Request ID: FOI-1492-2223 Date published: 26 September 2022
You asked
1. Total number of PCN’s issued 2. Total number of PCN’s issued for first offences 3. Total number of successful appeals against point 2 above
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1492-2223
Thank you for your request received by us on 31 August 2022 asking for information about Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) penalty charge notices (PCNs). Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
By way of background, we make our customers aware of the need to pay the road user charges by means of signage on the roads and streets and by having a wealth of information on our website. It is every driver’s responsibility to check before they travel to ensure the charge is paid where necessary. Having passed signage making them aware that they are entering or leaving the zone, the onus is ultimately on drivers to familiarise themselves with the rules of the scheme and ensure that the daily charge is paid within the prescribed timeframe to avoid being issued with a PCN. Drivers then have three days to pay the daily charge after the day of travel, which we feel is a reasonable timeframe to ensure avoiding a PCN.
Signage was installed and in use in advance of the ULEZ expansion being implemented. Early warning signage was installed at entrances to the zone between July and September, explaining the ULEZ was coming on 25 October 2021. This was replaced at go-live by permanent road signs at every entry point along the boundary and along key arterial approaches. More than 400 repeater signs were also installed inside the zone close to every boundary point and on main roads throughout the zone. Additionally we had a media campaign to make drivers aware of their responsibilities when driving in London. All the information regarding ULEZ compliance and the standards required is on our website, along with a map of the zone and a vehicle registration checker to allow drivers to see if their journey takes them into it and if a daily charge is due.
When a PCN is issued a motorist has a right to challenge the penalty by making a representation to us. If the representation is accepted the penalty is cancelled. If we reject the representation the motorist has a further right of appeal to an Independent Adjudicator at London Tribunals. If the appeal is refused the penalty remains open, if it is allowed the penalty is cancelled.
Specifically you asked for:
Total number of PCNs issued
TfL issued 2,799,510 ULEZ PCNs since the start of the scheme, as at 23 September 2022.
Total number of PCNs issued for first offences
Total number of successful appeals against point 2 above
Under representation reasons including “UNAWARE OF SCHEME/PAYMENTS/HOW OPERATES” and “FIRST CONTRAVENTION”, we received 6,507 representations. Of these 6,267 were accepted, 220 rejected and 20 are still open.
We received a total of 14 appeals, of which one was accepted, 12 were not contested by TfL and one was refused.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
