Bus Lane Fine Cardiff - Do I Pay or Appeal?

Have you been given a Cardiff bus lane fine and are unsure if you should pay it or appeal?

This is the right spot for you to get answers. Every month, more than 130,000 people come to our website looking for guidance on fines and parking tickets.

This guide will give you clear and easy facts about:

What a bus lane fine is.
If you need to pay Cardiff bus lane fines.
How to fight a bus lane fine in Cardiff.
Tips on how to not get a bus lane fine.
What happens when you do not pay the fine.

Unfortunately, getting a PCN is quite common. In fact, Churchill Motor Insurance reported an 8% increase in penalty charge notices across Britain in 2021, with over 5.2 million issued.¹

Don’t worry, we have lots of handy tips and examples to help you with what to do next and what your options are.

Paid legal information from JustAnswer

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.

You can use the official challenge process without buying a paid service. If you choose to use JustAnswer, visit JustAnswer to read its service and payment terms.

Commercial link to JustAnswer. MoneyNerd may receive a referral fee. No successful outcome is guaranteed.

When can you drive in a bus lane in Cardiff?

You should avoid driving in a bus lane in Cardiff because they operate 24 hours a day, every day of the week!

The only vehicles allowed to use the bus lanes are:

Buses
Emergency services
Pedal bikes
Licenced Hackney Carriages
Motorbikes (without side cars)
Licenced vehicles for private hire

Can I ignore a bus lane fine Cardiff?

Don’t ignore a bus lane fine you get in Cardiff because the penalty could go up.

In short, you could end up paying a lot more than the original fine. Plus, the Council sends you a Charge Certificate, which you should not ignore.

Unfortunately, at this stage, the fine increases to £105, which must be paid within 14 days!

If you still don’t pay, Cardiff Council applies for a warrant to recover the amount owed. You’ll have to pay additional costs, which include enforcement agent (bailiff) and court fees!

Note: If the penalty charge notice remains unpaid, bailiffs could seize your possessions, or the Council could apply for a Third Party Debt Order!

I wasn’t driving when the bus lane fine was issued. Am I still liable?

If you’re the registered keeper, you are liable for the penalty charge even if you weren’t the driver when it was issued!

The only exception is when the vehicle is on hire!

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

What happens if I don’t pay a bus lane charge?

When you don’t pay the bus lane fine, the amount increases by 50%.

So, the original £70 fine goes up to £105. Plus, the Council registers the fine as a debt if the fine remains unpaid.

Enforcement officers (bailiffs) will execute a warrant to recover the outstanding amount!

How do I appeal a bus lane fine Cardiff?

You can appeal a bus lane fine when you feel the penalty charge is unjust.

You must file your appeal within 28 days of getting the PCN. Any later, and the Council will not consider it.

Also, you can’t appeal the PCN if you’ve already paid it!

When you appeal the penalty charge, the Council puts everything on hold until they decide whether the fine is justified or not.

You should get a decision within 56 days.

If you don’t want to file an appeal online, you can make a representation in writing to:

Parking Services
PO Box 47
Cardiff
CF11 1QB

Appeal Process Steps

As mentioned earlier, if you believe the PCN was unfairly issued, you have the right to make an appeal.

I’ve created this table to help you understand the steps you should take during the appeal process. If you want to learn more about your PCN, please 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.

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.

Get started

General information. The procedure depends on the notice and jurisdiction. Check the issuer’s instructions.

What happens if Cardiff Council rejects my appeal?

You have the option to take the matter to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal if your appeal is unsuccessful.

The Council sends you a Notice of Rejection which provides information on how to file the appeal.

Note: When you take an appeal to the tribunal, you lose the chance to pay the discounted fine! Plus, a tribunal decision is final.

What is the Traffic Penalty Tribunal?

The Traffic Penalty Tribunal is an independent adjudicator. Their role is to assess whether your appeal should be upheld or rejected.

As previously mentioned, the tribunal’s decision is final and both parties must respect it.

Legal information through JustAnswer

Get started

Historical JustAnswer review image. The displayed rating and review total are not live. Reviews do not predict your case outcome. Membership fees and renewal terms apply.

Lastly, should you pay or appeal a bus lane fine Cardiff?

You have the right to appeal a bus lane fine you get in Cardiff.

However, you need to provide evidence to support the appeal, or the Council will reject it.

Most penalty charges for bus lane offences are backed up by photographic evidence. In short, it could be hard to challenge the fine.

Sometimes paying the fine within 14 days is the less stressful option. Plus, you get to pay half the amount!

Before using a paid legal information service

A paid service is optional. Gather your notice and evidence, check the deadline and decide whether you need professional advice about your circumstances.

Get started

Commercial link to JustAnswer. MoneyNerd may receive a referral fee. Check all charges and cancellation terms before signing up.