Wrong VRM on PCN Options

[Joe R]

Last night I got myself a pcn. Before I start loading photo's and getting the ball rolling, I thought I'd ask about the wrong VRM on the pcn.

Where do I stand with this?

Am I to assume the pcn wasn't for my vehicle or do they rely on photographic evidence?

Thanks
Joe

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[makara]

I assume it renders the PCN invalid (I had one where the street name was misspelt recently) - wait for others to confirm though.

How did you receive the PCN? On the windscreen? Or through the post?

[nextdoor]

Wrong VRM is fatal. As long as it's not '0' instead of 'O' or 'I' instead of '1'

You could do nothing, in which case the innocent owner of the pcn's VRM will receive an NtO will have the aggravation of dealing with
something he knows nothing about.

Or you can write to the council, enclosing a copy of the pcn, saying this was found on your car and does not relate to any vehicle that you have ever owned.

They cannot issue another corrected pcn and will cancel it.

Keep the pcn safe

This post has been edited by nextdoor: Sat, 3 Feb 2018 - 13:53

[Joe R]

Thanks for the prompt replies!

I assume it renders the PCN invalid (I had one where the street name was misspelt recently) - wait for others to confirm though.

How did you receive the PCN? On the windscreen? Or through the post?

It was a windscreen job

Wrong VRM is fatal. As long as it's not '0' instead of 'O' or 'I' instead of '1'

You could do nothing, in which case the innocent owner of the pcn's VRM will receive an NtO will have the aggravation of dealing with
something he knows nothing about.

Or you can write to the council, enclosing a copy of the pcn, saying this was found on your car and does not relate to any vehicle that you have ever owned.

They cannot issue another corrected pcn and will cancel it.

Keep the pcn safe

The correct number is 62 and the pcn clearly states 63

[nextdoor]

You can check here:
https://ownvehicle.askmid.com/

to see whether a vehicle exists with that VRM.

IF not, you can safely do nothing, since there won't be a reg keepers name and address for the council to send an Nto to.

But make sure you don't lose the pcn, just in case the council are stupid enough to send you an NtO with the correct reg.

This post has been edited by nextdoor: Sat, 3 Feb 2018 - 14:17

[Joe R]

You can check here:
https://ownvehicle.askmid.com/

to see whether a vehicle exists with that VRM.

IF not, you can safely do nothing, since there won't be a reg keepers name and address for the council to send an Nto to.

But make sure you don't lose the pcn, just in case the council are stupid enough to send you an NtO with the correct reg.

A vehicle exists with the VRM. I'm guessing its best to write to the council as previously advised? Should I wait to see if I get a NtO first?

Does photographic evidence trump what's written on the pcn?

[stamfordman]

A vehicle exists with the VRM. I'm guessing its best to write to the council as previously advised? Should I wait to see if I get a NtO first?

Does photographic evidence trump what's written on the pcn?

It's nice to tell the council that you found a PCN on your vehicle (copy enclosed) but it does not relate to it. You can send it anonymously if you want.

This should get them to cancel the PCN before they do the DVLA look-up and issue an NTO to the hapless other keeper.

And no, they can't change what's on the PCN.

This post has been edited by stamfordman: Sat, 3 Feb 2018 - 14:34

[DancingDad]

Forget photographic evidence they cannot use it to serve a new PCN.
Nor can they "correct" and send an NTO with correct number on.
Or at least if they do, tis an easy win.
As long as you have kept the original PCN safe, it is a winning lottery ticket, treat it as such, worth between 60 and 130 quid.

I'd write... found this PCN on my car, nothing to do with me, letting you know so you can update your records.

[PASTMYBEST]

Forget photographic evidence they cannot use it to serve a new PCN.
Nor can they "correct" and send an NTO with correct number on.
Or at least if they do, tis an easy win.
As long as you have kept the original PCN safe, it is a winning lottery ticket, treat it as such, worth between 60 and 130 quid.

I'd write... found this PCN on my car, nothing to do with me, letting you know so you can update your records.

It may have the make of vehicle on the PCN if its different to that on the website point this out.

[hcandersen]

Are you the registered keeper of your car? I ask because if it's leased or otherwise subject to a hiring agreement then they, not you, would be served with a NTO, in the unlikely event that one is issued.

But as an innocent bystander you have 28 days to work with. So, do not wait for a NTO, send a letter/email as others have suggested and follow this up so you get a resolution within the 28-day period.

[Joe R]

I am the registered keeper and I shall inform the council as advised.

Thank you for all your help and advice.

Joe

[Joe R]

I got this reply from the council.

Challenge? What challenge?

I sent them an email as advised with a photo of my VRM and a copy of the PCN.

As I've done my bit, do I ignore and leave them to get on with it or does it warrant a reply?


Good morning,
Thank you for your emails.
In order to challenge this Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) you will need to supply your full name and vehicle registration number and penalty charge notice number and full home postal address so a response can be sent.
Failure to supply your address within five working days will result in your challenge not being considered.
Please ensure you reply to parking.office@gravesham.gov.uk

[DancingDad]

Situation is unchanged insofar as they still cannot send a valid NTO.
You now have specific receipt from them, have done your bit and indeed need to do nothing more except keep the original PCN safe.

[Joe R]

Situation is unchanged insofar as they still cannot send a valid NTO.
You now have specific receipt from them, have done your bit and indeed need to do nothing more except keep the original PCN safe.

Thanks DD

[Mowgliy2k]

Hi there, I was just wondering how this worked out for you 5 months down the line?

As of today I'm in a similar predicament. They misspelled my reg with an M in place of an N. I have looked up the reg and a vehicle with the reg from the PCN left on my vehicle does exist.

I have seen lots of people claiming that the PCN is therefore void but have yet to find anyone who can put their hand up and say that the council have or have not followed up with further action.

Any insight would be a great help.

Thanks.

[stamfordman]

Start a new thread for your case if you want. I can say that a wrong VRM like that on the PCN cannot be corrected by the council.

You won't see follow up on these because there is nothing the council can do.

This post has been edited by stamfordman: Thu, 19 Jul 2018 - 22:50

[DancingDad]

Hi there, I was just wondering how this worked out for you 5 months down the line?

As of today I'm in a similar predicament. They misspelled my reg with an M in place of an N. I have looked up the reg and a vehicle with the reg from the PCN left on my vehicle does exist.

I have seen lots of people claiming that the PCN is therefore void but have yet to find anyone who can put their hand up and say that the council have or have not followed up with further action.

Any insight would be a great help.

Thanks.

Worst case you have is if the council try it on and send an NTO with "corrected" reg number.
To protect against that, keep the original PCN safe, it is a winning lottery ticket.
Apart from that, the advise in this thread is good, if you inform the council of a PCN being on your vehicle that is not for you, send a copy, no need to be coy, including name and address does no harm.
And goes someway towards protecting the poor s0d who will likely cop the NTO.