Council Fine CheckWhat TfL enforces
- Parking
- Enforces — on red routes (the TfL Road Network), by officers and CCTV
- Bus lanes / gates
- Enforces — camera enforced on TfL roads
- Moving traffic
- Enforces — box junctions and banned turns on TfL roads
- Penalty level
- £160 for red route, bus lane and moving traffic PCNs, halved if paid within the discount period (London Councils)
- Appeals
- London Tribunals (free)
About TfL PCNs
TfL issues its own PCNs on the roads it manages, the red routes that make up the TfL Road Network. These are the main through-routes across London, separate from the borough-run streets, so a red route, bus lane or box junction PCN from TfL is challenged with TfL, not the local borough.
TfL's own page lists bus lane, box junction, banned turn and CCTV parking PCNs as camera notices, and says representations should arrive within 28 days of receiving the PCN. It also says that if a challenge reaches it within the discount period, the PCN is put on hold, and if the challenge is rejected and you then pay, the discount period carries on from where it stopped. For an on-street red route ticket you can challenge straight away; if you have not contacted TfL within 28 days it sends a Notice to Owner.
If TfL rejects your representations, the Notice of Rejection explains how to appeal to London Tribunals within 28 days. TfL states that an unpaid PCN rises to £240 with a Charge Certificate and £249 once registered with the court, after which you have 21 days to respond to the Order for Recovery.
How to challenge a TfL PCN
- Check the deadline. A camera PCN sent by post gets a 50% discount if paid within 14 days; representations are normally due within 28 days of the notice being served.
- Make representations to the council as explained on its PCN page or by post to Red routes, PO Box 335, Darlington DL1 9PU. Quote the PCN number and the grounds that apply.
- If rejected, appeal to London Tribunals within 28 days of the Notice of Rejection. The adjudicator is independent of TfL.
London penalty levels from 7 April 2025: Band A £160/£110, Band B £140/£90; bus lane and moving traffic £160 (London Councils).
Questions
How long do I have to challenge a TfL camera PCN?
TfL asks for representations within 28 days of receiving the PCN. Late ones do not have to be considered, though TfL says illness or being away, with proof, may be taken into account.
Do I lose the discount if I challenge a TfL PCN?
TfL says a challenge received within the discount period puts the PCN on hold, and if it is rejected and you pay, the discount period resumes from where it was suspended.
How much is a TfL PCN if I don't pay?
TfL states £160 rises to £240 with a Charge Certificate, and to £249 once the debt is registered at court with an Order for Recovery.
Where do I appeal a TfL PCN if my challenge is rejected?
To London Tribunals, which is independent of the council. Appeals are free and must normally be made within 28 days of the Notice of Rejection.