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Notice to Driver: What a Valid NTD Must Contain

Last updated: 15 April 2026

A Notice to Driver (NTD) is the initial notice given to the driver or left on the vehicle windscreen. Under POFA 2012 Schedule 4, giving a valid NTD is a precondition for establishing keeper liability. If no NTD was given or it was defective, the entire keeper liability chain fails.

  • --Must be given to the driver or left on the vehicle at the time of the alleged contravention
  • --Is a precondition for the operator to later pursue the registered keeper
  • --Must contain details of the contravention, the charge amount, and how to pay or appeal
  • --Failure to issue a valid NTD means keeper liability cannot arise

Key Takeaways

  1. The NTD is the first step in the POFA keeper liability chain
  2. Without a valid NTD, the operator cannot serve a valid NTK or establish keeper liability
  3. Many operators rely on ANPR instead of leaving physical notices, which creates compliance risks
  4. The NTD must contain sufficient information for the driver to understand the alleged contravention
  5. Challenge the NTD if you never received one or found one on your vehicle

Key Definitions

Notice to Driver (NTD)
The initial notice given to the driver or affixed to the vehicle informing them of the alleged parking contravention. Required under Schedule 4, paragraph 8 as a precondition for keeper liability.
Windscreen notice
A physical notice left on the vehicle windscreen by a parking attendant. Where an NTD is left on the windscreen, the time limit for serving the NTK extends from 14 days to 29 days.

The Role of the NTD in Keeper Liability

Under Schedule 4, paragraph 8, the creditor must have given a notice to the driver or affixed one to the vehicle before the keeper liability process can begin. This is a mandatory precondition. If the operator cannot demonstrate that an NTD was given, the entire statutory framework for pursuing the keeper collapses at the first step. The NTD is what starts the clock for the subsequent Notice to Keeper.

What the NTD Must Contain

The NTD must set out the details of the alleged contravention, including the date, time, location, and nature of the breach. It must state the charge amount and provide details of how to pay. It should also inform the driver of their right to appeal. While the prescribed content requirements for the NTD are less detailed than for the NTK, the notice must be sufficient for the driver to understand what they are being charged for and why.

ANPR-Only Sites and the NTD Issue

Many parking companies now operate ANPR-only sites where no physical notice is left on the vehicle. In these cases the operator typically posts the NTD to the registered keeper. This creates a grey area because the driver may not be the keeper, and the notice may not reach the actual driver. Some operators argue that posting the NTD to the keeper satisfies the requirement, but this is contestable where the keeper was not driving.

How to Challenge the NTD

If you did not receive a notice on your windscreen and the operator claims one was left, ask for evidence such as a photograph of the notice on the vehicle or a record of the patrol officer's visit. If the site is ANPR-only and the NTD was posted, check whether it arrived within the required timeframe and whether it was addressed to the driver or just the keeper. Any failure in the NTD process weakens the operator's ability to establish keeper liability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Notice to Driver?

A Notice to Driver (NTD) is the initial notice given to the driver or left on the vehicle windscreen by the parking operator. It informs the driver of the alleged contravention and the charge. It is a precondition for establishing keeper liability under POFA 2012.

What if I never received a Notice to Driver?

If no NTD was given to the driver or left on the vehicle, the first condition for keeper liability under Schedule 4 is not met. The operator cannot proceed to serve a valid NTK without first having issued an NTD.

Does an NTD have to be left on the windscreen?

Not necessarily. The NTD can be given to the driver directly or left on the vehicle. At ANPR-only sites, it is often posted. However, posting to the registered keeper may not satisfy the requirement if the keeper was not the driver.

How does the NTD affect the time limit for the NTK?

If an NTD was physically left on the vehicle, the time limit for serving the NTK extends from 14 days to 29 days from the date of the contravention. If no physical NTD was left, the 14-day limit applies.

Can I request proof that an NTD was issued?

Yes. You can ask the operator for evidence that a notice was given to the driver or left on the vehicle. This might include patrol records, photographs, or system logs. If they cannot produce evidence, their claim that an NTD was issued is weakened.

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