Mobile CCTV Camera Not Approved for That Location

A mobile CCTV enforcement vehicle — a car or van with cameras used to catch traffic offences — can only be used in locations the council has specifically approved for that type of enforcement. If the camera filmed you somewhere that is not on the council's approved list, or falls outside the area the council is allowed to cover, the footage cannot legally be used as evidence. Councils must keep records of every site where mobile enforcement is permitted.

Legal basis

Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices) Regulations 2022; Traffic Management Act 2004; Secretary of State conditions for mobile device approval

How to identify this in your case

Your penalty charge notice (PCN) says the evidence was recorded by a mobile enforcement vehicle or CCTV enforcement car. Ask the council to confirm that the exact location where you were filmed was on their approved list for mobile camera enforcement on the date in question, and ask them to provide the authorisation document showing this.

Sample appeal wording

Before you send this

Deadline. A late submission can be turned down without your argument being read. Check your notice for the deadline and how it is counted.
Paying may end it. Paying can count as accepting the notice and can close a challenge already under way. Part-paying or acknowledging an old debt can also revive a time limit that had expired.
The amount can change. Check what happens to the sum if you challenge — it may be held, re-offered lower, or keep rising, and fees or enforcement can continue meanwhile.
Use the official route. Use the method, recipient and form your notice specifies, with any reference, evidence and signature it asks for. Sent elsewhere, it may not count.
Only say what is true. Do not copy any statement of fact unless it is true for you, and check the legal point still applies. Delete what does not fit. It may be treated as your statement.
Careful what you volunteer. Avoid unnecessary admissions — naming the driver or accepting responsibility can remove arguments. But answer anything you are legally required to answer, and do include the evidence your ground needs.
Keep the record. Keep what you sent, the attachments, any receipt, and the reply. Note the next deadline.

Sample wording to adapt and send yourself — it may not fit your notice or the stage you are at. Replace the bracketed prompts with your own details; leave any case citation as it is.

Dear Representations Team, Re: PCN [NUMBER] — Mobile CCTV Enforcement Authorisation I note that this PCN was captured by a mobile CCTV enforcement vehicle. I formally request: 1. Confirmation that [LOCATION] was an approved and designated site for mobile CCTV enforcement on [DATE] 2. The Secretary of State device approval reference for the mobile unit 3. The council's authorisation document for that specific location If the location was not specifically authorised for mobile enforcement, the evidence was obtained unlawfully and the PCN must be cancelled. Yours faithfully, [NAME]

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Sources

Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices) Regulations 2022 SI 2022/576