Jargon Buster
What does that mean?
Parking tickets are full of terms nobody explains. Here's what they actually mean, in plain English.
Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)A statutory fine from a council or TfL for a parking or traffic contravention.Parking Charge NoticeA private parking company's contractual claim, not a legal fine.Notice to OwnerThe formal escalation notice a council or TfL sends if an initial PCN goes unpaid.Notice to KeeperA private operator's equivalent of a Notice to Owner.Charge CertificateA 50% increase issued by a council/TfL if a Notice to Owner goes unresolved.POPLAThe free, independent appeals body for private parking tickets from BPA-accredited operators.IAS (Independent Appeals Service)The equivalent of POPLA for operators accredited by the IPC instead of the BPA.Traffic Penalty TribunalThe independent tribunal for council/TfL PCN appeals outside London.London TribunalsThe independent tribunal for council/TfL PCN appeals inside London boroughs.TMA 2004 (Traffic Management Act 2004)The statute that gives councils and TfL the legal power to issue and enforce PCNs.POFA 2012 (Protection of Freedoms Act 2012)The statute that lets private parking operators hold the registered keeper liable, not just the driver.Code of Practice (BPA/IPC)The rulebook private parking operators are contractually bound to follow.Grace periodThe minimum time you must be allowed after paid/permitted parking ends before a charge is valid.De minimisA general legal principle that trivial, technical breaches shouldn't be enforced as harshly as real ones.ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition)Camera-based enforcement that reads number plates automatically.Witness Statement / Statutory DeclarationThe sworn form used to challenge an Order for Recovery after a Charge Certificate.
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