Bailiffs for Parking Fines and PCNs: Your Options

Bailiffs for Parking Fines: What You Can Do

Unpaid council parking and traffic fines (PCNs) can be passed to bailiffs. If you didn’t know about the fine, you may be able to file an out-of-time statement to pause enforcement.

Last updated: November 2026

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The formal debt solutions mentioned here (IVAs, DROs and bankruptcy) follow the rules for England and Wales. If you live in Scotland, different solutions apply.

Council parking fines, bus lane fines and some other traffic penalties escalate quickly if they’re not paid or challenged. By the time bailiffs are involved, the amount can be several times the original fine.

The short answer

A PCN goes from notice to charge certificate (50% increase) to order for recovery.
Councils register the debt at the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC) at Northampton County Court.
If unpaid, the TEC issues a warrant and the council instructs bailiffs.
If you didn’t receive the notices, you may be able to file an out-of-time witness statement.
Private parking tickets are different and can’t go straight to bailiffs.

How does a parking fine reach bailiffs?

Penalty charge notice (PCN) issued.
Notice to owner, if unpaid.
Charge certificate, increasing the fine by 50%.
Order for recovery registered at the TEC.
Warrant of control issued, and enforcement agents instructed.

Can I stop it?

If you didn’t receive the notices, for example because you moved, you can file an out-of-time witness statement (form TE9 with a TE7 application) with the TEC. If accepted, the warrant is cancelled and you can challenge the PCN or pay the original amount. Contact the enforcement firm to tell them you’ve applied.

What if I just can't afford to pay?

Contact the enforcement firm and offer an affordable payment plan. Explain any vulnerability. See can bailiffs refuse a payment plan? and can bailiffs take my car?

What about private parking tickets?

Tickets from private companies on private land are invoices, not fines. They need a court judgment before any bailiff action.

Common questions

Can bailiffs come for a private parking ticket?

Not without a court judgment first. Private parking charges are civil claims, not council fines.

Can parking fines go into an IVA?

Council PCNs are civil debts and can often be included, but get advice, especially if enforcement has started.

How much do bailiffs add to a parking fine?

The statutory fees: £75 at compliance, £235 at enforcement and £110 at sale, plus percentages on larger debts.

Getting help

You don’t have to deal with debt on your own. Free, impartial advice is available from MoneyHelper, StepChange and National Debtline. If you want to talk through whether a formal solution such as an IVA could be suitable, you can also get in touch with us.