Bus Lane Fine Warrington – Do I Pay or Appeal? 

Have you received a Warrington bus lane fine, and you’re unsure about what to do next?

Don’t worry; you’ve come to the right place for answers. Each month, over 130,000 people visit our website looking for advice on their bus lane fines and parking tickets.

This article will explain:

• What a bus lane fine is.
• If you must pay the Warrington bus lane fine.
• Steps to appeal a bus lane fine in Warrington.
• Ways to avoid a bus lane fine.
• What happens if you forget about the fine.

Getting a bus lane fine can be scary. After all, StepChange indicates that local authorities, responsible for penalty charge notices, may unfairly treat debtors during debt collection.¹

Don’t worry, we’re here to help you prevent this situation. Our website is full of useful tips and examples to assist you.

Why would I be given a bus lane fine?

You can’t drive in a bus lane when it’s in operation, which is typical during peak times.

According to the Highway Code (rule 141), bus lane signs must clearly state the rules.

There are times when you may enter a bus lane – but only when it’s allowed, and in some towns, bus lanes operate 24 hours a day for seven days a week.

Motorists could be caught on camera (ANPR) using the bus lane when it’s not permitted. So, you could receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) in the post if you’re the registered keeper.

Authorities access your details through the DVLA.

Even when you drive in a Warrington bus lane when it’s not permitted by mistake, you could still get a PCN!

Do you get penalty points for driving in a bus lane?

You shouldn’t get penalty points on your licence for driving in a bus lane because it’s a civil matter.

As such, your car insurance should not be impacted.

What should I do when I receive a Warrington bus lane fine?

You’ll get the penalty charge notice in the mail because bus lane fines issued in Warrington are sent in line with Dept of Transport guidelines.

Note: The contractor who issues PCNs for the local authority is NSL.

When it arrives, don’t ignore the PCN because things can quickly escalate and get more expensive.

You can pay the fine within 21 days to pay the lesser amount of £35.

Or, when you feel the fine is wrong and you didn’t commit the offence, you can file an appeal against the PCN in writing.

PCN Common Defences

Appealing a Penalty Charge Notice for driving in a bus lane can be challenging. However, if you know how to make use of common defences like pointing out unclear signage, you stand a much better chance of winning your appeal.

There are a few common PCN defences that you can use if you decide to appeal your ticket.

How much is a Warrington bus lane fine?

When you’re caught driving in a Warrington bus lane when it’s not allowed, the fine is £70.

But if you pay the PCN within 21 days of getting it, the amount is reduced to £35.

However, if the fine remains unpaid after 8 days, the amount goes up to £105!

How much does Warrington make through bus lane fines?

Warrington Council made £1,039,000 in income through bus lane penalty charge notices from April 1^st, 2021, and March 31^st, 2022.

It showed an increase over the previous year when they made £938,000.

Should I ignore a Warrington bus lane fine?

No. As mentioned, when you ignore a Warrington bus lane fine, the amount goes up to £105 plus any other costs and fees.

You’ll get a Charge Certificate which you must pay within 14 days.

The authority will apply for a Warrant of Execution when you ignore the Charge Certificate, and the PCN remains unpaid.

In addition, you’ll have to deal with enforcement officers (bailiffs) at this stage, which again incurs more costs.

Note: You could end up with a Third Party Debt Order when you ignore a bus lane fine!

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

Am I liable for a bus lane fine if I wasn’t driving when the PCN was issued?

The registered keeper is liable for the Warrington bus lane fine even if they weren’t driving when the PCN was issued.

So, if you are the registered keeper, you’ll be sent the penalty charge through the post, and you’ll be liable.

You can either pay or appeal the fine but not both.

What happens when you don’t pay a Warrington bus lane fine?

The fine amount increases by 50% when you don’t pay the PCN within the deadline.

In short, if the bus lane fine remains unpaid after 28 days of receiving it, you’ll pay £105.

When the fine remains unpaid, and you ignore all correspondence, bailiffs are instructed to execute a warrant to recover the amount owed.

Of course, this includes all the extra costs and fees you’ve incurred!

How do you appeal a bus lane fine Warrington?

You must appeal a Warrington bus lane fine in writing.

You can opt to send your appeal through the mail or by email.

The address to send the appeal is:

Warrington Notice Processing
PO Box 229
Sheffield, S98 1PF

You must provide the following information when you make an appeal against a Warrington bus lane fine:

• Vehicle registration number (VRN)
• Penalty charge notice reference number
• The date the fine was issued
• The reason why you’re challenging the PCN

You can also include information on who was driving and whether the vehicle was hired.

Plus, if the PCN was issued after you sold the vehicle or before you purchased it, you can include the information in your written appeal.

Be sure to provide proof, though.

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When can you drive in a bus lane in Warrington?

Motorists can drive in bus lanes during specific times.

But this can change from bus lane to bus lane. The operational hours are typically 7.30 – 9.30 am and 4.30 – 6.30 pm.

As such, you can’t use a bus lane during these hours.

But you can drive in them outside of these hours. That said, you should always check the signs at the beginning of bus lanes before entering them!

The vehicles that can use bus lanes when they are operational include:

• Emergency services
• Police
• Fire engines
• Pedal bikes
• Licenced Hackney Carriages
• Motorbikes (without side cars)
• Licenced vehicles for private hire

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

You could challenge the PCN when you believe a Warrington bus lane fine is unjust or you didn’t commit the offence.

But make sure you have enough evidence to support your appeal.

On the other hand, you could pay the PCN within 21 days of getting it, so you pay the lesser amount of £35.

But only after you are sure the fine is justified and issued correctly!

The problem is that most Warrington bus lane fines are backed up by photographic evidence.

So, unless the ANPR got it wrong, you may have to pay the fine. But always check the details first!

References

1. StepChange -Creditor and debt collector conduct.