Glossary of terms

Charge certificate (CC)

A charge certificate is issued:

  1. A minimum of 28 days after a notice to owner (NtO) is issued and no formal representation received.
  2. 28 days after a notice of rejection to a formal representation is sent where no appeal has been made to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
  3. A minimum of 14 days after any appeal to the TPT is withdrawn (ie withdrawn before hearing)
  4. 28 days after a rejection of appeal by TPT

When a charge certificate is issued, the amount of the penalty is increased by 50%. It's sent to the registered keeper, requiring payment within 14 days of the full increased amount.

Civil enforcement officer (CEO)

As defined by the Traffic Management Act 2004.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

An executive agency of the Department for Transport with the primary aims of facilitating road safety and general law enforcement by maintaining registers of drivers and vehicles, and to collect vehicle excise duty (car tax).

Notice of registration (NoR)

Once the debt has been registered at the Traffic Enforcement Centre, an order for recovery and witness statement form is sent to the debtor advising that they have 21 days in which to pay the amount owed, or make a witness statement. Failure to do either will lead to a warrant of execution being applied for by Shropshire Parking Service at the Traffic Enforcement Centre. Once issued, this will enable an instruction to civil recovery agents (bailiffs) to collect the debt on their behalf.

Notice to owner (NtO)

If a PCN remains unpaid for over 28 days from the issue date Shropshire Parking Service will request details of the registered keeper from the DVLA. An NtO will then be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle requesting payment, or allowing the opportunity to make a formal representation against the PCN. All enquiries to DVLA are made under licence, and adhere to strict data protection guidelines.

Penalty charge notice (PCN)

Defined by the Traffic Management Act 2004. Issued for contraventions of parking regulations.

Suspension

Stops vehicles parking in limited waiting and pay and display parking bays for a specific reason, such as to allow furniture removal. Signs and cones will be used to show that a bay is suspended.

Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC)

Part of Her Majesty’s Court Service at Northampton County Court. Set up specifically to deal with the registration of civil debts from unpaid PCNs and congestion charge payments within England and Wales.

Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA)

Traffic Management Act 2004, Part 6 (TMA)

Part of the act of parliament relating to the civil enforcement of parking contraventions.

Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT)

A tribunal service to deal with appeals against PCNs. This service is independent of local authorities.

Waiver

Formal permission to park on a restriction for a specific reason, such as for building work on an adjacent property.

Warrant of execution

Document allowing appointed certified civil recovery agents (bailiffs) to seize goods to the value of the debt owed. The debt will include further charges incurred during the course of recovery.