Traffic warden myths busted – and the truth about ‘commission’ payments

Finding a pricey yellow ticket sitting on your windscreen will inevitably place traffic wardens on your list of most disliked people.

Everyone knows that sinking feeling it brings to the pit of the stomach, made all the worse when we feel it’s unjustified.

However, we should all remember when we’ve been stung with one of those unwanted and costly notices, we usually only have ourselves to blame.

After all, these officers are just going about their daily duties to earn a living, are are only human too.

For a better understanding on how they really work, and whether they’re just there to take our money, Conwy council let us spend the day with one of their senior enforcement officers.

Giving us a candid insight into a typical day of enforcement around Llandudno, the officer, who did not want to reveal his identity, also shared the truth behind some of the most popular myths and claims.

Here, he answers a series of questions that will also help you avoid ever getting stung again.

Any tips to avoid a parking ticket?

“If you’re not sure whether you can park in a particular area, just move on,” he said.

How often are you confronted aggressively or subject to personal comments when doing the job?

The officer, said: “It can be daily, and surprisingly it is not always from motorists.

“Occasionally other people get involved who don’t have a clear understanding of the situation. He added: “Some don’t even own a car.

“In the 12 years I’ve been doing this job, there have probably been five or six occasions where I have been physically threatened. Someone once threatened to burn my house down.

“I don’t let it bother me, but I suppose it has made me cynical.

“Some people just look for someone to blame, so they blame the uniform.

“I can get weeks where every day I am subject to abuse, but I can also go weeks and I won’t come across anything.

“When you’re dealing with the public, you can’t please everyone.”

Do you visit certain areas for ‘easy tickets’?

The officer, said: “No. A lot of people think we’re out to make money, and that is not the case.

“We are just here doing a job, and to help move the traffic along.

“We try to be fair with everyone. If someone is issued a ticket and they’re not happy about it, I always mention the appeal process and advise them to appeal.”

He added a lot of people have the misconception officers visit areas around schools at pickup and drop off hours for an “easy ticket”.

“We visit schools to protect children, we’re not just there to issue PCN’s (penalty charge notice),” he said. “We will issue tickets there if we have to, but the main reason we attend is to educate and to help the flow of traffic.

“Sometimes, you get parents who are running late, and they park on yellow lines while they run in with their children.

“If you get a child running around and cars are parked where they shouldn’t be, it could cause an accident.”

When can you park on double yellow lines?

Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time – unless you hold a disabled parking permit, or you’re loading or unloading without causing an obstruction.

The Highway Code says that double yellows indicate a “prohibition of waiting at any time” – even if there are no upright signs.

Can you park on single yellow lines?

Yes, you can park on a single yellow line – but only for a restricted period.

Wherever there is a single yellow line, there will be a time plate nearby highlighting the times you’re free to park up.

Every yellow line is different, so it is important to check the restriction time before leaving your car.

If you are caught parking on a single yellow line during the restriction period, an officer will give you a five minute grace period to move your car. If it’s not done in that time, you’ll be slapped with a ticket.

Can blue badge holders park on double and single yellow lines?

Yes, they can, as long as they don’t cause an obstruction. However, there is a three hour time limit to do so.

How much are PCN’s?

Penalty charge notices are usually £50 however, depending on the parking offence, fines can also be as high as £70.

In all cases, if the ticket is paid within 14 days, a discount of 50 per cent is accepted by all local authorities in Wales.

Is the job commission based, and are officers given targets?

No, both are untrue for officers working for a local authority.

Where does the money made from parking tickets go?

Conwy council says all money made through enforcement goes back into running the service (Parking Enforcement Operation).

Can motorists be fined for parking over two parking bays?

Yes – it’s in the Highway Code that vehicles must park entirely within a marked bay so they don’t cause obstruction or inconvenience other motorists and pedestrians.

The officer adds the tyre of the vehicle must be within the line. If the tyre is fully over the line, and the line can be seen inside of the wheel, a ticket will be issued.

He added PCNs issued in this way are quite common as people don’t often check they’re within the lines before leaving their car.

Are motorists given a grace period if they have overstayed the time they are permitted to park in a bay? If so, how long? 

Yes – officers allow a five minute grace period before a PCN is issued in these circumstances.

However, the officer explained grace periods are different in England, which often confuses people visiting from across the border.

Are officers able to revoke tickets on the spot in certain circumstances?

Conwy council says officers cannot revoke a PCN once it has been served to the motorists or the vehicle.

However, if a motorist feels the PCN has been issued wrongly, the officer can provide advice on how to appeal.

They can also make a note on the system of any circumstances they have been made aware of, so this can be considered with any appeal.

Are officers able to issue more than one ticket to a vehicle that has been parked unlawfully in the same spot over a period of time?

One PCN can be issued within a period of 24 hours.

Is it true Royal Mail vehicles exempt from getting PCNs?

Yes. Royal Mail employees are exempt from receiving parking tickets in the course of duty.

They are also permitted to park in some restricted areas in a Royal Mail vehicle – including on double yellow lines – provided they are not causing a major obstruction.

The officer explains this is because they are given special dispensation by the Queen.

Are council vans exempt from getting PCNs?

No, in general council vans don’t have the same exemptions as Royal Mail employees and will receive a PCN if they park unlawfully.

The officer said: “They’re not very common, but it does happen.”

Are officers offered any protection while out on the job?

Civil Enforcement Officers are issued Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which includes mobile phones, CCTV radios and Body Worn Video Cameras.

Why did you want to become a Civil Enforcement Officer?

“I hadn’t thought about being a Civil Enforcement Officer, but I noticed the advert and I wanted to work for a good organisation that offered job security and stability.”

Are there any specific traits you would say an officer needs to have to be successful in the job?

Calm, friendly, personable and caring nature.

Is it true that Civil Enforcement officers are able to park in restricted areas while carrying out enforcement duties?

The law does give enforcement officers dispensation to park in a restricted area while they are carrying out official council duties, but they will avoid parking like this whenever possible, Conwy Council says.

“It isn’t often an issue, because generally the officers carry out parking enforcement on foot – the vehicles are only used for travelling between locations,” a spokesman said.

How do I appeal a PCN?

To challenge this kind of PCN you should contact the council as soon as possible. Information on how you can do this will be on the notice.