Congestion Charge PCN: pay or appeal your TfL PCN
Got a Congestion Charge Penalty Charge Notice from Transport for London? Take a breath. You have options, and acting early can cut what you pay in half.
Congestion Charge PCN amounts (current rates)How much is a Congestion Charge PCN?
A Congestion Charge PCN is issued by camera to the registered keeper, it is a road user charging penalty, not a parking ticket. Paying within 14 days from the date of service cuts the charge in half. Once you pay, you accept the charge and close the case.
| Stage | Amount | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| PCN paid within 14 days (50% discount) | £90 | 14 days from date of service |
| PCN full penalty | £180 | 28 days from date of service |
| Charge Certificate (50% increase) | £270 | 14 days from service of the certificate |
| Order for Recovery (debt registered at the TEC, plus registration fee) | Commonly reported as £280 including a £10 debt registration fee | 21 days from date of service |
| Warrant of Control (enforcement agent) | Penalty plus enforcement agent fees | After the Order for Recovery is unpaid |
Pay within 14 days from the date of service to get the 50% discount. The clock starts the day the PCN is served, not the day you find it. Paying also closes the case; TfL cannot reconsider once paid.
The daily Congestion Charge itself rose to £18 from 2 January 2026 (£21 if you pay by midnight on the third day after travel). The penalty is completely separate from the daily charge, so a £90 or £180 penalty is not an 'increased' daily charge.
Step-by-stepHow to pay Congestion Charge 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.
Scan the notice
Open Snapmyfine and photograph the ticket. It pulls out the details that matter on its own: the issuing council, the amount, the contravention code, and every deadline attached to it.
See what it means, in plain English
You get a straightforward read on what the ticket actually says, what your options are, and whether there is a sensible case to challenge it. No legal wording to decode.
Pay or appeal, whichever is right for you
Settle it securely by Open Banking in a few taps, or use the app to put together a measured appeal, structured the way councils expect to receive one.
The app also keeps an eye on the dates for you, with a nudge before the 14-day, 21-day and 28-day windows close, so nothing slips past.
PCN escalation · don't miss these windowsDeadlines and escalation timeline
A Congestion Charge PCN does not go away if you ignore it. Here is exactly what happens at each stage and when.
PCN issued
The PCN is issued and served by post to the registered keeper after cameras record your vehicle in the zone with no valid payment by midnight on the third charging day.
Pay at 50% discount or challenge
Pay £90 at the 50% discount, or make a representation to protect your position.
Full charge due or Notice to Owner
Pay the full £180, or make a formal representation.
Charge Certificate
If it is still unpaid after 28 days, the penalty rises by 50% to £270. You then have 14 days to pay.
Order for Recovery
If unpaid after a further 14 days, TfL can register the debt at the Traffic Enforcement Centre and the amount rises by the debt registration fee. You have 21 days to pay or file a statutory declaration. This is not a County Court Judgment and does not affect your credit rating.
Warrant of Control
If it is still unpaid, TfL applies for a warrant and passes the case to an enforcement agent, who can add their own fees.
Should you pay or appeal?How to challenge or appeal a Congestion Charge PCN
You do not need a solicitor. All three stages are free. You only move to the next stage if the previous decision goes against you.
Representation to TfL
Write to TfL within 28 days of the date of service online (via TfL's website), by post, or by phone on 0343 222 3333. If you represent within 14 days, TfL holds the discounted rate while it considers your case. TfL must respond; if it accepts, the PCN is cancelled.
Notice of Acceptance or Rejection
If TfL accepts your representation, the PCN is cancelled. If TfL rejects it, you receive a Notice of Rejection with an official Notice of Appeal form. TfL must explain its reasons.
Appeal to London Tribunals
Appeal to the Road User Charging Adjudicators at London Tribunals, the independent adjudicator for TfL road user charging penalties. The hearing is free and can be decided by post, online or in person. If the adjudicator allows your appeal, the PCN is cancelled entirely.
Valid grounds include: you were not the registered keeper at the time; the charge was paid for the correct vehicle and date; no penalty was payable; the vehicle was used without your consent; you are a hire firm and have supplied the hirer's details; the penalty exceeds the amount due; procedural impropriety by TfL. Mitigating circumstances may also be raised, though considered at TfL's discretion rather than as a formal ground at the tribunal.
Not sure which stage you're at, or how long you've got?
Get Snapmyfine and stay on top of your Congestion ChargePCN, 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.
TfL contact and payment detailsHow to contact TfL about your Congestion Charge PCN
Quote your PCN reference number in all contact. Have your vehicle registration ready.
Online portal (pay or challenge)
TfL PCN portal, tfl.gov.uk
View evidence, pay or submit representation, fastest method
PCN enquiries by phone
0343 222 3333
Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 20:00
General Congestion Charge enquiries
0343 222 2222
Textphone: 020 7649 9123 (for those with impaired hearing)
Appeals body, London Tribunals
Road User Charging Adjudicators, PO Box 460, Hartlepool, TS24 4JE
Tel: 020 7520 7200 · Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 · Independent of TfL
Representations by post
Congestion Charging, PO Box 340, Darlington, DL1 9PZ
Allow additional time for postal responses
Contact details last verified July 2026. Phone numbers, portal URLs and postal addresses can change. Always confirm at TfL PCN portal, tfl.gov.uk.
Questions answeredFrequently asked questions about Congestion Charge PCN
If something's holding you back, it's probably answered here. Congestion Charge-specific answers, not generic advice.
Free for drivers · No account requiredNot sure whether to pay or fight your Congestion Charge PCN?
Scan your PCN with Snapmyfine. The app reads the notice, shows your exact deadline, tells you if you have grounds to challenge, and tracks every date, all in under 60 seconds.
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Snapmyfine is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Transport for London. This page is general information, not legal advice. Always check your PCN and the official TfL website for the details that apply to your case.