Bus Lane PCN Appeal Letter Template – Free Sample

Did you receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for a bus lane offence and feel unsure about how to handle it?

You’ve come to the right place! Every month, more than 130,000 people visit our website seeking guidance on fines and parking tickets. 

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• What a bus lane PCN is, and why you might have received one.
• If you must pay it straight away.
• How to challenge the charge by using a bus lane appeal letter template.
• Cases where you might not have to pay the fine.
• What could happen if you decide not to pay.

We understand that receiving a PCN can be both annoying and puzzling, but you’re not alone. In fact, 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

Don’t worry! With our expertise, we’ll help you figure things out.

Why Did You Get One?

You are not allowed to drive in a bus lane, except in certain situations (which I will explain later).

You can find all of the rules related to bus lanes in the highway code.²

However, it is very easy to make a mistake, and drive in a bus lane without intending to, which could result in a bus lane fine in the form of a PCN.

Below are some examples of the mistakes that could lead to such a PCN being issued because you:

• Thought you could use the bus lane when turning left.
• Believed that if the bus lane was empty, you could use it.
• Inadvertently swerved into the bus lane for a short distance.
• Used the bus lane to turn left at a junction, as there was not enough room on the road.
• Were lost and concentrating on reading road signs, and you mistakenly entered the bus lane.
• Failed to see the signs denoting a bus lane.

How much is it?

In Greater London, a bus lane fine will set you back £160 but if you pay in within 14 days, the authority reduces it by 50% to £80.

But if you don’t pay the fine within 28 days, the fine increases to £240.

Outside London, a bus lane fine is £60 reduced to £30 if you settle it early within 14 days.

However, if you miss the 28 day deadline to pay, the fine increases to £90.

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

Do You Need To Pay?

In general, you will either need to pay the penalty charge or appeal against it and have it overturned.

You have 28-days from the date that the PCN was issued to make payment in full, you likely won’t be able to pay in instalments.

Local authorities offer a quick settlement incentive of 50% off the penalty charge if you pay in the first 14 days.

If you don’t pay within the 28-day period, you will be sent a charge certificate from the local court, demanding that you pay the penalty charge within 14-days.

There is no early settlement incentive available at this point and the fine increases by 50%.

Can I Challenge It?

You can appeal against a bus lane penalty charge.

It doesn’t matter how long after the offence the PCN was sent, you have 28-days from the date of issue to lodge your appeal.

Generally, you will have to appeal in writing (although some local authorities let you appeal online).

Here’s a quick table that will help you better understand how to appeal your bus lane PCN. For more information on PCNs, be sure to read 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.

Remember that once you have made your informal appeal, the council will generally reply within 28-days advising you that:

1. You won the appeal.
2. You lost the appeal.
3. The council wants you to provide additional evidence.

You can find some good examples of bus lane appeal letter templates online, which includes my appeal template.

How Can a Letter Help?

The letter you send as part of the appeal is important.

The structure of it needs to present the facts in the best light. And the content of it needs to explain very clearly why the PCN should be overturned.

These kinds of templates have been refined over time to find the most effective format.

And as such, are the perfect starting point for your own appeal.

Getting More Help and Advice

You can try searching online and doing some research to find out how others have used a bus lane appeal letter template successfully.

Use this information to shape your own appeal.

References

1. SkyNews – Parking Tickets Statistics  
2. GOV.UK – The Highway Code