Pay or Appeal Bus Lane Penalty Charge Notice?
Have you been given a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice? Don’t worry, it happens to many drivers. This site gets over 32,000 visits each month from people needing advice on tickets and fines, just like you.
In this article, we’ll help you understand:
- Why you might get a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice.
- When it is okay to drive in a bus lane.
- What to do if you accidentally drive in a bus lane.
- How to appeal a bus lane fine.
- The cost of a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice.
We know that getting a penalty can be a worry. You might be scared about the fine or unsure about the process to appeal it. Our team has guided many drivers in your position, and we’re here to give you the information you need to make a choice about your ticket.
Let’s take a step-by-step look at your options for dealing with a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice.
Do You Have To Pay?
In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your bus lane fine.
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Not only did I save £50 on solicitor feeds, I also won my case and didn’t have to pay my £271 fine.
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Should you appeal a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice?
Yes. You could appeal a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice, but only if you’ve got solid grounds to do so. As mentioned, the issuer can’t chase you for payment until the matter is resolved.
Check out this motorist’s question on whether it’s worth appealing a bus lane fine in Manchester.
Source: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6041372/bus-lane-fine-pay-or-appeal
Challenging PCN gains you a little time!
Moreover, if you lodge your appeal against the PCN within 14 days, and the issuer rejects it, you could still pay the reduced fine.
What happens after you get a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice?
The notice could arrive in the post when you’re caught on camera using a bus lane when it’s not allowed. The PCN should arrive within 14 days of the alleged offence.
But if the PCN is sent through the mail, it could arrive within 28 days unless regulations state otherwise!
The issuer retrieves your details from the DVLA, and sometimes the DVLA is slow to respond. It’s worth noting there’s a time limit of 6 months for a PCN to be served because of this!
I’ve listed the deadline for paying a bus lane PCN here:
- You have 28 days to pay the fine which means paying the full amount
- You could pay the fine within 14 days so you pay 50% less than the original fine
But only pay if you’re happy the fine is yours and you committed the offence! When you challenge the fine, the issuer puts all proceedings on hold until a decision is made.
Successful Appeal Case Study
Situation
| Initial Fine | £100 |
| Additional Fees | £171 |
| Total Fine | £271 |
The Appeal Process
Scott used JustAnswer, online legal service to enhance his appeal. The trial of this cost him just £5.
| Total Fine | £271 |
| Cost of legal advice | £5 |
JustAnswer helped Scott craft the best appeal possible and he was able to win his case.
Scott’s fine was cancelled and he only paid £5 for the legal help.
In partnership with Just Answer.
Are there any reasons you could drive in a bus lane?
When signs say you can’t drive in a bus lane, then you must avoid doing so. Unless circumstances arise when it’s impossible not to use a bus lane!
I’ve listed some examples here:
| When using a bus lane could be inevitable | Yes/No/Maybe |
| The road is blocked by something | Yes |
| To let emergency vehicles pass you | Yes |
| To avoid being involved in an accident | Yes |
| To pick up a passenger or set them down | Maybe |
However, even when the above applies to using a bus lane, you must exit the lane as soon as possible. But only when it’s safe to leave the lane.
What happens if you accidentally drive in a bus lane?
You could be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice even if you accidentally drive in a bus lane. The amount you’d pay differs in many regions of the country with the highest fine being in London.
But the issuer lets you pay 50% less if you pay within 14 days.
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When can you drive in a bus lane?
There are times when you can drive in a bus lane although this changes from city to city. In short, the hours that bus lanes are ‘in operation’ can vary which means checking the signs!
You can’t use a bus lane when it’s ‘in operation’. If you do and you’re caught, you’re fined!
Also worth noting is that some bus lanes are in operation 24 hours a day. So, you can’t drive, or park in them – ever!
How much is a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice?
As mentioned, the cost of a bus lane PCN differs from one region to another. For instance, when you’re caught driving in a bus lane in London, it could set you back over £100. Moreover, if you don’t pay within 28 days, the fine increases by 50%!
Elsewhere in the country, you may have to pay a £60 fine.
That said, when you settle the fine within 2 weeks, the issuer offers you a 50% discount. So, a £100 bus lane fine could turn into a £50 fine!
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Will a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice get you penalty points?
No. Getting a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice won’t get you any penalty points on your driving licence. However, if you ignore the PCN and you don’t pay the fine, you’ll get a CCJ on your credit history!
Lastly, pay or appeal bus lane Penalty Charge Notices?
Should you pay or appeal bus lane PCNs or should you ignore the fine? It’s definitely not a good idea to ignore any sort of Penalty Charge Notice. You could end up with a County Court Judgement when you do.
However, if you feel you’ve got grounds to challenge the fine, then you have the right to do so. Make sure you appeal the PCN within 2 weeks so if the issuer rejects it, you pay the reduced fine!
Alternatively, if the bus lane PCN is justified, paying it within 14 days means you get to pay 50% less. Which is always worth considering!
I hope the information in my post helps you decide how to deal with a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice so it doesn’t cost you a fortune!
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