PCN Helper – Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PCN?
A PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) is a parking or traffic penalty issued by a council or a private parking operator.
It is not a criminal offence, but ignoring it can lead to increased charges or debt recovery.
Who can use PCN Helper?
Any UK driver who has received a parking or traffic-related penalty — whether from a council, private parking company, or transport authority — can use PCN Helper to challenge it quickly and easily.
How does the PCN Helper service work?
- Upload a photo of your PCN and explain what happened.
- Our team prepares a professional appeal letter based on the details of your case.
- We submit the appeal to the correct authority on your behalf.
- We continue supporting you until the case is closed.
The full service costs £9.90 and includes appeal preparation, submission, and ongoing support.
Do you offer free appeal letters?
We no longer offer free custom appeal letters.
However, we provide free appeal templates that you can use to submit an appeal yourself.
These templates cover many common situations such as:
- Payment machine issues
- Short stops
- Incorrect vehicle registration entry
- Poor signage
You can find them on our Templates page.
What is included in the £9.90 service?
For £9.90, our team provides:
- A professionally written appeal letter
- Submission of the appeal to the correct authority
- Help with preparing evidence if needed
- Guidance on any responses you receive
- Ongoing support until the case is closed
If the issuer rejects the appeal and the payable charge is not reduced, our money-back guarantee applies.
How long does it take to submit my appeal?
Appeals are prepared and submitted no later than within 24 hours, but usually much sooner.
What happens after the appeal is submitted?
The parking operator or council will review the appeal and send a decision by post or email.
This usually takes 14–28 days, depending on the authority.
If they request further information or reject the appeal, we will guide you on the next steps.
Is PCN Helper a legal service?
No. PCN Helper is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
We help drivers prepare strong appeal letters using publicly available regulations, consumer rights guidance, and industry best practices.
What if my appeal is rejected?
If your appeal is rejected and the payable charge is not reduced, you are covered by our money-back guarantee.
We will also explain your further options, such as escalating the case to an independent tribunal if applicable.
Can you help with both council and private PCNs?
Yes. We help with appeals for:
• Council PCNs (bus lanes, parking bays, box junctions, red routes)
• Private parking charges (supermarkets, retail parks, hospitals)
• Transport and airport drop-off zones
Do I need to upload my PCN photo?
Yes. Uploading a clear photo of the PCN helps us identify the correct authority and prepare an accurate appeal.
What success rate does PCN Helper have?
Our customers report around a 75% success rate across all appeal types.
Each case is different, but a well-prepared appeal significantly increases the chances of cancellation.
Is my personal data secure?
Yes. All information submitted through our forms is kept safe and never shared with third parties.
Your details are used only to prepare and submit your appeal.
I already paid the fine — can I still appeal?
Once a fine is paid, most authorities consider the case closed.
However, if you paid under pressure or by mistake, you may still contact the issuer directly to request a review.
Need more help?
If you have a question not listed here, please contact us via our Contact page — we’ll respond as soon as possible.