Challenge a PCN on a French car in London

libebcnofne

Hello everyone,

I need some advice from you, please. I use a French registration plate car in London. Last week, I park near a cross roads and the front wheel was on a double yellow line. I was served a £130 PCN (£65 within 14 days) numbered 01 "Parking in a restricted street during prescribed hours".

I could argue that I was alighting my children and accompany them to my house 50 m away, but I am not sure this would be a relevant challenge.
Another solution could be to let it run, as my car is not registered in the country. Is it worth it?

Is there a (good) way to challenge it, according to you?

Best regards,

Libeb

Guys_Dad

How long has the vehicle been in the UK and do you pay UK insurance?

libebcnofne

The vehicle has been in the UK for one year now, but not declared to anyone here. I don't pay insurance here.

I use it in a 'tourist' mode.

Guys_Dad

I believe you are driving illegally (if you are currently resident in the UK) and could have your car confiscated. See here https://insidedvla.blog.gov.uk/2015/01/30/dvla-works-with-the-police-and-hm-revenue-and-customs-to-crack-down-on-illegal-foreign-registered-vehicles/

I don't know the mechanism, but if your car reg goes on a Police database for non-payment, if their ANPR on-board camera picks up your car, then you could be in deep doo-doo. Also, worrying for the rest of us, you are probably not insured.

libebcnofne

The car is insured by a French company under the name of my parents who are not UK residents. This company is aware that my parents are borrowing the car to me.
I understood that one is allowed to drive as a tourist for up to 6 months in a foreign country without having to register anything. I usually go back to France every 3 or 4 months.

I understand your 'worries' but I believed that I am not out of the law.

But ok, let's forget the 'let it go' solution.

The_Slithy_Tove

libebcnofne wrote: »

The car is insured by a French company under the name of my parents who are not UK residents. This company is aware that my parents are borrowing the car to me.
I understood that one is allowed to drive as a tourist for up to 6 months in a foreign country without having to register anything. I usually go back to France every 3 or 4 months.

I don't think "popping back to France" every few months really absolves you from your obligations to register and insure the car here. If it were the other way round (a UK registered car being used in France in the same way), you would

• be exposed to "fronting", i.e. having the car insured under the name of someone (parents) who is not the main driver (you) in order to make it cheaper
• not be insured for stays overseas more than a certain number of days, be it 30, 60, 90 or whatever (especially as you are likely NOT a tourist) - again the insurance company would not be impressed by quick trips home either

Both of these would essentially mean you are not insured. Not sure if French insurance companies operate the same way. You need to check your insurance details, and be careful not to be involved in an accident, where your little scam would be exposed.

As for the PCN, you're probably OK to forget it, as the local authority won't be able to get the keeper's details on a foreign car.

fisherjim

This might answer your questions, but why you think you should benefit from driving a vehicle on the roads while we subsidise you I don't know!

http://www.local.gov.uk/media-releases/-/journal_content/56/10180/6412152/NEWS

Grimble

You can only drive a foreign registered car in another EU country for any six months in one year, this does not have to be one period. You will not be insured, it is your responsibility to keep ferry or tunnel tickets to prove this. British Police will confiscate the car as you are breaking the law. I know people who have two cars and swap them over every six months so they are legal.

Grimble

https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/temporary-imports

libebcnofne

Thank you for your replies. They will help me.

As for my PCN, I will challenge it but I still don't know on what ground.

pappa_golf

why should you challenge it? the authoritys cannot get your info ,

just put 2 fingers upto them , the same as you are doing with UK VED , and "possably" insurance