Last reviewed: 30 April 2026 | Sources: Traffic Management Act 2004, London Tribunals, Traffic Penalty Tribunal, GOV.UK
TL;DR — Quick Summary
A bus lane Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is issued by a local council under the Traffic Management Act 2004. It is a statutory civil penalty — legally different from a private parking charge. You have 14 days to pay at 50% discount, or you can appeal informally within 14 days (keeping the discount alive). Formal appeals go to London Tribunals (London) or the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (outside London) — both free and independent.
Key Facts
- PCN amount: typically £90 in London, £70 outside London (Band A); reduced 50% if paid within 14 days
- Informal challenge: within 28 days — keeps 50% discount alive if submitted within 14 days
- Formal appeal: to London Tribunals (London PCNs) or Traffic Penalty Tribunal (outside London)
- Statutory authority: Traffic Management Act 2004 — these are NOT private charges
- Bus lane operating hours vary by road — check the signs carefully before appealing on operational hours grounds
- CCTV and ANPR evidence: you have the right to request this before or during your appeal
What is a bus lane PCN?
A bus lane Penalty Charge Notice is issued by a local authority (council) when a vehicle is detected driving in a bus lane during its operational hours. Enforcement is typically by fixed CCTV cameras or mobile enforcement vehicles. The notice is sent by post to the registered keeper of the vehicle within 28 days of the alleged contravention.
Bus lane PCNs are statutory civil penalties issued under the Traffic Management Act 2004 (or the Road Traffic Act 1991 for older schemes in London). They are legally distinct from private parking charges — they carry enforcement powers that private operators do not have, and the appeal system is through independent statutory tribunals, not trade association schemes like POPLA.
PCN amounts and early payment discount
| Location | Full PCN amount | Reduced (within 14 days) |
|---|---|---|
| London (Transport for London and borough councils) | £90 (Band 1 contravention) | £45 |
| Outside London — Band A (major contraventions) | £70 | £35 |
| Outside London — Band B (minor contraventions) | £50 | £25 |
The 50% early payment discount window is 14 days from the date of the PCN. If you challenge informally within 14 days and your challenge is rejected, you typically retain the right to pay at the discounted rate for a further 14 days after the rejection — but this depends on the specific council's policy and should be confirmed in their rejection letter.
The two-stage appeal process
Stage 1 — Informal challenge to the issuing authority: Written challenge sent to the council or TfL (London) within 28 days of the PCN. There is no required format — write clearly, state your grounds, and attach all evidence. If you submit within 14 days, the 50% discount is preserved during the challenge period. The council must respond within 56 days. They may accept the challenge (PCN cancelled), reject it (issuing a Notice to Owner/Charge Certificate), or offer a discount.
Stage 2 — Formal appeal to independent tribunal: If Stage 1 is rejected, you receive a Notice to Owner. You must respond within 28 days — either paying the full amount or filing a formal appeal. London PCNs appeal to London Tribunals (londontribunals.gov.uk). All other England and Wales PCNs appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk). Both are entirely independent of local councils, free to use, and their decisions are binding on the issuing authority.
Strongest grounds for a bus lane PCN appeal
- Outside operational hours: Bus lanes have restricted hours shown on blue signs at the lane entrance. If the contravention timestamp is outside those hours, the charge should not have been issued. Request the CCTV footage timestamp and compare it against the signs. Even a one-minute discrepancy outside operational hours is a valid ground.
- Incorrect vehicle identification: CCTV or ANPR may capture the wrong registration plate or misread a character. Request the CCTV footage. If the vehicle shown is not yours, state this clearly with photographic evidence of your vehicle's identifying features.
- Exempt vehicle category: Certain vehicles may use bus lanes during their operational hours, including: buses, licensed taxis (black cabs in London — not all private hire), cycles and motorcycles (depending on local scheme), and emergency vehicles. Check the bus lane signs — some explicitly permit motorcycles or cycles. If your vehicle is in an exempt category, appeal on this ground.
- Statutory exemption — loading/unloading: Vehicles making deliveries may be permitted to stop briefly in bus lanes in some circumstances. This is scheme-specific — check the Traffic Regulation Order for the specific road.
- PCN served out of time: The council must serve the PCN within 28 days of the contravention. A PCN served after 28 days is invalid and must be cancelled.
- Procedural errors on the PCN: The PCN must contain specific statutory information. Missing or inaccurate information (wrong contravention code, incorrect date or time, missing statutory appeal information) can invalidate the notice.
How to request CCTV evidence
You have the right to request CCTV footage of the alleged contravention before or during your appeal. Make this request in writing to the issuing authority at the same time as your informal challenge. The council must provide a copy — typically as a video file or by secure online access. Review it carefully: check the timestamp against the operational hours shown on the bus lane signs, check the vehicle registration captured against your vehicle, and check whether any entry into the lane was to avoid an obstruction (this can be a mitigating factor).
What happens if you ignore a bus lane PCN
Unlike a private parking charge, a council PCN has statutory enforcement powers. The escalation is:
- Day 29: Notice to Owner issued if no payment or challenge — full charge now due
- If Notice to Owner ignored: Charge Certificate issued, amount increases by 50% (so £90 becomes £135)
- After Charge Certificate: debt registered at the Traffic Enforcement Centre (County Court)
- After registration: council can instruct certificated enforcement agents (bailiffs) without a further court hearing
Once a Charge Certificate is issued you lose the right to appeal to the independent tribunal. Acting promptly within the 28-day formal appeal window is essential.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in a bus lane if I'm a taxi driver?
Licensed hackney carriages (black cabs) are generally permitted to use bus lanes in London. Private hire vehicles (minicabs, Uber) are generally not permitted. Outside London, rules vary by scheme — check the specific Traffic Regulation Order for the road.
Can I use a bus lane to avoid an obstruction?
Entering a bus lane to avoid an obstruction (e.g. a broken-down vehicle) may be a mitigating circumstance but is not an automatic exemption. Raise it in your informal challenge with evidence such as photographs of the obstruction. The council or tribunal has discretion to cancel the PCN on this basis.
Does a bus lane PCN go on my driving licence?
No. A bus lane PCN is a civil penalty — it does not result in penalty points on your driving licence or a criminal record. It is enforced through the civil courts.
What if I was driving a hire or leased vehicle?
The PCN will be sent to the registered keeper (the hire company). Hire companies are entitled to pass the liability to the hirer under the Traffic Management Act — they will typically charge you the PCN amount plus an admin fee. Check your hire agreement. If you believe the PCN is invalid, you must raise this with the hire company before the deadline — they will not automatically appeal on your behalf.
Is there a time limit for the tribunal appeal?
Yes — 28 days from the date of the Notice to Owner. Missing this deadline means the council can issue a Charge Certificate and enforcement follows without further appeal opportunity. If you missed the deadline due to circumstances outside your control (hospitalisation, postal failure), the tribunal may accept a late appeal — apply immediately with full explanation.
Sources: Traffic Management Act 2004 | London Tribunals — londontribunals.gov.uk | Traffic Penalty Tribunal — trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk | GOV.UK — Penalty charge notices | TfL — Bus lane enforcement, tfl.gov.uk.
Informational only — not legal advice. See our UK Fines and Appeals hub.
