London boroughs, Transport for London (TfL) and the London Lorry Control Scheme issued 10,195,456 penalty charge notices (PCNs) in 2025-26, according to figures published by London Councils.
The total covers parking, bus lane and moving traffic contraventions and was 7% higher than the 9,462,185 notices recorded for 2024-25. The previous year’s total had risen by 13.5%.
Appeals increased faster than notices
Appeals received by London Tribunals increased by 16.9%, from 47,935 in 2024-25 to 56,079 in 2025-26. That represents 0.55% of all PCNs issued during the latest year.
Of the appeals heard by an independent adjudicator, appellants won 48.9%, compared with 45.3% in 2024-25 on London Councils’ restated basis. The previous year’s published release used a different measure and gave the appellants’ win rate as 49.4% of total appeals, so the two figures are not directly comparable.
Drivers must first challenge a PCN with the authority that issued it before taking an unresolved case to London Tribunals. The service is operated on behalf of London’s councils.
Authorities defend enforcement role
London Councils said boroughs and TfL issue PCNs when they believe there is evidence that a parking or moving traffic breach has occurred. It said income is used for traffic and parking services, with any surplus ringfenced for other transport projects and services, including the Freedom Pass concessionary travel scheme for older and disabled Londoners.
The organisation also said enforcement can change road-user behaviour and help reduce congestion and air pollution in some areas, particularly around school streets.
Cllr Paul Osborn, London Councils’ executive member for transport and environment, said: “Effective traffic and parking management is essential to keeping London moving, with the capital’s boroughs and TfL working to manage demand on the road network and ensure streets work for the communities that use them.”
He added: “Our traffic and road authorities work to ensure a fair system for all road users, whether they drive, walk, cycle or take the bus.”
The figures published by London Councils do not provide a breakdown by borough or type of contravention, and do not state total PCN income.