Frequently asked questions
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Fines
How do you deal with fines?
Fines sent to LeasePlan by post or email are passed on to our customers or the necessary driver information is sent to the relevant authorities.
What is a PCN?
PCNs are Parking Charge Notices for private parking. They’re distinct from the Penalty Charge Notices that are issued by local authorities. A PCN is the document issued by the car park owner or operator for breaching the terms of the contract agreed by parking in the car park or for trespassing. PCNs ask for payment of parking charges.
I have received a fine or PCN. What should I do?
If you receive a fine, this means that LeasePlan has transferred liability to you as the driver/customer in possession of the vehicle at the time the offence was committed.
You have two options:
- 1.If you believe the fine/PCN was fair, please pay the amount charged. There will be details of how to do this on the notice.
- 2.If you feel that you have grounds for appeal and you wish to contest the charge, the details on how to appeal will be on the notice. If the notice is not in your name, please contact us to request a third party authorisation letter to send with your appeal. Please make your appeal directly to the authority.
When does LeasePlan pay a fine/PCN?
LeasePlan will pay a fine/PCN and send you an invoice in two situations:
- 1.There are some fines where legislation dictates that the registered keeper (in this case LeasePlan UK Ltd) must pay. (For example, LeasePlan is obliged to pay all congestion charge fines, some bus lane fines and the second notification of private parking charge notices).
- 2.Your employer has taken the decision to request that LeasePlan pays all fines/PCNs. If in doubt, please speak to your Fleet Manager/HR department. If LeasePlan has paid a fine/PCN, there may be an admin fee applied as agreed in the terms and conditions of your/your employer's contract with LeasePlan.
LeasePlan have given the private parking company my details. Why are you now saying you'll pay on my behalf?
The Protection of Freedom Act (2012) allows the private parking company to return the PCN to LeasePlan if they've been unable to contact you and LeasePlan are held liable under keeper liability. If this happens, LeasePlan will pay the PCN and recharge this on to you along with an administration fee.
I have received a congestion charge/bus lane fine recharge. Why was this paid on my behalf?
Congestion charge fines and some bus lane fines (depending on the authority) must be paid by the registered keeper (LeasePlan) and recharged to the customer. The issuing authorities do not allow us to transfer liability. If this has happened for a different fine, it may be due to your company's policy. If you'd like to talk to someone, please contact your customer services team.
Fines and penalties - acronyms
ANPR Automatic Number Plate Recognition. Some parking companies use this to register any breaches of the parking rules displayed on car park signs. If the parking company use ANPR, you won't have found a Parking Charge Notice on your windscreen - instead they will contact us as the registered keepers of the vehicle.
PCN Parking Charge Notice. Not to be confused with Penalty Charge Notices issued by local authorities, PCNs are issued by car park operators for breaching the terms and conditions of the car park or for trespassing. PCNs ask for payment of parking charges. PCNs are not fines, but by parking in their private car park, you entered a contract with the operator, outlined on signs in easy-to-spot places in the car park.
BPA The British Parking Association - an independent body that promotes best practice in parking for the UK and Europe, as well as acting as regulator for the Approved Operator Scheme (AOS) for private parking companies. Only AOS members can get registered keeper details from the DVLA.
Private parking Private parking is where a vehicle is parked in a privately-owned car park where vehicles can park subject to the owner's terms and conditions.
Why have you charged an admin fee on the fine you paid on my behalf?
We charge the cost of processing the fine onto you, so that you only get charged if there is a fine. This means you only pay these costs for the fines you get.
I need back-up copies of the congestion charge penalty notice - how can I get this?
We'll have sent you a copy of the fine on your invoice. You can also get a copy from the TFL website.
We'll have a copy of the fine if it's within the last three months. If you have questions, call our customer service team on 0345 250 0000.
How can I get a copy of a parking or bus lane fine?
We only hold copies of fines if we've paid the fine on your behalf. If you need an additional copy, please call customer services on 0345 250 0000.
If LeasePlan haven't paid and recharged the fine to you, please contact the issuing authority.
How long will the appeal take for my Private Parking Charge?
Once the private parking company gets your appeal, they must stop processing the Parking Charge Notice immediately. They then have 14 days to get back to you, and a further 35 days to respond with a decision. In exceptional circumstances, they can extend this and they'll let you know if they do.
What is the Protection of Freedom Act (2012)?
It covers some personal freedoms including parking on private land. It stops Private Parking Companies (PPC) clamping vehicles, but has resulted in 'keeper liability' meaning PPCs can charge us (LeasePlan) as the registered keeper if we haven’t been able to transfer the fine to you.
What happens if I ignore a PCN?
Much of the advice on the internet is to ignore the private parking company as there is little/nothing that they can do. LeasePlan strongly advises against this. The Protection of Freedoms Act has given the private parking companies increased powers to pursue the registered keeper of the vehicle for payment. if a driver doesn't comply with the terms and conditions set in place by the private parking company, then the driver is responsible for any charges incurred.
Ultimately, you may end up being taken to court with a judgement against you costing significantly more than the initial charge. You can also be issued with a County Court Judgement (CCJ) against your name. If you feel you have a right to contest, then please appeal to the private parking company by following the instructions provided on the PCN. Any costs incurred by LeasePlan for private parking charges will be passed onto the customer along with an administration fee.
Why have I been charged an administration fee on top of the fine?
We charge an administration fee for processing your fine as stated in the Terms and Conditions of your contract.
I have paid a speeding fine. Do I notify LeasePlan?
You don't have to inform LeasePlan if you've paid a speeding fine. If you become disqualified from driving, it's a criminal offence to continue driving the vehicle and your insurance cover will be invalid which is a breach of your contract with LeasePlan. If you're concerned, contact your fleet manager or call your DriverLine number. If you don't know your DriverLine number, call 0344 493 7644.
How long does a police authority have to issue a speeding fine to the registered keeper?
The police have 14 days to issue a speeding fine to the registered keeper. Outside of this time, it's unenforceable. For further information, click here.
I need to get a copy of a fine. What should I do?
Please contact your customer service team and they'll be able to send this to you. We're legally unable to send you a copy of a speeding fine, but we can provide you with the details of the offence.
I would like to contest a fine (even if it has already been paid) - what do I do?
We can supply a third party authorisation letter to allow you to do this. Some authorities also allow you to contest a fine online. You should check the relevant authority's website to see if this is possible. If you would like to do this, please contact your customer service team. If you do not know your DriverLine number, please call 0344 493 7644.
I was not the driver of the vehicle at the time the fine/PCN was issued. What should I do?
If you know who the driver was, you should either pass the details of the driver on to the authority or get the driver to pay.
If you don't know who the driver was, you need to pay the charge or appeal against it. If you don't do this, the authority will chase you for payment and ultimately, you may end up being taken to court with a judgement against you costing significantly more than the initial charge. You may also be issued with a County Court Judgement (CCJ) against your name.
I've been incorrectly charged for a congestion charge penalty - how can I contest this?
If you wish to appeal and contest the fine, please contact your customer service team to obtain a third party authorisation letter to contest the fine directly with Transport for London (TfL) and then visit the TfL website for details on appealing the congestion charge here. You must appeal to TfL within 28 days of the date of issue of the fine for them to review it.
I have contested a congestion charge penalty with TfL and they’ve agreed to cancel the fine. What should I do?
Once we’ve received official confirmation from TfL and the refund has been received, we’ll issue the credit via your customer account. If you’ve not received this after six weeks, please contact your customer services team.
I’ve received a recharge from LeasePlan for a fixed penalty notice as a result of an insurance advisory letter. What should I do?
Contact your insurance provider or third party who manages the Motor Insurance Database for you immediately. Failure to do so or delay could result in further fines and penalties.
Under your customer agreement with us, failure to provide proof of insurance could result in LeasePlan taking further action. Please pay this as a normal invoice.
The fixed penalty notice is only issued if, as the result of the insurance advisory letter, the vehicle still doesn't show on the Motor Insurance Database (MID).
LeasePlan, on receipt of the fixed penalty notice, are required to pay and recharge the fine as new legislation doesn't allow the registered keeper to transfer liability. An administration fee is charged for this as per the terms and conditions of your contract.
Which offences are endorsable?
- Speeding
- Traffic offences
Which offences are non endorsable?
- Parking charges
- Parking on private land
- Bus lane contraventions
- Congestion charge
- Dartford Crossing Charge
- Tolls and bridges i.e. M6 Toll, Severn Crossings
- Non-declaration of vehicle on Motor Insurance Database