OCR misread — common character confusion (1/I, 0/O, 8/B, 5/S)

ANPR OCR engines have known confusion pairs: 0/O, 1/I, 8/B, 5/S, 2/Z, V/Y. Where the recipient's plate contains any of these characters, demand the raw OCR string (not just the post-processed plate). The recognised string may differ from the recipient's plate by one character; the operator's data accuracy obligation under UK GDPR Art 5(1)(d) is breached if they pursued the closest match without verifying via DVLA registration data (make/model/colour matching the on-site image).

Legal basis

UK GDPR Art 5(1)(d) accuracy; PoFA 2012 Sch 4 para 9 (NTK must specify the vehicle); Civil Evidence Act 1995 s.9

How to identify this in your case

Recipient's plate contains characters in the confusion set; on-site image shows a vehicle of different make/model/colour to the DVLA record for the recipient's plate.

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 [OPERATOR], Re: PCN [REF] — Vehicle alleged to be [REG] I believe the ANPR OCR has misread the plate. My vehicle is a [MAKE/MODEL/COLOUR] (DVLA record evidences this). The vehicle in your photograph is [MAKE/MODEL/COLOUR] which does not match my vehicle. Under UK GDPR Article 15 I require: (a) The raw OCR string returned by the camera (pre-correction); (b) The full image at high resolution showing the vehicle including make/model/colour; (c) The confidence score for the read; (d) The DVLA KADOE response and the make/model/colour data DVLA returned (which would have flagged the mismatch). If the OCR/image confirms a different vehicle, the charge must be cancelled and my data erased under Art 17. Continuing to pursue would be processing inaccurate data contrary to Art 5(1)(d) and may amount to s.170 DPA 2018 unlawful obtaining where the original DVLA request was made on the basis of an unverified plate. Yours faithfully, [NAME]

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OCR misread — common character confusion (1/I, 0/O, 8/B, 5/S)

Legal basis

How to identify this in your case

Sample appeal wording

Beat It writes this argument automatically

Sources

Related appeal grounds

Next steps