Bus Lane PCN: 8 Grounds That Actually Win Appeals
Bus Lane PCN: 8 Grounds That Actually Win Appeals
Received a bus lane penalty charge notice? Before you pay, read this. Around 40% of bus lane PCNs that are formally contested are either cancelled by the issuing authority or overturned at the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT).
How the appeal process works
1. Informal challenge — Within 28 days of receiving the PCN, write to the authority. They must reply.
2. Formal representation — If the informal challenge fails (or if the PCN is at Notice to Owner stage), you can make a formal representation. If rejected, you get a Notice of Rejection.
3. Traffic Penalty Tribunal — Independent adjudicators. Free. Binding on the authority. Around 55% of cases that reach TPT result in cancellation.
The 8 grounds that work
1. Signage non-compliance
Bus lane signs must comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD 2016). The sign must be the prescribed design, placed at the correct location, and clearly visible. Faded, obscured, or incorrectly positioned signs are a strong ground. Request the Traffic Regulation Order and photographs of the signage.
2. Outside operating hours
Most bus lanes only operate at certain times (e.g. 07:00–10:00 and 16:00–19:00 Mon–Fri). If your contravention allegedly occurred outside those hours, the PCN is invalid. The times must be stated on the sign. Compare the alleged time on your PCN against the sign hours.
3. Permitted turn exemption
Traffic Regulation Orders for bus lanes often include exemptions for vehicles making a permitted turn at a junction. If you entered the bus lane to turn, this may be a complete defence. The TRO (obtainable from the council or via FOI) will state what is permitted.
4. Obstruction / emergency
If you entered the bus lane to avoid a parked vehicle, obstruction, road traffic incident, or to give way to an emergency vehicle, this is an absolute defence. Dashcam footage is gold here. Even a consistent written account can work.
5. CCTV/ANPR camera not approved
Cameras used to enforce bus lane contraventions must be approved under the Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices) Order 2022. Request evidence that the specific camera used was approved. Councils sometimes cannot produce this.
6. PCN not served correctly
For postal PCNs, the notice must be served within 28 days of the alleged contravention. Late service = invalid PCN. Check the date the PCN was sent (not received — check the postmark or envelope date if retained).
7. Wrong vehicle / misread plate
ANPR errors are more common than councils admit. If the plate on the PCN doesn't match your vehicle, or the vehicle pictured isn't yours, challenge it immediately and provide your V5C as evidence.
8. TRO defect
The Traffic Regulation Order itself may have a procedural defect — improper consultation, wrong procedure, or an error in the order document. This is rare but powerful. Request the TRO under the Freedom of Information Act.
How to write the appeal
Be specific. Reference the legal basis. Reference the TSRGD 2016 by name. Reference the TRO if you have it. Attach any supporting evidence (photographs of signage, dashcam screenshots, witness statements).
Don't apologise. Don't say you "didn't realise" you were in the bus lane. Challenge the legal and evidential basis. The council must prove the contravention on the balance of probabilities.
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