How to Appeal a TfL Fine (PCN)

Transport for London is the UK's largest single PCN issuer, generating over 2,400,000+ penalties per year across red route violations, bus lane contraventions, Congestion Charge non-payment, ULEZ non-compliance, and Low Emission Zone breaches. Unlike borough councils, TfL enforces on major roads across all of Greater London. This guide covers each TfL fine type, penalty rates, Auto Pay issues, and how to appeal through London Tribunals.

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Quick Reference

Red Route Band A
£160 (£80 in 14 days)
CC / ULEZ Penalty
£160 (£80 in 14 days)
Appeals Body
London Tribunals
PCN Volume
2,400,000+/year
Online Portal
tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/red-routes/penalty-charge-notices

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Types of TfL Fines

TfL issues PCNs for five distinct categories, each with different penalty amounts and appeal considerations:

Red Route Violations

Stopping, parking, or loading on red routes (marked with red lines) outside permitted times. Double red lines = no stopping at any time. Single red lines = no stopping during restricted hours.

Penalty: £160 Band A / £130 Band B (50% discount in 14 days)

Bus Lane Contraventions

Driving in TfL-managed bus lanes during operating hours. TfL enforces bus lanes on major roads (A roads) while boroughs enforce on local roads.

Penalty: £160 Band A (50% discount in 14 days)

Congestion Charge

Non-payment of the £15 daily charge for driving in central London. Applies Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-6pm (excluding Christmas Day). Can pay by midnight the next day at £17.50.

Penalty: £160 (50% discount in 14 days)

ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone)

Non-compliant vehicles in Greater London. Applies 24/7 (except Christmas Day). Compliant: Euro 4+ petrol, Euro 6+ diesel, all EVs. Daily charge: £12.50 for non-compliant vehicles.

Penalty: £160 cars/vans, £100 motorcycles (50% discount in 14 days)

LEZ (Low Emission Zone)

Non-compliant heavy vehicles (HGVs, buses, coaches, large vans) in Greater London. Stricter emission standards than ULEZ. Applies 24/7.

Penalty: Up to £300 for HGVs (50% discount in 14 days)

Auto Pay Issues

Many TfL PCNs result from Auto Pay failures. Common causes:

  • Expired payment card: Your registered card expired and wasn't updated
  • Insufficient funds: Payment was declined by your bank
  • TfL system error: The Auto Pay system failed to process — this is a strong appeal ground
  • Vehicle not registered: New vehicle not added to your Auto Pay account

Log into your TfL account to check your Auto Pay history and status. If TfL's system caused the failure, provide screenshots as evidence.

How to Appeal a TfL PCN

1

Identify Your TfL PCN Type

TfL issues PCNs for different offences with different penalty levels:

  • Red route parking/loading violations
  • Bus lane contraventions on TfL roads
  • Congestion Charge non-payment (£160)
  • ULEZ non-compliance (£160 cars, £100 motorcycles)
  • Low Emission Zone non-compliance (up to £300)

2

Gather Evidence

Collect supporting documentation:

  • Payment confirmations from TfL's website or app
  • Auto Pay registration evidence
  • Vehicle emission certificate (V5C or MOT)
  • Photos of red route signage
  • Dashcam footage for bus lane or moving traffic PCNs

3

Make Representations to TfL

Submit your challenge through TfL's online portal at tfl.gov.uk or write to the postal address within 28 days of the Notice to Owner. TfL's online system is efficient and provides tracking.

4

Await TfL's Decision

TfL must respond within 56 days. If accepted, the PCN is cancelled. If rejected, they must provide a verification code for tribunal appeal. No response within 56 days = PCN cancelled.

5

Appeal to London Tribunals

If rejected, appeal free to London Tribunals at londontribunals.gov.uk within 28 days. The adjudicator's decision is final and binding on TfL.

Grounds for Appealing a TfL PCN

These grounds apply to TfL PCNs. Different fine types have specific additional considerations — red route appeals focus on signage, while CC/ULEZ appeals focus on payment and compliance:

Strong
No contravention occurred
The alleged offence did not occur. TfL must prove on the balance of probabilities that the contravention took place. Camera evidence must clearly show the vehicle and the contravention.
Strong
Congestion Charge or ULEZ paid
You paid the charge within the allowed timeframe (by midnight the next day for CC, or same day for ULEZ). Payment confirmation from TfL's website or Auto Pay records is strong evidence.
Strong
Vehicle is ULEZ/LEZ compliant
Your vehicle meets the emission standards. Check via TfL's vehicle checker. Provide your V5C or MOT showing the Euro emission standard.
Strong
Signs or road markings defective
Red route signs or lines were missing, obscured, or non-compliant with TSRGD 2016.
Strong
Procedural impropriety
PCN not served within 28 days of the alleged contravention, or notice missing required statutory information.
Strong
Exemption or discount applies
Valid exemption (resident, disabled, EV, diplomatic) or discount was in place. TfL maintains an exemption register — check your registration status.
Strong
Auto Pay failure
You were registered for Auto Pay but TfL's system failed to charge you. Provide evidence of your Auto Pay registration and payment method.
Strong
Vehicle sold before contravention
You had sold or transferred the vehicle before the date of the alleged contravention. Provide V5C transfer or bill of sale.
Medium
Red route loading/unloading
You were loading or unloading on a red route within the permitted time (usually 20 minutes maximum). Document the loading activity.
Medium
Compelling reasons
Medical emergency, breakdown, or circumstances genuinely beyond your control prevented compliance.

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Understanding Red Routes

Double Red Lines

No stopping at any time. No loading, no picking up or dropping off passengers. Only exception: medical emergency or breakdown.

Single Red Lines

No stopping during restricted hours (shown on time plate). Loading/unloading permitted outside restricted hours, usually max 20 minutes. Can park outside restricted hours.

Red Route Box Markings

Specific bays on red routes with individual rules — loading only, disabled only, or timed parking. Check the sign for the specific bay type and permitted times.

TfL vs Council Roads

Red routes are TfL-managed major roads (A roads). Yellow lines on other roads are council-managed. Check who issued the PCN — TfL or your borough — as the appeal process differs slightly.

TfL-Specific Appeal Tips

  • Check Auto Pay status — If you're registered for Congestion Charge or ULEZ Auto Pay, log into your TfL account to verify the payment was processed. Auto Pay failures where TfL's system is at fault are strong appeal grounds.
  • Pay the CC by midnight the next day — You can pay the Congestion Charge until midnight the following day (at a higher rate of £17.50 vs £15). If you paid within this window, provide the payment confirmation as evidence.
  • Use TfL's vehicle checker — Before appealing a ULEZ or LEZ PCN, check your vehicle at tfl.gov.uk/ulez. If the checker shows your vehicle as compliant, screenshot this as evidence. If your vehicle was recently modified to become compliant, provide the modification certification.
  • Red route loading rules — Red routes (red single and double lines) have strict stopping rules. Single red lines allow stopping during off-peak hours. Loading is permitted on single red lines outside restricted hours, usually for a maximum of 20 minutes. Double red lines mean no stopping at any time.
  • Request ANPR camera footage — TfL uses ANPR cameras extensively. Request the full camera evidence — it should show your vehicle clearly. Poor quality images or incorrect number plate reads are grounds for cancellation.
  • Check for TfL road changes — TfL regularly modifies road layouts, bus lane hours, and turning restrictions. If a restriction was recently changed, check whether adequate signage and publicity was provided.

TfL Contact Details

Related Parking Appeal Guides

Westminster PCN Guide

Appeal Westminster council parking fines

Camden PCN Guide

Appeal Camden council parking fines

Congestion & ULEZ Guide

Detailed guide to CC, ULEZ, and LEZ appeals

Bus Lane Fine Guide

Appeal bus lane fines from TfL and councils

Council Parking Fines Guide

General guide to council PCN appeals

All Council Guides

Browse all council-specific appeal guides

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a TfL parking fine?
TfL red route PCNs are £160 for Band A (serious, like stopping on double red lines) or £130 for Band B. Congestion Charge penalties are £160. ULEZ penalties are £160 for cars/vans or £100 for motorcycles. LEZ penalties can be up to £300. All have 50% early payment discount within 14 days.
How do I appeal a TfL PCN?
Make representations online at tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/red-routes/penalty-charge-notices within 28 days of the NtO. If rejected, appeal free to London Tribunals. Generate your letter.
What is the difference between TfL and council PCNs?
TfL enforces red routes (major roads marked with red lines), bus lanes on TfL-managed roads, the Congestion Charge, ULEZ, and LEZ. Local councils enforce parking and bus lanes on all other roads. TfL penalties are generally higher than council penalties. Both appeal to London Tribunals.
Can I appeal a ULEZ charge?
Yes. If your vehicle is compliant (Euro 4+ petrol, Euro 6+ diesel, or electric), provide evidence via TfL's vehicle checker or your V5C/MOT. If you paid the charge, provide the payment confirmation. If you had a valid exemption, provide the exemption registration details.
What is the Congestion Charge zone?
The Congestion Charge applies to most vehicles entering central London (roughly bounded by Park Lane, Euston Road, Tower Bridge, and Vauxhall Bridge) Monday-Friday 7am-6pm and weekends 12pm-6pm. The charge is £15/day (£17.50 if paid the next day). Residents within the zone get a 90% discount.
What is ULEZ and where does it apply?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone covers all of Greater London (out to the North/South Circular and beyond since 2023). Non-compliant vehicles are charged £12.50/day. Compliant vehicles: Euro 4+ petrol (typically 2006+), Euro 6+ diesel (typically 2015+), and all electric vehicles. The charge applies 24/7, every day except Christmas Day.
What is Auto Pay and why did it fail?
Auto Pay automatically charges your registered payment method for the Congestion Charge and ULEZ when your vehicle is detected in the zone. Failures can occur due to expired cards, insufficient funds, or TfL system errors. If TfL's system caused the failure, this is a strong appeal ground — provide evidence of your active Auto Pay registration.
Where do TfL appeals go?
All TfL appeals go to London Tribunals at londontribunals.gov.uk. The appeal is free and the adjudicator's decision is final and binding on TfL. You can choose an online hearing, telephone hearing, or decision on papers.
Can I stop on a red route?
It depends on the type of red line. Double red lines mean no stopping at any time. Single red lines allow stopping outside the restricted hours shown on the time plate. Loading/unloading may be permitted on single red lines for up to 20 minutes. Red route box markings indicate specific bays with particular rules.