Did you get a Bristol bus lane fine and not sure if you should pay or make an appeal?
This is the right place for you. Every month, over 130,000 people come to our website for advice about their bus lane fines and parking tickets.
In this piece, we will give you easy-to-understand information on:
- What a bus lane fine in Bristol is.
- If you really need to pay the Bristol bus lane fine.
- How to appeal a Bristol bus lane fine.
- Ways to avoid getting a bus lane fine.
- What can happen if you don’t pay the fine.
Churchill Motor Insurance reports that in 2022, UK councils issued an average of 19,631 daily parking fines, a 12% increase from the previous year.1 So you’re not alone!
Don’t worry; we have lots of helpful tips and examples to guide you through the process.
Let’s get started and discuss your options.
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How much is a Bristol bus lane fine?
A Bristol bus lane fine increased from £60 to £70 in May 2022.
You’ll now be asked to pay £70 if you use one of Bristol’s bus lanes, but the fine is reduced to £35 if you pay within 14 days.
Who has to pay a Bristol bus lane fine?
All Penalty Charge Notices must be paid by the registered keeper as shown by DVLA records.
The only time this isn’t the case is when the vehicle changed ownership and DVLA records don’t show the correct owner, although this may need to be proven to be the case.
It means that someone who borrows a car from someone else won’t be liable to pay a bus lane fine even when they committed a bus lane contravention.
Check the right challenge process
Check whether you need to make an informal challenge, formal representations or an independent tribunal appeal. Follow the route and deadline printed on your notice. London cases generally go to London Tribunals; relevant cases in England outside London and Wales go to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Other UK jurisdictions have different procedures.
General information. The procedure depends on the notice and jurisdiction. Check the issuer’s instructions.
Can you appeal a bus lane fine Bristol?
You do have the right to appeal a bus lane fine from Bristol Council if you submit the challenge by the deadline given.
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Whether or not a bus lane fine should be issued or not is fairly black or white because:
- The incident is recorded on cameras
- The driver only needs to enter the bus lane briefly once to be fined
- It doesn’t matter if you made a mistake and never used the bus lane on purpose
Nevertheless, reasons can be given to get out of the bus lane, and if proven to be true, the Penalty Charge Notice could be cancelled.
How do I appeal a bus lane fine in Bristol?
You can appeal a Bristol bus lane fine within the deadline by using the council’s website.
You can also write your appeal to:
Parking Services (PCN Appeals)
PO Box 3399
Bristol City Council
Bristol
BS1 9NE
Appeal Process Steps
To help you better understand the appeal process, I’ve put together this table.
If you want to learn more about your penalty charge notice, be sure to check out our detailed guide.
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| On receiving a council PCN | Read the notice, keep it, gather evidence and note all payment and challenge deadlines. |
| Windscreen or handed-to-driver PCN | An informal challenge may be available before the Notice to Owner. Early challenge can preserve a discount under the authority’s policy; 14 days is not a universal final appeal deadline. |
| Postal PCN or Notice to Owner | Normally make formal representations within 28 days as stated on the notice. Do not assume there is an extra informal stage. |
| Representations rejected | The Notice of Rejection explains how to appeal to the appropriate independent tribunal, normally within 28 days. |
| Appeal unsuccessful | Pay by the deadline given in the decision or obtain advice on any available review. Further statutory charges can follow if you do neither. |
| Other ticket type | Private parking charges and FPNs use different procedures; follow the actual notice. |
Further guidance: Traffic Penalty Tribunal; Citizens Advice.
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JustAnswer is a paid third-party question-and-answer service providing general information. Its standard service does not create a solicitor-client relationship. Membership can renew automatically with recurring charges until cancelled. Check the initial price, renewal price and cancellation terms before signing up. Buying this service does not guarantee a successful challenge. See JustAnswer’s membership and cancellation information.
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Good excuses for a Bristol bus lane fine
As mentioned, making a successful bus lane fine Bristol appeal can be challenging – but not out of the question.
Below are some appeal excuses that have worked for motorists in the past.
But they will only work if true and can be evidenced by CCTV footage or by supplying your own evidence, such as photos or dash cam footage.
- Your car was stolen and you have a police record to prove it
- The signs telling you when the bus lane is operating were damaged, removed or hidden from view
- You entered the bus lane to stop colliding with another vehicle or person
How do I contact Bristol Council?
I’ve listed how to contact Bristol Council in the table below.
| Pay Bristol bus lane fine online: | https://ocmlive.xrxpsc.com/bristol/OCM-FE/OCM/ |
| Appeal Bristol bus lane fine online: | https://ocmlive.xrxpsc.com/bristol/OCM-FE/OCM/ |
| Appeal Bristol bus lane fine by post: | Parking Services (PCN Appeals), PO Box 3399, Bristol City Council, Bristol, BS1 9NE. |
Bus lane fine Bristol – appeal or pay?
Because bus lane contraventions are caught on camera, and because you can be fined for making a mistake rather than using the bus lane on purpose, you’re going to need a good excuse to get out of it.
There are limited excuses that can work, but if you can truthfully use one of them then there is no reason not to appeal.
If you can’t make a good excuse or can’t evidence your arguments, it’s best to pay within 14 days to get money off your fine.
Whatever you do, never ignore the fine or it will grow bigger and escalate into court action.
Before using a paid legal information service
JustAnswer is a paid third-party question-and-answer service providing general information. Its standard service does not create a solicitor-client relationship. Membership can renew automatically with recurring charges until cancelled. Check the initial price, renewal price and cancellation terms before signing up. Buying this service does not guarantee a successful challenge. See JustAnswer’s membership and cancellation information.
A paid service is optional. Gather your notice and evidence, check the deadline and decide whether you need professional advice about your circumstances.
Commercial link to JustAnswer. MoneyNerd may receive a referral fee. Check all charges and cancellation terms before signing up.
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