Your vehicle type is allowed in that bus lane
Bus lane signs include a plate that lists which vehicles are allowed to use the lane — commonly buses, cycles, and taxis. Some signs also allow motorcycles. If your vehicle belongs to one of the types listed on that sign, the ticket must be cancelled. Hackney carriages (black cabs with a taxi plate) are usually listed as exempt, but private hire vehicles are NOT — even if they carry passengers for reward.
Legal basis
Local TRO defining exempt classes; TSRGD 2016 Schedule 11 (bus lane sign variants); Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981; Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 ss.45-80
How to identify this in your case
Photograph upright sign listing exemptions. Check vehicle status (taxi plate, motorcycle, cycle). PHV are NOT taxis for bus lane purposes.
Sample appeal wording
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 Sir/Madam, Re: Bus Lane PCN [NUMBER] — [DATE] I challenge this PCN. My vehicle falls within an exempt class on the bus lane sign. Vehicle: [REG], [Make/Model] Licence: [e.g. 'Hackney Carriage Plate [REF] from [Authority]'] The upright sign at the entry point lists exempt classes as: '[buses, cycles and taxis]'. My vehicle is a [hackney carriage / motorcycle / pedal cycle] and therefore expressly permitted. Under the local TRO and TPT grounds, the alleged contravention did not occur. Please cancel the PCN. Yours faithfully, [NAME]
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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