What Bexley enforces
- Parking
- Enforces — officers and CCTV
- Bus lanes / gates
- Not confirmed by our sources — Bexley's guidance refers to Enforcement Notices but doesn't list its camera sites
- Moving traffic
- Not confirmed by our sources
- Penalty level
- London charge levels (London Councils)
- Appeals
- London Tribunals (free)
About Bexley PCNs
Bexley handles PCN challenges through its online portal, where you can see the contravention details, photos and any CCTV clip (if a clip judders, Bexley suggests downloading it from the menu on the video). Have your registration and PCN reference ready; Bexley references start XL followed by eight characters. Don't use the portal for environmental Fixed Penalty Notices.
The most important thing on Bexley's page is how it treats repeat letters. At the informal stage, before a Notice to Owner or Enforcement Notice, an officer reviews your first challenge and replies by post. A second letter at that stage is filed but not reconsidered or answered, and the PCN moves on, possibly with extra charges. The same applies to a second set of formal representations. So put everything into one challenge and one formal representation. Formal representations are always reviewed afresh, even if an informal challenge was rejected.
Bexley explains what it expects for common situations: challenge and explain if you no longer owned the car, if it was used without consent, or if you already paid. For a breakdown, send a garage invoice, recovery document or breakdown attendance record. For theft or cloned plates, report it to the police first and send the crime reference (not a CAD number), with photos of your car's colour and both number plates for cloning. Once a Charge Certificate is issued, letters are not reconsidered; from the Order for Recovery the choice is paying or a witness statement to the Traffic Enforcement Centre.
How to challenge a Bexley PCN
- Check the deadline. A camera PCN sent by post gets a 50% discount if paid within 14 days; representations are normally due within 28 days of the notice being served.
- Make representations to the council using its online challenge form. Quote the PCN number and the grounds that apply.
- If rejected, appeal to London Tribunals within 28 days of the Notice of Rejection. The adjudicator is independent of Bexley.
London penalty levels from 7 April 2025: Band A £160/£110, Band B £140/£90; bus lane and moving traffic £160 (London Councils).
Questions
What happens if I send Bexley a second challenge?
Bexley says a second letter at the same stage is added to the file but not reconsidered or answered, and the PCN moves to the next stage. Put everything in one challenge.
What evidence does Bexley need for cloned plates?
A police crime reference (not a CAD number) and photos showing your car's colour and front and rear number plates.
What does a Bexley PCN reference look like?
XL followed by eight characters.
Where do I appeal a Bexley PCN if my challenge is rejected?
To London Tribunals, which is independent of the council. Appeals are free and must normally be made within 28 days of the Notice of Rejection.