Order for Recovery: witness statement (TE13 / TE9)
An order for recovery means the unpaid PCN has been registered at the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC). You have 21 days to pay or to challenge it with a witness statement.
The four grounds (only one can be used)
For Traffic Management Act PCNs, the statement must state one and only one of these (SI 2022/71 reg 23(2)):
- You did not receive the Notice to Owner (or postal PCN).
- You made representations but did not receive a Notice of Rejection.
- You appealed to the adjudicator but got no response, the appeal hadn't been decided when the charge certificate was served, or the appeal was decided in your favour.
- You have paid the penalty charge.
Which form?
| Type of PCN | Form (within 21 days) | If you're late |
|---|---|---|
| Parking PCN (London or elsewhere), moving traffic outside London, Dart Charge, Mersey Gateway, clean air zones | TE13 | TE14 + TE13 |
| Moving traffic in a London borough; low emission zone | PE3 | TE14 + PE3 |
Send it to the Traffic Enforcement Centre by email (tec@justice.gov.uk) or post. The address is on GOV.UK. Read the form notes first, as some statements need a witness or a fee.
What happens if it's accepted
- The order is treated as revoked and the charge certificate as cancelled.
- Ground 1 (didn't receive the NtO): the NtO is cancelled, but the council can serve a fresh one. You then get 28 days to pay or challenge.
- Grounds 2-4: the council must refer the case to the adjudicator.
Late (out of time) statements
If the 21 days have passed, explain why with form TE14 alongside the witness statement. Enforcement agents are told to stop while it's considered. If the council refuses, the TEC reviews it. Either side can then ask a judge to review the TEC's decision using form N244, within 14 days, for a £126 fee (help with fees may be available).
A witness statement is a court document with a statement of truth. Only sign it if it is true. A false statement can be contempt of court.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a TE13/TE9 witness statement?
21 days beginning with the date the order for recovery is served. After that, you need to apply out of time with form TE14.
Has TE9 been replaced?
Yes. GOV.UK now lists form TE13 as the witness statement for unpaid penalty charges, which replaces TE9, and TE14 as the out-of-time application, which replaces TE7.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: If you get a court order (order of recovery)
- GOV.UK: Getting more time to challenge a court order
- GOV.UK: Traffic Enforcement Centre forms (TE13, TE14, PE2, PE3)
- The Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices, Charging Guidelines and General Provisions) (England) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/71)