavy camera enforcement means procedural standards for postal PCNs are often a viable basis for challenge.
Not sure which stage you're at, or how long you've got?
Get Snapmyfine and stay on top of your CroydonPCN, so you don't miss the discount window or the 28-day cutoff. The app reads your notice, tells you exactly where you stand, and reminds you before each deadline.
Croydon Parking Services contact detailsHow to contact Croydon parking enforcement
Quote your PCN reference (beginning CR) in any contact. Have your vehicle registration ready. Appeals are handled in writing only, not by phone.
Online (pay, view or appeal)
ocmlive.xrxpsc.com/Croydon
Fastest method: view evidence, pay, or submit an informal challenge.
Phone (payment only)
0345 3000 614
At any time, Visa/Mastercard/Delta/Electron. Do not phone about an appeal.
Postal address
Croydon Council Parking Services, PO Box 1462, Croydon, CR9 1WX
Include your PCN number and vehicle registration. Allow additional time for postal responses.
Contact details last verified July 2026. Phone numbers, portal URLs and postal addresses can change. Always confirm at ocmlive.xrxpsc.com/Croydon.
Questions answeredFrequently asked questions about Croydon PCNs
If something's holding you back, it's probably answered here. Croydon-specific answers, not generic advice.
Croydon covered · free for driversManage your Croydon PCN in 60 seconds.
Snapmyfine covers all 33 London councils, Croydon included. Photograph your PCN and the app reads it, explains the contravention, tells you whether to pay or challenge, and reminds you before your deadline.
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This page is general information about London Borough of Croydon Penalty Charge Notices and is not legal advice. Snapmyfine is a technology app that helps you understand and manage parking tickets; it is not a law firm. Always check the details on your own notice and the council's official guidance.