What happens if the PCN was sent to my old address?
Last updated: June 2025 · 8 min read
If the PCN or Notice to Keeper was sent to your old address, you may not have received it in time to appeal or respond. This can be a valid defence, particularly if the parking company failed to serve the required POFA 2012 notices to your correct address. However, the parking company is only required to send notices to the address held by the DVLA.
- --The parking company uses the address on the DVLA register
- --If you did not update your address with the DVLA, they may have sent it correctly
- --Not receiving a notice may be grounds for a late appeal or court defence
- --Check whether the Notice to Keeper was served to the correct DVLA address at the time
Key Takeaways
- The parking company obtains your address from the DVLA and sends correspondence there.
- If you moved and did not update the DVLA, the notice may have been sent to the correct address on record.
- If the DVLA had your new address but the parking company used an outdated one, this is a procedural failing.
- Not receiving the initial PCN or Notice to Keeper can support a late appeal or court defence.
- Always update your address with the DVLA promptly when you move.
What Applies to You
If you updated your DVLA address before the PCN was sent
The parking company should have received your current address from the DVLA.
If they sent it to the old address, raise this as a procedural failing in your defence.
Act soonIf you had not updated your DVLA address
The parking company sent the notice to the address the DVLA provided, which was your old address.
This weakens the non-receipt argument, but you may still have other defences.
Act soonIf a court claim has been filed to your old address
You may not have received the claim form, and a default judgment could be entered.
Apply to set aside any default judgment on the basis of non-receipt of the claim form.
UrgentHow the Parking Company Gets Your Address
Private parking companies obtain registered keeper details through the DVLA's KADOE (Keeper at Date of Event) system. The DVLA provides the name and address of the registered keeper at the time of the contravention. If you had moved but not updated the DVLA, the parking company will have received your old address. Under the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Regulations, you must notify the DVLA of a change of address.
POFA 2012 and Proper Service of Notices
Under POFA 2012, the parking company must serve a Notice to Keeper to the address obtained from the DVLA. If the DVLA provided your old address because you had not updated it, the parking company has technically served the notice correctly. However, if the DVLA had your new address and the parking company used an old one from a previous enquiry, this may constitute a failure to properly serve the notice.
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Answer the QuestionnaireWhat to Do If You Discover the Charge Late
If you only discover the parking charge after appeal deadlines have passed, explain the circumstances in writing to the parking company and request a late appeal. If a court claim has been filed and a default judgment entered, apply to set it aside under CPR Part 13, citing non-receipt of the claim form as your reason for not responding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it my fault if I did not update my DVLA address?
You are legally required to update your address with the DVLA when you move. If you did not, the parking company cannot be blamed for sending correspondence to the address the DVLA provided. However, you may still have other defences to the charge itself.
Can I claim I never received the PCN?
You can state that you did not receive the PCN, but the parking company only has to prove it was sent to the correct DVLA address, not that you actually received it. This is a grey area that courts consider on a case-by-case basis.
What if someone at my old address accepted the mail?
The parking company does not need to prove you personally received the notice, only that it was sent to the correct address. However, if the notice did not reach you, this can support arguments about fairness and late appeals.
Can a default judgment be set aside if I was at a different address?
Yes. Non-receipt of the court claim form is a valid ground for setting aside a default judgment. You would need to provide evidence that you were living at a different address and did not receive the paperwork.
Should I redirect my post when I move?
Yes. Royal Mail redirection will ensure you receive important correspondence including court documents. However, the best solution is to update your address with the DVLA and other official bodies promptly.
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Our defence documents are grounded in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims. Customers have used these arguments to get charges dropped and claims discontinued.
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FightMyPCN is a document preparation service, not a law firm. The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. If you are unsure about your position, consider seeking independent legal advice.