Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Original poster

Council PCN- wrong reg

16 replies

What2do22 · 25/10/2025 15:25

Hello,

I parked at a council car park this morning, it’s free but drivers have to register their details at a ticketless machine. I did that, it went through and then I left the car park. I came back to a PCN, however the first letter of the reg on the ticket is wrong. I’m assuming the warden typed it in wrong, saw that reg didn’t get a ticket and then issued a fine. I’m guessing I don’t have to pay seeing as any chasers will go to the address where that reg is (assuming it even exists)?

thank you

OP posts:
maybethisyear · 25/10/2025 15:44

Hmm
Maybe look at FB groups relating to PCN's? They are very switched on there to the legalities of such things.

But if they issue tickets to folk who have accidentally put 1 digit wrong on the keypad when buying a ticket, it feels like you shouldn't have to pay if they make a similar mistake.

BananaramaDefence · 25/10/2025 15:46

If its a council ticket then they can't do anything.

Lotusflowers83 · 25/10/2025 23:55

I used to deal with PCN for local authority. If the reg is wrong then your PCN is void.

Chiseltip · 29/10/2025 01:15

Be careful with this one..

Could you have made a mistake when putting your registration in the machine?

The warden then issues a ticket as you haven't complied with the terms..

They made a mistake when filling out the ticket, however, they may still have recorded your correct number on their system. So you may have actually been issued a legitimate fine.

A minor mistake with the registration number would be irrelevant in that case.

Chiseltip · 29/10/2025 01:16

BananaramaDefence · 25/10/2025 15:46

If its a council ticket then they can't do anything.

This is wrong.

BagBitch · 29/10/2025 01:23

This happened to me before twice in one week when I had a hire car. I mistakenly entered O rather than 0 for example when pay for a ticket. When i realised why I was getting the tickets They gave me grace on one ticket put I had to pay the other.

Lotusflowers83 · 29/10/2025 08:25

Chiseltip · 29/10/2025 01:15

Be careful with this one..

Could you have made a mistake when putting your registration in the machine?

The warden then issues a ticket as you haven't complied with the terms..

They made a mistake when filling out the ticket, however, they may still have recorded your correct number on their system. So you may have actually been issued a legitimate fine.

A minor mistake with the registration number would be irrelevant in that case.

Edited

That’s so incorrect. If the traffic warden enter the reg incorrectly to the PCN then that PCN become invalid. When a person processing PCN looking at the PCN, they will have to cross check photo evidence of the car and photo of the car reg. They normally cancel the ticket if they spot the reg was input incorrectly anyway ( We did where I worked). Call the Council that issue the PCN or challenge your ticket online and they will cancel that PCN for you.

PS: PCN can’t be re issue.

Chiseltip · 29/10/2025 09:42

Lotusflowers83 · 29/10/2025 08:25

That’s so incorrect. If the traffic warden enter the reg incorrectly to the PCN then that PCN become invalid. When a person processing PCN looking at the PCN, they will have to cross check photo evidence of the car and photo of the car reg. They normally cancel the ticket if they spot the reg was input incorrectly anyway ( We did where I worked). Call the Council that issue the PCN or challenge your ticket online and they will cancel that PCN for you.

PS: PCN can’t be re issue.

Show quote history

Legally, they don't have to.

If the keeper of the vehicle actually recieves the PNC, then they haven't suffered any detrement by the original ticket having an incorrect digit.

Even if the incorrect registration number was used in the correspondence sent to the registered keeper. This could still be accepted by a court, and has been in many cases. Minor administration errors don't invalidate cases.

Bjorkdidit · 29/10/2025 10:02

It's likely they have ANPR cameras so you'll get a letter because they have evidence that your car parked without an associated ticket being purchased.

However, you can appeal this and the ticket will be cancelled as long as you can prove you did pay and there was a mistake. DP once went somewhere in my car but entered the registration of his car on the machine. When I got the fine, we worked out what had happened, I sent in an explanation and the fine was cancelled.

Original poster
What2do22 · 29/10/2025 10:26

Bjorkdidit · 29/10/2025 10:02

It's likely they have ANPR cameras so you'll get a letter because they have evidence that your car parked without an associated ticket being purchased.

However, you can appeal this and the ticket will be cancelled as long as you can prove you did pay and there was a mistake. DP once went somewhere in my car but entered the registration of his car on the machine. When I got the fine, we worked out what had happened, I sent in an explanation and the fine was cancelled.

I did put my reg into the machine to register my car, so shouldn’t have been issued a ticket. The warden made the mistake when he put B instead of D into his machine to check.

OP posts:
yikesanotherbooboo · 29/10/2025 10:27

I have appealed tickets .It is quite easy to do and even for my mistakes eg wrong reg or on another occasion wrong car park code have been given grace on the fine. I would appeal, they are likely to have a photo and if it’s not your fault they will let you off. If it is your fault and you can prove you have pause , albeit with incorrect information in some way you may also be reprieved.

Original poster
What2do22 · 29/10/2025 10:29

Chiseltip · 29/10/2025 01:15

Be careful with this one..

Could you have made a mistake when putting your registration in the machine?

The warden then issues a ticket as you haven't complied with the terms..

They made a mistake when filling out the ticket, however, they may still have recorded your correct number on their system. So you may have actually been issued a legitimate fine.

A minor mistake with the registration number would be irrelevant in that case.

Edited

I put the reg in correctly, but it was a ticketless machine so I don’t have a record. The warden then entered a B instead of a D into his machine when checking if the car was registered, and so he issued an incorrect ticket. If he had done it correctly he’d have no reason to issue a ticket.

OP posts:
Chiseltip · 29/10/2025 10:40

What2do22 · 29/10/2025 10:29

I put the reg in correctly, but it was a ticketless machine so I don’t have a record. The warden then entered a B instead of a D into his machine when checking if the car was registered, and so he issued an incorrect ticket. If he had done it correctly he’d have no reason to issue a ticket.

Show quote history

Appeal the ticket, but if you receive any correspondence don't ignore it. The scenario I mentioned could have actually happened.

endofagain · 29/10/2025 10:44

I always photograph my reg number on the machine screen.
If I have to display a ticket I photograph that too.
It is ridiculous but, IMO, necessary.
It is so difficult to appeal parking tickets and fines - especially from private companies. The council ones are not too bad if you have evidence.

Screwyoucolin · 29/10/2025 10:48

Bjorkdidit · 29/10/2025 10:02

It's likely they have ANPR cameras so you'll get a letter because they have evidence that your car parked without an associated ticket being purchased.

However, you can appeal this and the ticket will be cancelled as long as you can prove you did pay and there was a mistake. DP once went somewhere in my car but entered the registration of his car on the machine. When I got the fine, we worked out what had happened, I sent in an explanation and the fine was cancelled.

Did you actually read the OP?

OP did not need a ticket nor did she need to pay.

1987qwerty · 01/11/2025 20:15

So many people not reading op properly.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page