Penalty Charge Notices, parking policies and exemptions

If a vehicle has been vandalised or damaged while parked, police confirmation of the incident or proof of breakdown is required in order to cancel the PCN.  

When a motorist has left their vehicle to collect a key to gain access to a premises, the time taken should not be excessive and the vehicle should not be left where there is a total prohibition on waiting.              

This is usually an exemption, but each case is treated on its own merits.

Exemptions do not apply for overrunning appointments. An exemption may apply if the person is referred for immediate treatment when in the hospital, with suitable evidence. 

In cases where the motorist is claiming an emergency visit to a hospital, the PCN will be cancelled if enough evidence is provided and the emergency is seen to be genuine.

Where there is a pre-arranged appointment and the motorist was delayed in returning to the vehicle, the PCN will be upheld, unless the emergency developed during the appointment, in which case further evidence will be requested.             

Where a person has been to visit a doctor or a hospital and is detained and sectioned under the Mental Health Act, the PCN will be cancelled after confirmation is received from the GP or doctor concerned.

If the motorist of the vehicle has been arrested by the police and the vehicle has been left in contravention of the regulations, the PCN should not be enforced unless the motorist had ample time (at least 12 hours after being released from custody) to remove the vehicle. 

Requests for cancellation of a PCN from police officers, solicitors, barristers, court witnesses or members of the public who are delayed because a court hearing was delayed or took longer than expected are not allowed.

The motorist is expected to arrange for the broken down vehicle to be removed within 24 hours. If the vehicle cannot be removed within this time, we expect to see some evidence that the motorist has contacted the breakdown service or garage.     

A receipt for the purchase of a new battery or for parts, which could cause a flat battery, is required. If there is no supporting evidence, the PCN is upheld.

Consideration is also given as to how the vehicle came to be illegally parked before it failed to restart.     

The PCN is upheld unless there is a good reason why the motorist could not change the tyre, for example the motorist is elderly or disabled, or where the breakdown services were called because of mechanical difficulty.  

Where the vehicle overheated due to lack of water, the PCN should be upheld unless there is evidence of a mechanical failure, for example a broken fan belt, faulty radiator or hose. 

Unless the motorist provides evidence that the vehicle ran out of fuel due to an electrical or mechanical fault, the PCN should be upheld.

Normal loading/unloading, delivery and collection rules apply. 

Only security vehicles can claim a loading/unloading exemption when carrying cash and other valuables. There is no exemption for other vehicles visiting the bank. 

If the delivery or collection involves large amounts of coinage, a PCN may be cancelled with suitable proof being received, as the activity will fall into the normal delivery or loading provisions regarding heavy items, which could not normally be carried.

Shopping may be classed as goods. The exemption does not cover the time needed for the shopping itself, but it would apply while the goods are being put into a car. If they are heavy or bulky, the loading exemption will apply, but even if they are not, the collection exemption may apply – providing this warranted the use of the vehicle.    

There is no general exception for bailiffs’ vehicles. If this is claimed, they may be able to claim an exemption for loading. The following information will be needed:              

• warrant number
• list of goods

Deliveries of small items is permitted, but it should be considered that the smaller and lighter the goods, the shorter the time needed to deliver. There may be a greater evidential burden on the motorist to prove that he took no longer than was necessary if there was a lengthy absence from the vehicle.

The delivery process applies to the completion of paperwork, which is reasonably required, such as delivery note, obtaining a signature.

There may also be some other form of delay, for example papers not ready, people cannot be found, and goods need to be located. The motorist should be covered for unexpected delays and allowed a reasonable time while goods are being located, but this is not an automatic exemption covering however long it takes.             

Parking while investigating whether or not there are goods to be collected is not covered, unless the motorist can reasonably expect that there are goods there but then finds out that there are none, for example, a prior appointment or a regular round, rather than canvassing. 

This falls on the motorist. The shorter the observation period, the easier it will be for the motorist to establish that the exemption applies.             

Any lack of observable activity by the CEO does not imply that activity was not taking place and there is no authority for saying that it must be continuous. In Leeds a 5-minute observation period is applied.             

If the motorist is delivering goods to the 20th floor for example, it is likely that there may be a period in excess of 5-10 minutes where no activity is observed by a CEO. It is important to understand that this does not mean that no loading or unloading was taking place. Again, the circumstances have to be taken into account.              

There is no requirement for any of the vehicle doors or the boot to be left open to indicate that loading is taking place. 

Claims by companies that toxic or highly dangerous substances were being delivered/collected or used in nearby premises need to be given careful consideration.             

On the first occasion the company concerned will be requested to provide evidence that the activity was taking place and if this is provided, the PCN will be cancelled. 

On occasion, residents may require additional visitor parking. This will usually be required for a short period and may be for the following types of situation:             

• new resident pending issue of permit
• weddings, parties and other family gatherings
• funerals and wakes
• coffee mornings and charity fund-raisers
   
• short term family medical care

In such cases, a dispensation can be offered providing a vehicle registration number for each vehicle is supplied and a start and end time can be given. A dispensation form must be completed and the dispensation procedure followed in each case. Other scenarios will be considered by a supervisor before a decision is made and the householder advised.         

Motorists who claim they were unable to reach their intended parking space because of obstruction are not exempt.              

If a motorist claims that access is being persistently blocked, CEOs will issue PCNs to vehicles which are parked in contravention and will also respond to the complaints from house-holders who report vehicles parked across their driveways.              

The police deal with obstructions but will not usually become involved where a motorist is unable to get access to his property from the road. They will however usually take action where the motorist is unable to move their vehicle from the property (for example from the garage or drive onto the road).

The DVLA supplies the majority of the information regarding vehicle ownership. The misspelling of a name and address on a NtO does not invalidate it nor does it discharge the liability of the person receiving it. The onus is still on the genuine owner to deal with the matter.      

Vehicles can sometimes be exempt from particular restrictions at particular times and in particular circumstances, but no vehicle is completely exempt.             

If the motorist leaves the vehicle they have parked, even if it appears that they will return shortly (passengers in car, door open, lights flashing) they are deemed to have parked.             

If a motorist is parked illegally but is sat in the driver’s seat they will be asked to move, and will be issued with a PCN if they refuse.             

A motorist going to purchase a fee ticket from a pay and display machine, or collect a visitor’s permit from the person they are visiting is exempt. A motorist going to get change is not.              

Emergency vehicles are only exempt when carrying out duties, not in other circumstances.              

Vehicles used for utilities (water, gas, phone, cable, TV), building, funerals and weddings are exempt from the restrictions provided the following 2 conditions are met:              

• the vehicle is in use for this purpose
• parking in contravention of the restrictions is necessary rather than just convenient for example, a scaffolding truck or a glazier fitting a large glass panel will need to park adjacent to the building and so they will be exempt. The building foreman could easily park legally and walk so will not be exempt.

Council vehicles will be treated in exactly the same way as any other vehicles. Evidence from a third party must be supplied by the motorist. If the motorist states that further information will prove his / her case then it is their responsibility to provide it.              

Testimony from friends, relatives or employers will not normally be considered sufficient evidence to cancel a PCN without verifiable documentary evidence.     

• residents parking zones
• double or single yellow lines
• pay and display bays

Parking is permitted for loading and unloading in these bays. The parking of the vehicle to do so must be necessary and not simply convenient (such as if they are delivering or collecting an item too large for them to carry). 

There are loading restrictions in place that prohibit parking even for loading when this would cause traffic flow problems, for example during peak traffic periods and in bus lanes.              

They are shown by yellow markings on the kerb. The restricted hours are shown by a sign. No loading areas are only put in place in areas where traffic flow is particularly important and there are no exceptions to these restrictions.              

Please note that these exemptions only apply while the loading and unloading is ongoing. The signing of delivery notes is considered to be part of the loading process and is also exempt. Once that has finished the exemption ends and a PCN will be issued. When the motorist has finished loading or unloading, they should move their vehicle or pay the applicable charge for parking.

None of the blue badge exemptions apply unless the holder is present in the vehicle. If there is reason to believe that this is not the case CEOs will issue a PCN (for example if another person is seen getting out of the vehicle with no sign of the badge holder present). Blue badge holders can:             

• park for free at an on-street pay and display bay
• park for up to three hours on yellow lines providing they also display a time clock displaying the time of arrival
• park in time restricted bays for as long as they like 
• are allowed 2 weeks to renew an expired badge
• all other restrictions apply.

If the fee ticket is not displayed properly (for example upside down) but details can still be seen the CEOs do not issue PCN.              

If the details can’t be seen, the CEOs will issue a PCN              

If the motorist subsequently provides proof that they held a valid permit, blue badge or pay and display ticket the PCN will be cancelled in the first instance only. Subsequent PCNs will be pursued.

If a motorist returns to their vehicle this is irrelevant to the issue of the PCN. The contravention still applies because they left their car so they are deemed to have parked.              

Sometimes it may become apparent to the CEO once the PCN has been issued that it was issued incorrectly (for example, the motorist returns and has clearly been loading). As the CEO cannot void or cancel any PCN, they make notes in their pocket book and advise the motorist to write in. 

If the CEO starts to issue the PCN to a vehicle but does not have enough time to serve it before the vehicle is driven away, the PCN is deemed to have been issued and will be served by post on the owner/registered keeper (whose identity is obtained from the DVLA), and also acts as the Notice to Owner.

The following vehicles are exempted from the regulations in all circumstances, provided that they are being used for their proper purpose, and for as long as reasonably necessary:              

• vehicles being used for fire brigade, police or ambulance purposes

The following vehicles are exempted in the circumstances shown below. However, in all cases there should be evidence that the exempted activity is taking place and that the vehicle concerned is actively engaged in this activity. If no exempted activity was seen to be taking place by the CEO, the PCN will be upheld on the basis that the CEO observed the vehicle for a reasonable length of time and saw no indication to suggest that the activity was taking place.

• vehicles being used for the removal of any obstruction to traffic

Generally, post office vans being used for the delivery or collection of mail and parcels are exempt from the parking restrictions for as long as they are being used for this purpose.             

If a PCN is issued and an exemption is claimed, the request must be accompanied by a letter from the post office, on headed paper, confirming this.             

Royal Mail vehicles, like other vehicles, are not exempt from parking on school zigzags and crossings.              

This exemption also applies to vehicles which do not belong to the Royal Mail, but are being used by a universal postal service provider, such as other carriers who are licensed to collect and deliver post and parcels.

The hearse and any other funeral vehicles are exempt when actively involved in a funeral. Any other vehicles used by mourners are not. Dispensations should be applied for as part of the arrangements for the event.

An exemption will apply, providing the CEO is satisfied that glazing is taking place. In the absence of evidence a PCN will be issued. If it is subsequently proved that glazing was taking place, the PCN will be cancelled provided that documentary proof of the date, time and address of the work is received. 

Secure cash vans are occasionally required to be parked in close proximity to the premises where cash is being delivered or picked up, for safety reasons.              

Security vans delivering other ‘lower priority’ items, such as recorded mail, should usually park in accordance with the regulations although this may not always be possible.             

PCNs issued to security vans will only be cancelled if suitable proof is provided by the security company.

There are other exemptions in the TROs that apply to any vehicle in particular circumstances. These are:             

• where the motorist is prevented from circumstances beyond his control from moving the vehicle. (This covers a vehicle breakdown, but may cover other circumstances too – each case will need to be assessed on its own merits)
• where the vehicle needs to wait in order to avoid an accident
• where the vehicle is parked to enable someone to get in or out. This is usually limited to 2 minutes except where the person getting in/out of the vehicle needs longer, such as if they are elderly or disabled. In these circumstances the vehicle may wait for as long as is necessary
• where the vehicle is being used for loading and unloading

Generally, if a motorist receives a PCN and is claiming an exemption from the regulations, the burden of proof rests with the motorist and they should be able to produce evidence that supports their claim. If this can be done, the PCN is cancelled.              

However, it is not always possible for a motorist to produce proof and each case is considered on its own merits.

If a PCN is issued to a foreign motorist who is borrowing or hiring a british- registered vehicle, the PCN will be enforced and the owner advised that he is ultimately responsible for the penalty, as liability rests with the vehicle owner rather than the motorist. 

If the delay is related to any medical or emergency situation such as sudden sickness, difficulties in walking due to disability, stopping to assist in an emergency situation and any other such cases, a degree of leniency is exercised. 

Cases involving the hospital, doctor’s visits with sick children and delays due to sudden illness are treated with leniency. It is usually appropriate for us to consider the length of the delay.   

An emergency is an unforeseen situation, which prevents a motorist from moving his/her vehicle. They are usually of a medical nature and leniency is exercised where it is felt that the motorist could not have foreseen the situation and/or had no chance to return to the vehicle.             

It is useful to remember that there is an exemption for motorists who were unable to move their vehicle due to ‘circumstances beyond their control’, and to consider whether or not the circumstances fall into that category.             

Where a driver makes a claim for cancellation on the grounds that either he/she or a passenger is taken ill or injured in any way, proof is requested in the form of a letter from the GP. If the letter does not cover the date of the PCN, or it relates to a pre-arranged doctor’s visit, the PCN will not be cancelled. There may also be cases where it is clear from the proof submitted that the motorist has been advised not to drive, and if this is the case, the PCN will be upheld.             

Urgent toilet visits will not normally permit cancellation of a PCN unless mitigating medical circumstances applied or the motorist appeals on the grounds that they suffer from Crohns disease and hold a “Can’t wait” membership card.    

The Crohn’s and Colitis UK, Leeds and District Group Can’t Wait Card Campaign, with the support of the council was launched in March 2013.              

This provided an exemption for card holders who on occasions may need to park in a hurry to find and use toilet facilities and may not always be possible to park legally. In these circumstances the council has agreed to cancel any PCN’s that are issued. This applies to all parking restrictions except:             

• disabled bays
• no loading areas
• zig zags near schools and crossings

All other restrictions such as standard yellow lines and pay and display bays are covered. The exemption applies for up to 15 minutes. It only applies in emergencies and PCN’s should not be cancelled if a vehicle is parked for longer than necessary or if the parking is for another purpose.

Motorcycle bays are not mandatory bays – they are an exemption to the waiting/loading restrictions in a restricted street, which apply to solo motorcycles only. In view of this, any other vehicle can be issued with a PCN for the contravention of parking in a restricted street during prescribed hours.              

However, CEOs will probably issue a PCN for the contravention of being parked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicle.             

A motorcycle bay is indicated by white markings on the carriageway with the words ‘Solo Motorcycles’.

Any PCN issued on a bank holiday is upheld, unless it falls into the normal criteria for cancellation. Prior to making a decision, the service instructions for each bank holiday are checked.

If a vehicle is parked more than 50 cm from the edge of the carriageway and is not within a designated parking place then it is considered to be double parked and in contravention of the parking regulations. Discretion will be given in proven cases of emergency. The vehicle should not cause danger or obstruction to other road users. 

Motorists are not given time to obtain change when they park, they are only given time to purchase a fee ticket.

Notes in vehicles will not necessarily be accepted by appeals officers, unless it refers to a dispensation that has been pre-authorised by parking services or there are other extenuating circumstances that can be independently verified to deem the note as wholly relevant in deciding the appeal.             

All notes in vehicles are noted down by CEOs in their pocket books when they issue to PCN. If we receive an appeal the appeals officer will then use their discretion in deciding the matter.

Usually, pregnancy is not considered to be a disability and delays caused by young children would not normally allow for cancellation of a PCN.             

However, each case is treated on its own merits. If for example, the delay is short and unavoidable, or was caused by a minor medical emergency (child being sick, pregnant mother feeling unwell), the PCN will be cancelled after proof of the pregnancy from the GP or hospital is provided.             

Appeals officers bear in mind that there is an exemption in the TROs which relates to unavoidable circumstances which prevented the motorist from removing the vehicle, and will consider whether or not the situation described falls into this category or not. Even if it does not, discretion can be used to cancel the PCN. 

Where the motorist claims that he was not in the exact location shown on the PCN, if the CEO has made clear notes on the hand held computer and in his pocket-book, the PCN will be enforced.

Unless there are other mitigating circumstances, the PCN will be enforced. However, in circumstances where the motorist has used a nearby machine and the time period purchased does not exceed the maximum time period at the bay in which the motorist actually parked, the PCN will be cancelled. In these cases, the motorist has paid to park legally and the council has suffered no financial loss.        

Generally, any instance where the motorist has made a mistake in where to park does not in itself justify cancellation of the PCN.

If a fee ticket machine is not working properly, you will need to use PayByPhone. Details of how to pay through PayByPhone are available on the ticket machine.

A residents permit is not transferable and cannot be used in any other vehicle. If a permit holder changes his vehicle or uses a different vehicle for a short period of time, he must either make arrangements to obtain a replacement permit or use a visitor’s permit.

If a PCN is issued whilst a replacement permit is being obtained, or if the applicant has failed to notify us, it should be upheld.  

Leniency should be exercised on the first occasion where a mistake is made, eg use of the permit in the wrong bay, unless it is suspected that the permit has been deliberately altered or is being re-used. Only one visitors permit per property is issued. These are not transferable between zones. 

There are occasions when certain business properties may be considered to be within the boundary of the zone. Such businesses may be allowed to apply for a limited number of business permits (up to a maximum of 3 per business property).        

The permits can be used by the business to park vehicles within the zone to enable the effective running of the business. These are not transferable between zones.       

Contract permits allow motorists to park in council-owned car parks and are renewable quarterly or annually. 

In Leeds the NHS are allowed to apply for permits for their key workers and service providers who have to park regularly in residents zones to visit clients as part of their job. These are usually midwives, health visitors, district nurses, doctors etc. Such permits are transferable between zones.        

Other key service providers are also allowed to apply for permits to park in residents zones in order to visit clients as part of their job. These may include local authority workers such as Social Services, DSS etc. The permits are also transferable.    

All applications for residents permits should be checked to make sure that a resident is applying and not the owner of the property (ie landlord). All permits are to be used for the purpose they are designed for and any misuse can result in the issue of a PCN and the ultimate withdrawal of the permit facility for the individual or organisation.         

Landlords who are members of Leeds Landlords Accreditation Scheme (LLAS) may be entitled to a small number of parking permits to help them park at the properties they own or manage within residents only parking zones. 

Where details of the officer’s name or number are given, confirmation will be sought before the PCN is cancelled.        

Where any doubt exists, the benefit of the doubt should be given to the motorist in the first case only.        

Where no details are given by the motorist, the PCN will not be cancelled and the motorist will be advised that further details are needed in order to justify cancellation.

There are two types of waiting restriction:

1. single yellow line – no waiting for at least 8 hours between 7am and 7pm on four or more days of the week. If no days are shown on the sign, the regulations are in force during the times that the CPZ is operational. Outside the CPZ, each restriction will be signed with the times of operation.
2. double yellow lines - no waiting at any time.

Loading restrictions are always placed in conjunction with yellow lines and are represented by markings on the kerb, and again there are two types –         

1. Two kerb markings – no loading at any time.
2. One kerb marking – no loading during the times shown on the sign.

Generally, the hours of operation of the waiting and the loading restrictions will correspond.

Usually 24 hours a day, every day in Leeds whether or not within a CPZ. The exact hours of control should be checked on an individual bay basis when dealing with queries and complaints.     

If these are included in the TROs in Leeds they are enforceable by CEOs. They can also be enforced by the Police whose penalty would take priority. If they are not included in the TROs then any obstruction queries will become a police matter.     

Usually 7am to 7pm, any day of the week, but it does vary and therefore the signs and line markings should be referred to.      

If the waiting or loading restrictions are in force at the same times as the rest of the CPZ, the times of control are shown on the zone entry sign and there is no need for any additional signs to be in place above each stretch of yellow line, unless additional restrictions apply. There is also no need for signs above double yellow lines as these are understood to be in force at any time. In practice, many yellow lines are signed, but it is important to note that the absence of these in a CPZ will not lead to cancellation of a PCN.        

If motorists claim that there was no sign and the restrictions require that a sign be in place, a site inspection will be arranged to check on the allegation. If there is no sign on the same side of the road as the yellow line, the PCN will be cancelled and arrangements made for the correct sign to be installed.        

Where yellow lines or kerb markings have been partly worn away or covered in part by re-surfacing, enforcement action can be taken depending on how much of the line is visible and whether it is considered reasonable for the motorist to know that a line was there.         

Where yellow lines are obscured by snow, leaves etc, enforcement action may also be taken, although leniency may be judged appropriate.         

If time plates are damaged or defective, providing that their meaning is clear, enforcement action will be taken.        

Where there is no yellow line beneath any part of the vehicle or where, outside a CPZ, there is no time plate in the vicinity of the vehicle, setting out the restrictions in force, no enforcement action for the restricted street offence may be taken. 

There should be a sign above every parking place (bay or group of bays), which gives details of who the bay is available to (resident or business permit holders and/or visitors displaying permits or using pay and display machines).         

Most bays also give details of the hours and days of control. In all cases where it is alleged that a time plate is missing, a site check will be arranged. If the check confirms that there is no sign, the PCN will be cancelled and arrangements made for the problem to be rectified.        

Please note that there is no requirement for a sign to be above metered parking bays as the information required is already given on the meter itself.        

Claims that the motorist did not realise where he/she had parked or used the wrong type of bay will not be allowed.        

Similarly, if road markings are missing or shown to be incorrect, the PCN will be cancelled and arrangements made for rectification.

It is not necessary for additional signs to be placed above pay and display bays. Instructions for use are on the front of the machine itself (the side facing the pavement) whilst each machine also has a clearly visible ‘P’ sign that can be seen from the road.        

Claims that a motorist did not realise there was a machine in the bays will not be allowed unless there are other circumstances that need to be taken into consideration.        

In car parks, the legal position is that the restrictions must be clearly indicated - it does not matter about the size or shape as long as we can demonstrate that they are clear. However there are rules about the sizes of signs on public highways.     

If the time plate is shown to exist, but was temporarily or partly obscured each case will be considered on its own merits, depending on the degree of obscurity and whether the relevant details could still be seen.        

Adjudicators have accepted that the absence of the ‘T’ Bar does not always mean that the restriction cannot be enforced, as long as it is clear where the yellow line applies.

A claim that a sign was not visible will be referred for inspection. If it is proved to be the case then the PCN will be cancelled, unless there are sufficient alternative signs in the area.
 

The school markings which do not permit parking during term time are there for the safety of children. Parents dropping off or picking up children should not park on the school markings.        

In Leeds, many school markings do not form part of any TRO and are therefore unenforceable by the council. However, those that are will be enforced by the council.         

If vehicles parked on the school markings are deemed an obstruction then the police would be responsible for any enforcement.         

It is also important to note that a school’s own vehicles are not permitted to park on the school zigzag markings regardless of whether or not they are being used to pick up or drop off children.        

The school should ideally inform parents and visitors not to park on the school markings and emphasise the importance of not doing so in the interest of the safety of children.

If the vehicle was parked at a location without prior notification of the impending suspension being received, if the claim can be proven the PCN will be cancelled, providing that the vehicle was displaying a permit or a pay and display ticket that would have allowed parking had the suspension not been in force.

Where a motorist can show that he was away from home and could not have had any knowledge of the impending suspension, PCNs will be cancelled. Suitable evidence should be requested, such as air or train tickets.        

Suspension of a parking place applies in law for the full 24 hours a day. However, unless the purpose of the suspension extends beyond the controlled hours, ie furniture removals, security, building works, etc, vehicles are normally only dealt with during the hours of enforcement.        

The council can make a charge for suspensions and dispensations.   

When a machine is suspended it is covered with a sign that makes it clear that a vehicle should not park in that place.        

The CEO will leave a note on the vehicle telling the motorist that the vehicle may park until the time has expired, but that then the car should be moved.        

A PCN issued to a vehicle parked at a suspended machine will be enforced unless it can be shown that a vehicle was parked before a bay was suspended then an exemption should apply. The CEO responsible for coning / signing the suspension should note any vehicles in the bay at the time so that this can be established.         

Suspensions enable vehicles connected with commercial activities to park on pay and display bays, throughout the Special Enforcement Area (SEA), on-street and in car parks for longer than the permitted hours. They are chargeable on a per bay per day basis.         

Suspensions are not chargeable on Sundays, but permission from parking services will still need to be obtained to have the bays suspended.        

Unless the contractor indicates that he will provide his own cones, the parking services enforcement team is responsible for placing cones in the suspended bays each morning.        

Arrangements for large scale suspensions eg for the purposes of filming, should be passed to the project officer for events & maintenance for his approval and pricing. 

In cases where residents claim that a parking bay was suspended whilst they were on holiday and therefore, they could not move the vehicle, evidence is usually required.        

The evidence is in the form of the following:        

• A flight ticket
• A letter from a tour operator
• A copy of the hotel bill

The dates of the suspension and the times at which prior notice was circulated will be checked and if the details do not match or the appropriate evidence cannot be provided, the PCN will be upheld.

These are licensed and permitted to ply for hire in the street. They may be black cabs (Hackney carriages) or saloon cars or people carriers and they display a ‘taxi’ sign.        

Private hire vehicles can only handle pre-arranged pick-ups. These are often called private hire vehicles.  

There are no general exemptions for taxis and minicabs with regard to parking.

An emergency is considered to last only as long as it takes to turn off the mains supply, whether gas, water or electricity. The vehicle should then be moved to a permitted parking place before any subsequent repairs are performed.        

PCNs issued in these circumstances are treated on their merits, however, generally they are upheld unless there is evidence of the activity taking place at the time of the contravention.
 

Claims that the vehicle had to be parked close to the emergency as it was carrying heavy equipment, should be dealt with as delivery and collection/loading and unloading.        

However, further consideration should be given to pump-out situations, where the pump-out equipment needs to be connected to a generator in the vehicle.

This scheme is to enable parking within a residents only permit zone, during hours that the zone is in operation where parking can only be undertaken by a vehicle displaying a valid residents or visitors or business permit. If a vehicle is not displaying a valid permit then it could incur a PCN.        

Most contractors should have access to the residents’ own visitor permit, but there will be times when the property being worked on may be empty. In those cases the contractor will have to seek permission from parking services to park within the zone without displaying a valid permit. 
 

A tradesman’s permission allows trades people to park in an residents only permit zone while they carry out work at an address in the zone. The scheme is not for landlords unless they can demonstrate that they are the undertaking the work to the property. Please also see Landlords section.        

It is recognised that some companies will require more than one vehicle so the charge is per company rather than per vehicle.        

The council is entitled to charge for certain dispensations but, where the trades person requires less than two hours of parking time, this will be free of charge. However, details are still taken and the CEOs advised accordingly.        

Stays of longer than two hours under this scheme are charged on daily / weekly basis. Full details must be received by fax on letter headed paper and paid for in advance before commencement of the permission.

Any claim that an individual or company had been adjudged bankrupt or gone into liquidation must be supported by appropriate documentation. 

A claim should be sent to the liquidator advising them how much the debt is for and providing proof of the debt (a copy of the Notice to Owner). The council can only ask for the amount shown on the Notice to Owner.         

The PCN is then put on an indefinite hold until a creditor meeting has taken place and further information is received from the liquidator.