Request ID: FOI-1210-2223 Date published: 13 September 2022
You asked
I would like to request:
-Monthly figures for the number of penalty charge notices (PCNs) being cancelled due to the car being a clone from 1 January 2016
-The number of separate cars being identified as clones each month as a result of the PCN appeals process
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1210-2223
Thank you for your request received on 16 August 2022 asking for information about penalty charge notices (PCNs) and incidents of car cloning.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked for:
• Monthly figures for the number of penalty charge notices (PCNs) being cancelled due to the car being a clone from 1 January 2016 • The number of separate cars being identified as clones each month as a result of the PCN appeals process
The Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone operate through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. As a vehicle enters, leave or drives within the zone the registration, along with an image of the vehicle, is recorded by an ANPR camera. At the end of the charge payment period the list of registrations observed in the zone is compared with the list of vehicles which have had the charge paid, or are exempt or 100% discounted from the charge or have an active Auto Pay account. Where a match is found the image of the vehicle is deleted. Where no match is found the image is retained for enforcement purposes. We then contact the DVLA to obtain details of the registered keeper and the vehicle make and model details. Prior to issuing a penalty we verify that the vehicle details provided by the DVLA match the image of the vehicle which we have. Where there is a match a PCN is issued. If the vehicle description provided by the DVLA doesn’t match the image of the vehicle which we have, a PCN will not be issued. We carry out a similar verification process for penalties issued for parking, moving, and stopping contraventions taking place on the Transport for London Road Network, the Red Routes.
On receipt of a penalty a motorist has a statutory right to challenge it by submitting a representation to us. If a motorist contacts us stating that the penalty has been issued due to the vehicle being cloned, we ask for evidence to support this. On receipt of satisfactory evidence the representation will be accepted and the PCN cancelled. If no evidence is provided, or we are unable to verify the claim that the vehicle has been cloned, the representation will be rejected. When a representation is rejected the motorist is granted a right of appeal to an Independent Adjudicator at London Tribunals.
The attached tables give details of the number of penalties cancelled as a result of a vehicle being cloned, along with the number of unique vehicles the penalties related to and the overall percentage of penalties cancelled. We only have data available from October 2016 for Congestion Charging.
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic our charging schemes were suspended in April and May 2020 and therefore no penalties were issued during those months.
Please note the following regarding the attached data: * 2022 figures to end of July only * 23 March - 18 May 2020: CC/ULEZ suspended * No CC between Christmas and New Year each year (aside from 2020) * ULEZ introduced on 08 April 2019. A Warning Notice period applied, where PCNs were not issued * ULEZ expanded on 25 October 2021. A Warning Notice period applied, where PCNs were not issued. * Direct Vision Standard was introduced in April 2021. A Warning Notice period applied, where PCNs were not issued * Figures are subject to build over time * Figures are correct as at 18/08/2022 - historic figures are subject to change in line with expectations * Unique Vehicle counts are unique counts per month
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
