How It Works

Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) gives Local Authorities the power to enforce all parking restrictions within the county. These powers are issued by the Secretary of State under regulations within the Traffic Management Act 2004. This means parking enforcement is the responsibility of the Local Authority but the police remain responsible for illegal offences such as dangerous parking and obstruction. The main objectives of on street parking enforcement are to maintain road safety and prevent congestion.

Devon County Council is responsible for all on-street Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) across Devon (excluding Plymouth and Torbay).

Civil Enforcement Officers wearing easily recognisable uniform’s, are employed by Exeter City Council, East Devon District Council, Mid Devon District Council, West Devon Borough Council, North Devon Council, Torridge District, Teignbridge District and South Hams District Council to work in partnership with Devon County Council patrolling both the streets and car parks. The district councils also employ trained administration staff to process payments or challenges,

Trained CEOs patrol all streets with pay & display parking, double yellow lines and all other parking restrictions as well as the off-street car parks.  They check whether cars are parked appropriately and issue PCNs to those vehicles parked in contravention of the traffic regulation orders.

A parked vehicle which blocks access at a private drive way, may also be liable for a PCN, subject to the householder reporting the vehicle details, and the availability of a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) to attend the property. A PCN will only be issued if the resident is present and can provide proof of residency to the attending CEO.

Driver’s who are unable to get out of their premises due to a parked vehicle, should contact the local Police to report a vehicle obstructing the highway if they wish it to be moved. A CEO may only issue a PCN to the vehicle subject to the conditions above, but cannot arrange for it to be removed.

The enforcement of access to private driveways is unlikely to be considered a priority by the Council over other road safety enforcement and will therefore, only take place when a CEO is available.

Once a PCN has been issued the CEO cannot withdraw or cancel the PCN. Drivers must make a challenge to the issue of the PCN in writing to the issuing local authority, details of which along with full instructions of what to do next, can be found printed on the back of the PCN document.

How to challenge a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)

Civil Enforcement Officers do not just issue PCNs – they are trained to be customer focused and can give directions, advice on road sign meanings and where to park legally, and act as the “eyes and ears” for the Council reporting faults to signs and lines and maintaining pay & display machines.