TE7 and TE9: which form do you actually need?
TE9 is the Witness Statement used to challenge an eligible Order for Recovery. TE7 is used to ask for more time when the normal deadline has passed or an extension is needed. When filing out of time, TE7 is normally submitted together with TE9 — but the two forms do different jobs and shouldn't contain the same explanation.
Not a law firm. General information, not legal advice — check your own documents for the facts and forms that actually apply to you.
Forms
TE9 (statement) & TE7 (out of time)
Response period
21 days from the Order for Recovery
Decision body
Traffic Enforcement Centre
Applies to
Most parking PCNs outside London
Example only — upload your own documents to confirm whether TE7/TE9 actually applies to your case.
Two forms, two different jobs.
TE9
What happened in the PCN process?
Purpose: the Witness Statement itself, filed against an eligible Order for Recovery, declaring which recognised statutory ground applies to your case.
TE7
Why are you filing late?
Purpose: asks the Traffic Enforcement Centre for permission to file the Witness Statement after the normal deadline.
TE7 is not where you argue why the original parking ticket was wrong.
Still within 21 days, or filing late?
What is TE9, and when is it used?
TE9 is the Witness Statement filed against an Order for Recovery. It's normally used within 21 days of the order, and only on a recognised statutory ground — not simply because you disagree with the original PCN.
Recognised statutory grounds:
- You didn't receive the relevant PCN or Notice to Owner
- You made representations to the authority but received no Notice of Rejection
- You appealed to an adjudicator but the appeal was never resolved or you received no outcome
- You had already paid the penalty in full
Select only a ground that genuinely applies to your case — not the one that seems easiest.
What is TE7, and when is it needed?
TE7 is needed when you're filing TE9 after the normal deadline. It asks why the application is late, so the reason given should relate specifically to missing the deadline, not to the original contravention.
Worth knowing:
- Give a specific, truthful reason for the delay
- The reason should relate to missing the deadline, not the PCN itself
- Filing TE7 doesn't guarantee permission will be granted
Do I need both TE7 and TE9?
- Within the normal 21-day TE9 deadline, TE7 is usually not needed.
- If you're filing the Witness Statement out of time, TE7 is normally sent together with TE9.
- The actual form requirements depend on your PCN type — this page covers TE7/TE9, but not every case uses them.
A completed TE7/TE9 pair is priced from £20.00 once your ground and route are confirmed — checking your documents is always free.
What happens after you submit them?
- 1The Traffic Enforcement Centre processes the application.
- 2An out-of-time application may be referred for a Court Officer decision.
- 3The enforcement authority may make representations of its own.
- 4The application can be accepted or refused.
- 5If refused, a review route may exist — see the Out of Time Witness Statement guide for the N244 process.
None of these outcomes are guaranteed — the Traffic Enforcement Centre and the authority decide based on the specific facts of your case.
TE7 and TE9 aren't used for every traffic enforcement case.
London borough and TfL PCNs generally use PE2 and PE3 instead — the equivalent out-of-time application and Statutory Declaration for those authorities. Other notice types can use their own version of these TEC forms. Rather than guessing, upload your paperwork so the correct pair can be identified for your actual case.
Upload my documentsTE7 & TE9 FAQs
What is form TE7?
TE7 is the application to the Traffic Enforcement Centre asking for permission to file your Witness Statement after the normal deadline, or for an extension of time. It's the "why is this late" form, not the statement of your grounds.
What is form TE9?
TE9 is the Witness Statement itself, used to challenge an eligible Order for Recovery by declaring which recognised statutory ground applies to your case.
What is the difference between TE7 and TE9?
TE9 explains what happened in the PCN process — which statutory ground applies. TE7 explains why you're filing TE9 late. They answer different questions and shouldn't contain the same explanation.
Do I need TE7 and TE9 together?
Only if you're filing after the normal 21-day Order for Recovery deadline. Within that deadline, TE9 alone is normally enough — TE7 is specifically for late filing.
What should I write on TE7?
A specific, truthful reason why you couldn't file within the original deadline — for example, notices going to an old address, or genuinely not receiving the relevant documents. It should relate to the delay, not to why you dispute the PCN itself.
Can I use TE7 to explain why the original PCN was unfair?
No. TE7 is not where you argue the original contravention was wrong — that belongs, if anywhere, in the statutory ground you select on TE9, and only if a genuine ground actually applies.
What grounds can I use on TE9?
Only the recognised statutory grounds on the current official form — broadly: non-receipt of the relevant notice, unanswered representations, an unresolved adjudicator appeal, or the penalty already being paid. Disagreeing with the contravention itself isn't one of them.
What happens if my TE7 application is refused?
You're notified of the refusal, and a review by a District Judge may be available using form N244, within its own strict deadline. A review isn't guaranteed to succeed.
Does submitting TE7 and TE9 automatically cancel the PCN?
No. The Traffic Enforcement Centre and the issuing authority still have to consider and accept the application — filing the forms starts the process, it doesn't decide the outcome.
Are TE7 and TE9 used for every type of PCN?
No. TE7/TE9 generally apply to parking PCNs and moving-traffic contraventions outside London, plus Dart Charge, Mersey Gateway, and Clean Air Zone charges. London borough and TfL PCNs generally use PE2/PE3 instead — using the wrong pair can hold up your case.
Official sources used for this guide
Reviewed against official procedural guidance. Rules and forms can change — this page is reviewed periodically, not on every change.
Last reviewed: August 2026
OverturnFine is an independent document-preparation service. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, and it is not affiliated with any council, TfL, court, or UK government body.
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