Red Route PCN: pay or appeal your TfL PCN
A red route Penalty Charge Notice comes from Transport for London, not your council, because red routes are TfL roads. Paying within the discount window halves the charge, and you can challenge it if it is wrong.
Red Route PCN amounts (current rates)How much is a Red Route PCN?
A red route PCN is issued by camera or a civil enforcement officer for stopping, parking, loading or a moving traffic contravention on a red route, a TfL road, not a council road. Paying within the discount window cuts the charge in half. Once you pay, you accept the charge and close the case.
| Stage | Amount | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Paid within the discount window (50% off) | £80 (£65 lower level) | 14 days (or 21 days, as stated on your PCN) |
| Full penalty | £160 (£130 lower level) | 28 days |
| Order for Recovery (plus £9 TEC fee) | £249 (£204 lower level) | 21 days |
| Charge Certificate (50% increase) | £240 (£195 lower level) | 14 days from the Charge Certificate |
| Warrant of Control | Penalty + enforcement agent fees | After the Order for Recovery is unpaid |
Pay within the discount window shown on your PCN, 14 days, or 21 days for some contraventions, 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.
Red route penalties are banded. The higher level applies to more serious contraventions such as stopping on double red lines; the lower level applies to less serious ones. Your PCN states which band applies. TfL raised the higher level from £130 to £160 in 2022, bringing it into line with the Congestion Charge and ULEZ penalties.
Step-by-stepHow to pay Red Routes 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.
Take a photo of your PCN
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.
We explain it in simple terms
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, your choice, made easy
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. Snapmyfine 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.
The app also watches your deadlines for you with a nudge before the 14-day, 21-day and 28-day windows close, so nothing slips through the cracks.
PCN escalation · don't miss these windowsDeadlines and escalation timeline
A red route 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 by camera (CCTV) or a civil enforcement officer on the red route, and served to the registered keeper.
Pay at 50% discount or challenge
Pay at the 50% discount (£80 higher level / £65 lower level), or make an informal representation. TfL holds the discounted rate while it considers your case.
Full penalty due or rejection
Pay the full amount (£160 or £130), or make a formal representation; if TfL rejects it, you can pay or appeal to London Tribunals.
Charge Certificate
If it is still unpaid after 28 days, the penalty rises by 50% to £240 (£195 lower level). You then have 14 days to pay.
Order for Recovery
If unpaid after a further 14 days, TfL registers the debt at the Traffic Enforcement Centre and adds a £9 fee (£249 at the higher level). You have 21 days to pay or file a statutory declaration.
Warrant of Control
If it is still unpaid, TfL applies for a warrant of control 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 Red Route 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
Challenge online, by post or, in some cases, by phone on 0343 222 3333. Enforcement is put on hold while TfL considers your representation. 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 Environment and Traffic Adjudicators at London Tribunals, the independent adjudicator for TfL red route 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.
Grounds depend on the contravention on your PCN. For parking and loading (prefix GF): the contravention did not occur; the traffic order was invalid; the vehicle was taken without consent; the penalty exceeds the amount due; you were not the owner or keeper; a hire firm supplied the hirer's details; the charge was already paid; or procedural impropriety. Bus lane and yellow box junction contraventions (prefix GT) have their own grounds. Mitigating circumstances may also be raised, though considered at TfL's discretion rather than as a formal ground.
Not sure which stage you're at, or how long you've got?
Get Snapmyfine and stay on top of your Red RoutesPCN, 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 Red Route 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 and representations
0343 222 3333
Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00, Sat 09:00–13:00
Written representations
Handled mostly online
TfL directs most red route representations online, confirm the correspondence address printed on your PCN if posting one.
Appeals body, London Tribunals
Environment and Traffic Adjudicators, PO Box 460, Hartlepool, TS24 4JE
Tel: 020 7520 7200 · Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 · Independent of TfL
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 Red Routes PCN
If something's holding you back, it's probably answered here. Red Routes-specific answers, not generic advice.
Free for drivers · No account requiredNot sure whether to pay or fight your Red Route PCN?
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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.