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

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]

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

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Sources

UK GDPR Art 5(1)(d), 15, 17
PoFA 2012 Sch 4 para 9
DPA 2018 s.170