In August and September 2021, Transport for London (TfL) held public consultations on a proposal to increase the fine level for drivers who fail to follow the rules on TfL managed roads. On review of the public consultation, the Mayor of London has approved the fine level increase which will be implemented from 17 January.
Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are issued to drivers who breach the regulations controlling London’s busiest roads, covering offences such as driving in a bus lane, making a banned turn, or parking illegally on the red route.
The increase is from £130 to £160 and brings the charge in line with inflation. The new Penalty Charge will continue to be reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days; and to be increased by 50% if paid late (after 28 days). The last time the penalty was increased was in 2011.
Overall, there has been a 26% increase in the number of PCNs issued for parking, loading, bus lane and moving traffic contraventions between 2016 and 2019. The increase of the Penalty Charge level is being introduced to allow traffic to move safely and efficiently along some of the busiest roads in London.
The consultation report has been published on the TfL website.
Members looking for a greater understanding of this subject are encouraged to book onto the BVRLA's Penalty Charge Notice Masterclass training course. The instructor-led online course has been designed to teach and support members in dealing with road traffic offences/penalty charge notices, appealing against decisions by enforcement authorities, making statutory declarations and helping members support their staff on the subject.
