ANPR Misread — Plate Transposition or Cloned Plate

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems can misread number plates, particularly in poor light, at certain angles, or with dirty/damaged plates. An ANPR misread resulting in a PCN being sent to the wrong keeper is a complete defence. Separately, if a cloned plate was in use, the registered keeper can prove their vehicle was elsewhere at the time (via telematics, fuel receipts, dashcam, photos). Both are absolute defences.

Legal basis

Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 sch.4 (keeper liability requires correct identification of vehicle); Data Protection Act 2018 (incorrect data); Traffic Penalty Tribunal / POPLA case law

How to identify this in your case

Check whether the PCN's vehicle description matches your vehicle. Check dashcam/telematics to confirm your vehicle's location at the time. If your vehicle was elsewhere, this is either an ANPR misread or a cloned plate — both are defences. Report a cloned plate to the police.

Sample appeal wording

Dear [Operator / Council], Re: PCN/Parking Charge Notice [NUMBER] — Vehicle Not Present I write to formally challenge this notice on the ground that my vehicle was not present at the stated location at the stated time. I attach evidence showing my vehicle's actual location at [TIME] on [DATE]: [describe evidence — dashcam GPS data showing location X / fuel receipt from location Y / photographs]. This notice is the result of an ANPR system misreading a registration plate. My vehicle's plate [REG] was not at your site. [If applicable: I have reported the matter to the police as a cloned plate — incident number X.] I require immediate cancellation and confirmation that my personal data obtained from the DVLA will be deleted. Yours faithfully, [NAME]

Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.

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Sources

Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 sch.4
ICO guidance on ANPR data