Drivers in London hit by almost 10 million fines over past year
A record fine of nearly 10 million was imposed on London drivers last year in what experts claimed was a “money-making exercise”.
A total of 9,462,185 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued in 2024, according to new data from London Councils, which comprise the capital’s 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation.
This represents a 13.6 per cent increase in total parking-related PCNs submitted, from 42,192 in 2023-24 to 47,935 in 2024-25.
The fines were handed out by London Truck Control and Transport for London (TfL) for drivers who breached parking, bus lanes and moving traffic rules. The fine of 9,462,185 is the highest total number of PCNs ever across all three areas.
According to London Councils, “moving traffic PCNs” have increased, causing the total to rise even further.
AA chief executive Edmund King said: “London enforcement, once meant as a deterrent, is now a money-making exercise for TfL and London councils, while there is a need to protect parking lots and bus lanes from drivers who break the rules and make life difficult for other road users.”
The total number of appellants increased by 5,742 (13.6%) to 47,935; this accounts for only 0.45 percent of the total PCNs issued.
While fewer drivers were successful in appealing their PCNs, the percentage of total appeals won fell from 54.9 per cent in 2023-24 to 49.4 per cent in 2024-25.
According to London Councils, this represents “a significant improvement by boroughs, both in the quality of the evidence presented on appeal and in how the challenges to PCN are assessed by boroughs at the earlier stages”.
Mr King added: “We are pleased to see more drivers fighting back, with a 13.6 per cent increase in appeals to the London Courts.
“Unfortunately, a large number of motorists, confident that they had done nothing wrong or that the road and sign layout was in fact a trap, paid half rate within 14 days rather than appeal to the PCN. This is a fear of having to pay a fine of more than a day’s wage, and often a fear that does not match the nature of the offence, such as going one wheel over the line.”
In London PCNs can cost the driver up to £160, while outside the capital these prices are around £70 to £130. Amounts are usually halved if payment is made within 14 days.
A London Council spokesman said: “Penalty Charge Notices are a vital tool that will help keep London’s roads safe and accessible for everyone. Councils only issue PCNs when there is clear evidence of road rules being breached, and this helps deter dangerous or reckless driving and parking.
“Income from PCNs goes directly back into essential traffic and parking services, with any excess reinvested into important transport initiatives such as the Freedom Pass for older and disabled Londoners. This work ultimately supports safer, fairer streets across the capital.”
