Bus Lane PCN: pay or appeal your TfL PCN
A London bus lane Penalty Charge Notice can come from TfL or from your borough council, depending on the road. Check who issued it, pay within 14 days to halve the charge, or challenge it if it is wrong.
Bus Lane PCN amounts (current rates)How much is a Bus Lane PCN?
A bus lane PCN can be issued by TfL if the bus lane is on the TfL Road Network, or by your London borough council if it's on a borough road, check which authority is named on your PCN, because that decides who you pay and challenge. Paying within 14 days cuts the charge in half; paying also closes the case.
| Stage | Amount | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Paid within 14 days (50% discount) | £80 | 14 days from date of service |
| Full penalty | £160 | 28 days from date of service |
| Charge Certificate (50% increase) | £240 | 14 days from the Charge Certificate |
| Order for Recovery (plus £9 TEC fee) | £249 | 21 days |
| Warrant of Control | Penalty + enforcement agent fees | After the Order for Recovery is unpaid |
Pay within 14 days from the date of service to get the 50% discount. The clock starts the day the PCN is served, not the day you find it. Paying also closes the case; the issuing authority cannot reconsider once paid.
If a London borough council issued your bus lane PCN, the amounts are set at the same higher band (£160, reduced to £80), but you pay and challenge the council, not TfL. Always check the issuer named on your PCN, because it decides who you deal with at every stage.
Step-by-stepHow to pay Bus Lane PCN online
No council websites. No confusing forms. No legal jargon. Just a clear, calm guide through what to do next right from your phone.
Take a photo of your PCN
Open Snapmyfine and photograph the ticket. It pulls out the details that matter on its own: the issuing council, the amount, the contravention code, and every deadline attached to it.
We explain it in simple terms
You get a straightforward read on what the ticket actually says, what your options are, and whether there is a sensible case to challenge it. No legal wording to decode.
Pay or appeal, your choice, made easy
Settle it securely by Open Banking in a few taps, or use the app to put together a measured appeal, structured the way councils expect to receive one. Snapmyfine also keeps an eye on the dates for you, with a nudge before the 14-day, 21-day and 28-day windows close, so nothing slips past.
The app also watches your deadlines for you with a nudge before the 14-day, 21-day and 28-day windows close, so nothing slips through the cracks.
PCN escalation · don't miss these windowsDeadlines and escalation timeline
A bus lane PCN does not go away if you ignore it. Here is exactly what happens at each stage and when.
PCN issued
Cameras record the contravention and the issuing authority, TfL or your borough council, serves the PCN to the registered keeper, usually within 28 days.
Pay at 50% discount or challenge
Pay £80 at the 50% discount, or make an informal challenge, the discount is usually held while your case is considered.
Full penalty due or rejection
Pay the full £160, or make a formal representation; if it's rejected, the authority must explain how to appeal.
Charge Certificate
If it is still unpaid after 28 days, the penalty rises by 50% to £240. You then have 14 days to pay.
Order for Recovery
If unpaid after a further 14 days, the debt is registered at the Traffic Enforcement Centre with a £9 fee added, £249 in total. You have 21 days to pay or respond.
Warrant of Control
If it is still unpaid, the case can pass to an enforcement agent, who can add their own fees.
Should you pay or appeal?How to challenge or appeal a Bus Lane PCN
You do not need a solicitor. All three stages are free. You only move to the next stage if the previous decision goes against you.
Challenge the issuer
Make a representation to whichever authority issued your PCN, TfL or your borough council named on the notice. If you challenge within 14 days, the discount is usually held while your case is considered.
Notice of Acceptance or Rejection
If the authority accepts your representation, the PCN is cancelled. If it rejects your case, you receive a Notice of Rejection with an official Notice of Appeal form explaining how to appeal.
Appeal to London Tribunals
Appeal to the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators at London Tribunals, the independent adjudicator for London bus lane penalties, whether issued by TfL or a borough. The hearing is free and independent. If the adjudicator allows your appeal, the PCN is cancelled entirely.
Grounds include: you were not the owner of the vehicle at the time; there was no breach of the bus lane order or regulation; the vehicle was taken and driven without your consent; the penalty exceeds the amount due; or there was a procedural impropriety. Signage that doesn't comply with the rules, and camera timing, are often relevant, so gather clear photos and any dashcam footage.
Not sure which stage you're at, or how long you've got?
Get Snapmyfine and stay on top of your Bus LanesPCN, so you don't miss the discount window or the 28-day cutoff. The app reads your notice, tells you exactly where you stand, and reminds you before each deadline.
TfL contact and payment detailsHow to contact TfL about your Bus Lane PCN
Check whether TfL or your council issued the PCN first, then quote your reference number in all contact.
Online portal (pay or challenge)
TfL PCN portal, tfl.gov.uk
View evidence, pay or submit representation, fastest method
PCN enquiries by phone
0343 222 3333
Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00, Sat 09:00–13:00
For a council bus lane PCN
Contact your borough directly
Use the contact details printed on your PCN and the issuing council's website, not TfL.
Appeals body, London Tribunals
Environment and Traffic Adjudicators, PO Box 460, Hartlepool, TS24 4JE
Tel: 020 7520 7200 · Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 · Independent of TfL
Contact details last verified July 2026. Phone numbers, portal URLs and postal addresses can change. Always confirm at TfL PCN portal, tfl.gov.uk.
Questions answeredFrequently asked questions about Bus Lanes PCN
If something's holding you back, it's probably answered here. Bus Lanes-specific answers, not generic advice.
Free for drivers · No account requiredNot sure who issued your Bus Lane PCN, or whether to fight it?
Scan your PCN with Snapmyfine. The app reads the notice, shows your exact deadline, tells you if you have grounds to challenge, and tracks every date all in under 60 seconds.
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Snapmyfine is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Transport for London or any London borough council. This page is general information, not legal advice. Always check your PCN and the official website of the issuing authority.