General Information

In 2002, Hart District Council took over the enforcement of parking restrictions in the District (DPE). This removed the need for the police to allocate valuable resources to parking enforcement and released their time for other important policing work.

Following the implementation of The Traffic Management Act 2004 during 2008 Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) replaced DPE. The new Act gave additional control to Authorities in the enforcement of both ON and OFF street parking, and introduced a two tier level of penalty charges, a higher level and a lower level, dependant on the severity of the parking contravention.

The penalty charge levels set out in the following table shall apply.

Parking attendants, now known as Civil Enforcement Officers, have an identification number attached to the epaulettes on their uniform and that same number appears on the Notices that they issue.

Civil Enforcement Officers issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for any contravention of waiting restrictions on the road as well as in car parks.

For example:

· Parking on double yellow lines or in loading or disabled bays.
· Overstaying time periods in limited waiting areas.
· Parking across bay markings.


The police still issue Fixed Penalty Notices for parking and for moving traffic offences, which can result in penalty points on a driving license. For example; parking on the zigzag markings of a pedestrian crossing.

How to avoid getting a PCN

DO

• check the signs and lines and comply with them when they are in force
• make sure that you clearly display a valid pay & display ticket or permit in your windscreen
• park within a marked bay
• carry a means to pay for your parking
• display a Blue Badge when required