You can ask our solicitors online for advice on bus lane fine using the question box on the front of our website or the following free legal advice guide may answer your questions. 

Bus lane contraventions carry higher penalties.  The uthorities regularly rely upon CCTV to enforce these bus lane fine.  Every lane has its own hours of operation which can and do lead the motorist to become confused and end up with a £120 fine.  These are worth appealing.

The first thing to check is the sign indicating the hours of operation.  If you were not in the lane during the prohibited times, then the lane was open to all traffic and your bus lane fine can and should be appealed.

Bus Lane Signs

The second are the warning signs.  There must be an advance sign to warn you of the bus lane ahead.  There must be a sign at the beginning of the bus lane.  There must be regularly repeater signs warning motorists of the contravention.  They must be no less than 300m apart.

Road Markings

To check the road markings.  A bus lane should commence with a diagonal taper in the form of dashed line approximately 30m long.  It must otherwise be signified by a thick solid white line.  The words ‘BUS LANE’ should be written at the start of the lane and at regularly intervals no less than every 300m.

A bus lane contravention must be covered by a Traffic Order.  The order must stipulate the exact location of the lane and its hours of operation.  These must match the ones that the Council seek to enforce.  If there is any variation, the fine cannot be enforced against you.

Bus Lane Fine – Evidence

If you get a PCN and want to see video evidence of your vehicle using a bus lane, you can request to see the video. You will normally be able to view  via a link online.

The video will only be available to the person issued the bus lane ticket and is not available for the general public to view, as the PCN number and vehicle registration number must be entered to see the video.

Notice to Owner

If a PCN is not paid within 28 days, a Notice to Owner will be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle unless you appeal the bus lane fine.

When a Notice to Owner has been sent, the PCN must be paid within 28 days or a Charge Certificate will be issued. The effect of a Charge Certificate is to increase the amount from £90 to £135.

If you did not receive the bus lane Penalty Charge Notice but have received a Notice to Owner asking you to pay £90, you won’t be able to pay the discounted rate of £45 as this is only available for 14 days from the date of issue of the Penalty Charge Notice.