Should I Pay or Appeal a Cardiff Bus Lane Fine?
Have you been hit with a Cardiff bus lane fine? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Each month, over 32,000 people seek advice from this page in the same boat as you. It can seem a bit scary, but there’s no need to panic.
In this article, we’ll help you understand:
- What a Cardiff bus lane fine is.
- How to appeal and possibly avoid paying your fine.
- What happens if you drive in a bus lane by mistake.
- The cost of the fine for driving in the bus lane in Wales.
- Where to find more help if you need it.
We know how tough it can be to face a fine. Our team has guided lots of people in your situation. So, take a moment and get ready to learn how you can deal with your Cardiff bus lane fine.
Remember, don’t rush to pay your fine. You might be able to cut it in half or even avoid paying it altogether. Let’s explore these options together.
Do You Have To Pay?
In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your bus lane fine.
It’s a bit sneaky, but the last time I needed legal advice, I paid £5 for a trial to chat with an online solicitor called JustAnswer.
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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How to avoid paying Cardiff bus lane fines
If you want to avoid paying a Cardiff bus lane fine you’ll need an airtight appeal.
The best way to perfect your appeal is getting a little advice from a Solicitor. I’d 100% recommend spending a fiver to get a trial of JustAnswer.
You can explain your situation in their chat and they’ll connect you with a Solicitor who can advise you and give you the best chance to win your appeal.
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Where are the bus lane cameras in Cardiff?
There are several bus lanes in Cardiff and it’s best to assume that all of them have cameras that could spot a bus lane infringement. The council has recently increased the number of cameras on its bus lanes.
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.
What happens if you drive in a bus lane by mistake in Cardiff?
If you drive in a bus lane in Cardiff by mistake you could be fined, but it depends on whether the bus lane was operational at the time. If the bus lane was in effect, the registered vehicle owner will receive a Cardiff Council bus lane fine in the post.
Bus lanes are implemented to help public transport run smoothly and on time even during peak times of traffic. This is why other vehicles aren’t permitted to use bus lanes. However, there could be days or times of the day when the bus lane isn’t operational, meaning any vehicle can use the bus lane during these hours.
The operation times of a bus lane are usually stated on road markings and roadside signs. If you cannot see when the bus lane is operational, it’s best to assume that it is always in effect and you shouldn’t drive in it.
Should I pay or appeal a Cardiff bus lane fine?
You should only appeal with honest excuses. If you do wish to appeal, it’s advantageous to make your appeal within the first 21 days.
When you do this, the council will hold the 50% reduced rate, so if your appeal gets rejected you will still only have to pay £35. This can be good if you simply want to buy yourself some extra time to get the money.
However, you will lose this discounted rate if the appeal is escalated to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
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Cardiff bus lane fine appeals
An appeal – also called a representation – can only be lodged within the first 28 days. After this time the council will only accept an appeal in exceptional circumstances, such as you were in hospital and weren’t able to appeal in time.
An appeal is made directly to the council in one of two ways:
- You can appeal online using the council’s online portal
- You can appeal in writing by sending your appeal to Parking Services, PO Box 47, Cardiff, CF11 1QB
Both appeal methods will require you to have your Penalty Charge Notice number and your vehicle registration number. You will then need to state the reason you wish to appeal the fine and ideally provide supporting evidence, such as photos.
Because most bus lane contraventions are caught on camera, the council will have photographic and video evidence of your vehicle driving in the bus lane. But there are some stories of people being caught by on-duty officers as well, such as this one:
Source: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2520237/bus-lane-fine-please-help
Cardiff Council only needs to prove that you entered the bus lane momentarily to make the fine stand, so you won’t be able to argue a momentary lapse of concentration. Similarly, you won’t be able to blame a sat-nav.
But there are some excuses to appeal a bus lane fine. You might argue that you entered the bus lane only to allow an emergency services vehicle to pass quickly, or you might argue that the road signage stating the bus lane times was missing, hidden by overgrown trees or giving incorrect information. The council has 56 days to respond.
Remember, you won’t be able to appeal by stating you weren’t driving. If you’re the vehicle owner then it is your liability to pay the Cardiff Council PCN.
How much is the fine for driving in the bus lane in Wales?
A bus lane fine in Cardiff is currently £70. This fine must be paid within 28 days or further action will be taken, which can be costly to the vehicle owner.
Interestingly, the vehicle owner is the person who cops the fine, even if someone else was driving their vehicle at the time.
Hire a Solicitor for less than a coffee.
If you’re thinking about appealing your parking ticket then getting some professional advice is a good idea.
Getting the support of a Solicitor can make your appeal much more likely to win.
For a £5 trial, Solicitors from JustAnswer can look at your case and help you create an airtight appeal.
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Get 50% off your Cardiff Council bus lane fine
You can get 50% off your Cardiff Council bus lane fine quite easily. All you need to do to half your fine to £35 is to pay it within 21 days rather than the 28-day deadline.
This is even better than most other councils, which only offer a 50% discount if the fine is paid within 14 days.
Do I have to pay a Cardiff bus lane fine?
You should either pay or appeal your bus lane fine in Cardiff within 28 days. You won’t be able to do both as once it’s paid the matter is considered closed.
No further action will be taken against you if you appeal. Cardiff Council cannot increase the fine or anything else while your appeal is being considered.
What if my Cardiff Council bus lane fine appeal gets rejected?
If your Cardiff bus lane fine appeal gets rejected you can escalate the appeal. You can do this by lodging your appeal to an independent tribunal called the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
Cardiff Council should provide instructions on how to do this when they send their appeal rejection notice, and you can find further information on the Traffic Penalty Tribunal website.
