Parking Ticket Fines 2026: How Much Is a PCN in London, England, Scotland and Wales?
PCN amounts in 2026: London Band A (£130/£65) and Band B (£80/£40), England, Scotland and Wales. Tables and discount rules.
Parking ticket fine amounts vary by location and contravention type. In London, penalty levels were increased in April 2025: Band A (higher level) is £130, or £65 if paid within 14 days; Band B (lower level) is £80, or £40 if paid within 14 days. Outside London, councils set their own levels within national bands under the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (England) General Regulations 2022. Scotland and Wales have separate frameworks. Private parking charges are contract-based and typically £60 to £100, with a discount for early payment.
This guide sets out PCN amounts for 2026 across London, England, Scotland, and Wales, with a clear table and discount rules.
How Much Is a Council PCN in London in 2026?
London councils (and TfL for the Congestion Charge, ULEZ, and LEZ) use two bands. From April 2025, Band A (higher level contraventions, e.g. parking in a disabled bay, bus lane offences) is £130 full amount, or £65 if paid within 14 days. Band B (lower level, e.g. overstaying in a pay-and-display bay) is £80 full amount, or £40 if paid within 14 days. The 14-day discount applies from the date of the PCN. If you challenge the PCN, the discount is usually put on hold until your challenge is decided. See [how to appeal a council PCN](/blog/how-to-appeal-council-pcn) for the process.
How Much Is a PCN in the Rest of England?
Outside London, councils set PCN levels within the ranges set by the Secretary of State. Higher level contraventions are typically £70 (or £35 if paid within 14 days); lower level are typically £50 (or £25 within 14 days). Some areas use different amounts. Check the PCN itself and your council’s website for the exact figures. The 50% discount for payment within 14 days is standard across England. The Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (England) General Regulations 2022 set out the procedure and discount rules.
What About Scotland and Wales?
In Scotland, parking enforcement is decriminalised in many areas; councils issue Penalty Charge Notices. Amounts are set by the relevant authority and are often in a similar range to England (e.g. £60 to £80 for higher level, with a discount for early payment). In Wales, councils also set their own levels; typical amounts are in the £50 to £70 range for lower level and £70 to £90 for higher level, again with early payment discounts. Always check the notice for the exact amount and deadline.
PCN Amounts Table (2026)
| Area | Higher level (Band A type) | Lower level (Band B type) | Discount (within 14 days) |
|------|----------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| London (from Apr 2025) | £130 | £80 | 50% (£65 / £40) |
| England (outside London) | Typically £70 | Typically £50 | 50% (£35 / £25) |
| Scotland | Varies by council | Varies by council | Often 50% |
| Wales | Varies by council | Varies by council | Often 50% |
Private parking charges are not set by law; they are set by the operator. Common amounts are £60 to £100, with a lower amount (e.g. £40 to £60) if paid within 14 days. See [private parking appeal](/blog/how-to-appeal-private-parking-ticket-2026-popla-ias) for how to challenge them.
What Happens If I Don’t Pay Within 14 Days?
If you do not pay within the discount period, the full amount becomes due. If you then ignore the PCN, the council can issue a Charge Certificate (often increasing the amount by 50%), then register the debt and use bailiffs. See [what happens if you ignore a parking ticket](/blog/what-happens-if-you-ignore-parking-ticket) for the escalation process.
GL Appeal can generate a personalised appeal letter for your case in minutes. Upload or describe your ticket at appeal.golitigo.ai and get your appeal started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the London Band A increase in force in 2026?
Yes. The increase to £130/£65 (Band A) and £80/£40 (Band B) took effect in April 2025 and applies in 2026.
Do I lose the discount if I challenge the PCN?
Usually the discount is extended until your challenge is decided. If the council rejects your challenge, they will often give you a further 14 days to pay at the discounted rate. Check the wording on the notice and any rejection letter.
Are private parking charges the same as council fines?
No. Private parking charges are invoices under contract law, not statutory fines. The amounts are set by the operator. Councils’ PCN amounts are set by law or regulation.
Can the amount go up after 14 days?
The discounted amount is only available within the stated period (usually 14 days). After that, the full amount is due. If you do not pay at all, the Charge Certificate can add 50% to the amount.
Where do London bands come from?
London penalty levels are set under the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003 and related orders. The April 2025 increase applies to all London boroughs and TfL (Congestion Charge, ULEZ, LEZ).
What if I cannot afford to pay the full amount?
Contact the council as soon as possible. Some councils offer payment plans. If you have grounds to challenge the PCN, appeal first; if you win, you pay nothing.
Ready to appeal?
GL Appeal generates a professional, legally-grounded appeal letter tailored to your case. £9.99 per appeal. Use code GOLITIGOFREE for a free appeal.
Start your free appeal →