Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC)
If a Warrant of Control has been issued and passed to a bailiff/enforcement agent, it will have been authorised by the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC).
If you have received a text message, letter or a visit from a bailiff/enforcement agent in relation to a Penalty Charge Notice, (Dart Charge, TfL congestion charge/ULEZ, CAZ, Merseyflow etc) that you had been unaware of, it will usually be because all notices had been sent to a previous address. Fortunately, legislation was introduced under section 75 of the Civil Procedure Rules to safeguard motorists in such cases. Bailiff enforcement will be suspended for a short while (6-8 weeks) when an Out of Time Witness Statement (TE7 and TE9) or Out of Time Statutory Declaration (PE2 and PE3) is submitted to the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC). If accepted, the debt registration (including bailiff fees) will be cancelled. A new Penalty Charge Notice will be issued allowing you to pay at the earlier discounted rate.
Under the Traffic Enforcement Centre category of our website, you will find the following pages:
About the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC)
The Traffic Enforcement Centre is part of Northampton County Court. It was set up solely to register all unpaid Penalty Charge Notices (including Bus Lane contraventions, TfL congestion charges, CAZ, Dart Charges and Merseyflow). It is important to stress that registration of such debts does not in any way affect your credit rating. You will not have have a County Court judgment. Our detailed page about the Traffic Enforcement Centre can be read here.
What is an Out of Time Witness Statement?
Before you can consider submitting an Out of Time Witness Statement (TE7 and TE9) to the Traffic Enforcement Centre you need to know what these applications are and the reason for submitting them. This page explains.
Out of Time Witness Statement (TE7 and TE9)
The most popular page on our Bailiff Advice website is this one. Here you will find advice on how to complete an Out of Time Witness Statement (form TE7 and TE9) or Out of Time Statutory Declaration (form PE2 and PE3) and much more.
Mistakes on Out of Time Witness Statements (TE7 and TE9)
Unfortunately, over 65% of Out of Time witness statements (late appeals) are rejected. From the many enquiries that we receive from motorists, it is sadly the case that the cause of the rejection is usually due entirely to poorly drafted forms (TE7 and TE9). Given the seriousness of this problem, we have introduced this page to our website.
Out of Time Witness Statement is accepted
If your Out of Time Witness Statement is accepted, the debt registration will be cancelled (including bailiff fees). A new Penalty Charge Notice will be issued allowing you to pay the charge at the earlier discounted rate. If you have already made payment to the bailiff, you should receive a refund. Our detailed page on this subject can be read here.
Out of Time Witness Statement has been rejected
If your Out of Time Witness Statement/Statutory Declaration application has been refused, the options available to you are outlined on this page.
Traffic Enforcement Centre and N244
If your Out of Time witness statement is refused, you can request that the decision be reviewed. This is not a straightforward procedure. An application is made to the Traffic Enforcement Centre using form N244. Unfortunately, there is court fee of up to £255 for such an application. Please do seek advice before considering such an application. This page should assist you.
Traffic Enforcement Centre FAQs
We have introduced this page to answer many of the frequently asked questions received from motorists. The page can be read here.
Commentary from Bailiff Advice Online
We have significant experience with drafting Out of Time witness statements (TE7 and TE9) and statutory declarations (PE2 and PE3). If you require assistance with drafting of these forms, you can email a question to us using our online Enquiry Form. Alternatively, can contact our free helpline on 01643 841886. Our opening times can be found on our Contact page.
Lastly, our Simplified Guide to the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013 can be read here.