LTDA warns cabbies to deal with penalty charge notices early to avoid spiralling costs
- Perry Richardson
- Sep 22
- 2 min read
A Senior Representative of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), has urged drivers to pay or appeal penalty charge notices (PCNs) promptly to prevent small fines escalating into severe financial problems.
In Sam Houston’s regular TAXI Magazine column, Houston reminded members that PCNs are now a common occupational hazard for London cabbies, but they must be managed responsibly. “If you get a ticket and you know you’re ‘bang to rights’ then do not let it escalate,” he wrote.
Houston explained that although appeals are a valid option, the discounted rate is usually frozen while the appeal is considered. This means there is no financial loss in challenging a ticket if a driver believes there is grounds to do so. However, once an appeal is rejected, there is only a limited window to settle at the lower rate. “Keep a close eye on your post and emails, including junk mail, because if the appeal is rejected you will normally only have 14 days to pay at the lower level,” he advised.
The LTDA often encounters members who allow cases to progress unnecessarily, leading to inflated costs. “At the LTDA we see members every day who have had demands for £250 or more, some even going so far as to have their vehicle seized by bailiffs which will normally cost more than £500 to get back,” Houston warned.
He also cautioned against the common misconception that ignoring a PCN can make it disappear. “A lot of people seem to be under the impression that if you keep claiming you didn’t receive the ticket then they can’t make you pay, but this is incorrect. In certain circumstances you may be able to make a statutory declaration that you didn’t receive the PCN but this is not guaranteed to be accepted, and authorities invariably reissue the PCN anyway.”
Houston emphasised that paying on time or appealing swiftly remains the best course of action. “Members spend a lot of time and effort dealing with overdue fines that would not have happened if they had appealed or paid in good time,” he said. He also reminded drivers that they must ensure reliable postal deliveries. “If there is a problem with your post then as a licensee it’s in your interest to make sure you are receiving regular deliveries as you will end up missing something important, be it a PCN or something to do with your licence itself.”
The Senior Rep clarified that his advice applies to PCNs issued by local authorities or Transport for London. Private land ‘Parking Charge Notices’, he said, are different. These are treated as invoices for a breach of contract and often lead to enforcement attempts through the County Court.
