Birmingham Bus Lane Fine – Pay or Appeal?
Have you received a Birmingham bus lane fine and feeling unsure about what to do next? This is the right place for you. Every month, more than 130,000 people turn to our website for advice on fines and parking tickets.
In this article, we will guide you through:
- Understanding what a bus lane fine in Birmingham is.
- Whether or not it’s necessary to pay Birmingham bus lane fines.
- How and when you can appeal a Birmingham bus lane fine.
- Tips to help you avoid future bus lane fines.
- What could happen if you decide to ignore the fine.
We understand that receiving a bus lane fine can be a source of concern. After all, StepChange indicates that local authorities, responsible for penalty charge notices, may unfairly treat debtors during debt collection. 1
But don’t worry; we are here to provide you with useful information. With our advice and examples, navigating this process will be a breeze.
Most Appeals Succeed
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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*Around 35,000 people dispute their tickets each year with the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, and a striking 64% of those appeals are successful, so it’s well worth a try.
What is a bus lane fine in Birmingham?
You can see which lanes in Birmingham are for “buses only” as they are identifiable by the words ‘bus lane’.
Plus, they have boundary marks of solid white lines.
From time to time, though, in heavy traffic, these can be difficult to see.
Unless there are times given on the bus lane, they are in operation 24/7 – which means you are never allowed to drive on them with any other vehicle.
Birmingham also operates bus-only streets, meaning only buses are permitted to use them.
Where are the bus lanes in Birmingham?
Birmingham council has a handy directory of all of the bus lanes in the city, as well as one for the bus gates and bus-only roads.
You can view them all and decide on your travel before you leave to avoid driving on the bus lane in the future.
You can expect to see more bus-only lanes the further you get into the main city centre.
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How much is a Birmingham bus lane fine?
A bus lane fine in Birmingham increased from the 31st of May 2022 from £60 to £70.
However, if you pay your bus lane fine within 21 days, you will get a 50% reduction, meaning your fine will be £35.
You will not receive points on your license for driving in the bus lanes in Birmingham.
Can I ignore a bus lane fine in Birmingham?
You should never ignore any PCN or FPF that you receive.
If no action is taken, the issuer can escalate the matter and register the fine as a debt.
The cost will increase, and bailiffs may contact you.
Birmingham Bus Lane Fine – Pay or Appeal?
Your particular situation will determine whether you should pay or contest your Birmingham bus lane fine.
If you have grounds for appeal, such as road closures or unclear signs, it may be worthwhile to challenge the decision.
If your appeal is rejected, you can still benefit from the early repayment if you decide not to take it further provided you challenged the fine within 14 days.
Many people prefer to pay the initial fine in the early-repayment period and avoid the hassle of the appeal process.
Ultimately the decision to pay or appeal comes down to your circumstances.
If you received a PCN, but it was not for driving in a bus lane, here is a help guide Birmingham PCN – Pay or Appeal? 2022 Laws.
You can also find information about council parking fines through Birmingham and the West Midlands. As well as detailed guides covering private parking tickets.
Appeal Process Steps
You have the right to challenge your bus lane fine if you believe it has been incorrectly issued.
If you intend to appeal, do this as soon as possible after receiving your PCN.
To view the information about your contravention and begin the appeal process, you can head to the online form for Birmingham city council.
I’ve put together this quick table to help you better understand how to appeal your penalty charge notice.
If you want to learn more about PCNs, be sure to check out our specialized guide.
| Process: | Steps you should take: |
|---|---|
| When you receive the ticket… | You should gather as much evidence as you can to support your appeal claim and prove that the ticket was unfairly issued. |
| If you were given the ticket in person/attached to your car… | You must make an informal appeal (sent to the local authority/council that issued the PCN) within 14 days. This should be a letter with the evidence proving why the ticket was incorrectly given. |
| If it was posted to you… | You will be given 21 days to submit an informal appeal (from the day you received the letter). Your informal appeal should be a letter with the evidence proving why the ticket was incorrectly given. |
| If the informal appeal is rejected… | You will receive a Notice to Owner and will have 28 days to respond to this with a formal appeal. You can conduct the formal appeal online or via paper form. The Traffic Penalty Tribunal can send you one of these forms. |
| If the formal appeal is rejected… | You will receive a Notice of Rejection. From here, you are free to challenge the council’s verdict at an independent tribunal. |
| If the independent tribunal disagrees with your appeal… | You should pay the ticket within 28 days of the tribunal rejecting your appeal. If you don’t, the fine will be increased by 50%. If you don’t have the money to pay the fine, you should contact Citizens Advice or another debt charity. |
Here is a handy template to help you with your appeal; it can be modified to suit your situation: PCN Appeal Letter Template – Free Sample
If your bus lane fine appeal is rejected, you have the right to escalate and take your appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
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.
How can you pay a Birmingham bus lane fine?
You can pay your Birmingham bus lane online by heading to their payment portal.
You’ll need:
- Your vehicle registration
- The PCN reference number (it is ten digits long)
- The card you wish to use to make payment.
If you have lost your original PCN, you can call: 0121 675 2000 Monday – Friday 9 am until 5 pm.
Birmingham council recommends you wait 24 hours after receiving your PCN to pay online.
If you have difficulty paying online, you can call to make a payment or pay by post.
The Birmingham City Council bus lane fine number is 0121 667 4964; this line is open 24 hours a day, so you can pay your fine at a time that suits you.
Birmingham city council also accepts postal orders and cheques. To pay your bus lane fine by post, here is what you’ll need:
- The slip on your PCN
- A postal order or cheque made out to ‘Birmingham City Council (Highways)’
Send these to:
Birmingham City Council (Highways)
PO Box 77
Birmingham B4 7WA
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Can I use a PayPoint to pay Birmingham bus lane fine?
Yes, Birmingham city council accepts cash payments through PayPoint outlets.
To make the payment, you must bring your PCN with you, and they will scan the barcode.
Do not pay if you wish to appeal your Birmingham bus lane fine.
How long after driving in a bus lane will I receive a Birmingham bus lane fine?
Birmingham council has 14 days to request your information from the DVLA and 28 days to serve the PCN.
If they fail to issue the PCN in that time frame, they have run out of time.
The PCN will be sent to the registered vehicle owner.
The only occasion the council may be allowed longer than 28 days is when the DVLA admits that they have slowed the process. If you receive your PCN after the time limit, this can be grounds for an appeal.
Birmingham City Council Contact Details
| Bus lane fine number: | 0121 667 4964 |
| Lost PCN number: | 0121 675 2000 |
| Address: | Birmingham City Council (Highways) PO Box 77, Birmingham B4 7WA |
Hire a Solicitor for less than a coffee.
If you’re thinking about appealing your bus lane fine 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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