Pay or Appeal Transport for London Penalty Charge? Easy Guide
Have you got a penalty charge notice (PCN) from Transport for London (TFL)? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Every month, over 32,000 people visit our site for advice on tickets and fines, just like you.
In this easy guide, we’ll tell you:
- Why you might get a TFL fine
- Who gets these penalty charges
- What happens if you don’t pay on time
- How to fight your PCN
- How much a TFL fine might cost
We know how it feels to get a PCN – it can be scary to think about not paying fines and what might happen. But we have the right information to help you make a good choice.
So, take a deep breath, and let’s find out how you can deal with your TFL PCN.
Do You Have to Pay?
In some circumstances, you might have a legitimate reason not to pay your 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.
Chat below to get started with JustAnswer
In partnership with Just Answer.
How to avoid paying a TFL PCN
If you want to avoid paying a Transport for London PCN then 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.
Click here to get the trial offer with JustAnswer.
Why would you get a Transport for London (TFL) fine?
The Transport for London (TFL) is charged with issuing Penalty Charge Notices when you commit a traffic offence in the capital.
It’s a government authority that’s responsible for several things which include:
- BusesTrains
- Cycling routes
- London Underground
- The transport network in the capital
On top of the above, TFL is also responsible for overseeing Ultra-low Emissions Zone and the London Congestion Charge.
You’d get a PCN if you parked on a red route or because:
- You drove in a bus lane when it’s not permitted
- You didn’t pay a London Congestion Charge on time
- Parked on a Red Route
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.
Can you appeal a TFL penalty charge?
You have the right to appeal a TFL penalty charge by following the official appeals process. Moreover, you must appeal the fine within the 28-day deadline. That said, if you want to file an appeal, you should try to do it earlier.
For example, when you appeal a PCN within two weeks, you could pay a lesser fine if your appeal is rejected.
How do you appeal a TFL fine?
You have several options to pay a TFL penalty charge. That said, the appeal must be in writing.
I’ve listed how here:
| By post | Red routes PO Box 335Darlington DL1 9PU |
| Online | https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/red-routes/penalty-charge-notices/make-a-representation#on-this-page-0 |
» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer
What evidence do you need to appeal a TFL fine?
You must provide supporting evidence with your appeal. Also, you’ll have to provide your registration details and the PCN reference number.
The sort of supporting evidence could include:
- Witness statements
- Photographs
- Invoices from a recovery truck if you broke down
Transport for London puts things on hold once your appeal is received. It means no further action is taken while your appeal is assessed. You will then be told whether your appeal is upheld or rejected.
The authority may get in touch to request further information too.
Check out how a motorist had an appeal rejected even with a good excuse:
Source: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6280281/tfl-appeal
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Getting the support of a Solicitor can take a huge weight off your mind.
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What reasons could you appeal a TFL fine?
There are seven reasons why you could appeal a TFL penalty charge which I’ve listed here:
- You didn’t own the vehicle when the offence occurred
- No offence was committed
- You weren’t within a charging area during ‘charging hours’ (congestion charge)
- Your vehicle was stolen at the time of the offence
- The amount payable is overly expensive and above the amount on the notice
- You are a rental company and the vehicle was out on hire when the charge was issued
- Mitigating circumstances led to the offence being committed
Can you ignore a TFL fine?
No. Things go south pretty quickly if you ignore a TFL penalty charge. First, you’ll get a Charge Certificate and the fine goes up by 50%. So instead of paying £160, you’d have to pay £240!
You’d have a further 14 days to pay the increased fine and when you don’t an Order of Recovery is issued. The fine becomes a ‘debt’ at this stage and the details are recorded at the Traffic Enforcement Centre.
A fee is also added to the fine making it even more expensive!
You’d have another 21 days to pay the debt before bailiffs (enforcement agents) get involved. At this stage, the fine goes up again because of the bailiff fees!
Hire a Parking 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.
In partnership with Just Answer.
