Vehicle Was Out on Hire When Ticketed
If your vehicle was hired out to someone else on the day the ticket was issued, you as the owner are not responsible for it — the hirer is. This applies to rental companies, leasing firms, and any private owner whose vehicle was on hire at the time. You must be able to produce the hire agreement covering that date and time.
Legal basis
Road Traffic Act 1994 s.35(6)(a)(ii) and (b); s.36(9)(a)(ii) and (b).
How to identify this in your case
Is this you? You own the vehicle but it was hired out to someone else on the date and time shown on the ticket. You have a signed hire agreement that covers that exact period. This could apply to you whether you are a car rental company, a leasing firm, or a private individual who hired your vehicle to someone else.
Sample appeal wording
Sample wording to adapt and send yourself — it may not fit your notice or the stage you are at.
Statutory defence under RTA 1994 s.35(6)/s.36(9): the vehicle was subject to a hire-drive agreement; the hirer, not the owner, is liable.
Beat It writes this argument automatically
Scan your PCN — our AI checks if this ground applies to your specific ticket, drafts a properly-cited appeal letter, and sends it for you where the council takes email — guiding you through their own online form where they use one, so you press submit. The win fee is only charged if you win.
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