Appealing a council Bus Gate PCN?
Discussion
Anyone any experience of appealing a council Penalty Charge Notice?
Today I received a £70 Penalty Charge Notice from my local council with photographs of my car contravening a bus gate in my home town. However I wasn't driving on that road at the time/date specified, I was at home and nobody else drives my car. But I can't prove this.
I've been on their website and viewed the photos....
It looks like my car, same make, model & colour, however my car has a roof rack and this one doesn't. The registration number isn't clear enough to read on the photos, but they have also provided another image of just the reg plate which matches my car..
I believe this must be a cloned vehicle as I never drive on that road, wasn't on that road at the material time, and the lack of roof rack. There's an appeals procedure on the reverse of the form, with scenario boxes to tick, but non for 'cloned vehicle' as otherwise everyone would tick this box, but how on earth can I prove this? Doesn't look like I can so I'm hoping I get more PCN's over the next few days that might provide me with proof
Other option is to pay the lower £35 fee if paid within 21 days, just to make life simple. But that doesn't sit comfortably, and if there's a cloned of my car driving about I may then get more incorrect PCN's & speeding tickets in the future.
Today I received a £70 Penalty Charge Notice from my local council with photographs of my car contravening a bus gate in my home town. However I wasn't driving on that road at the time/date specified, I was at home and nobody else drives my car. But I can't prove this.
I've been on their website and viewed the photos....
It looks like my car, same make, model & colour, however my car has a roof rack and this one doesn't. The registration number isn't clear enough to read on the photos, but they have also provided another image of just the reg plate which matches my car..
I believe this must be a cloned vehicle as I never drive on that road, wasn't on that road at the material time, and the lack of roof rack. There's an appeals procedure on the reverse of the form, with scenario boxes to tick, but non for 'cloned vehicle' as otherwise everyone would tick this box, but how on earth can I prove this? Doesn't look like I can so I'm hoping I get more PCN's over the next few days that might provide me with proof
Other option is to pay the lower £35 fee if paid within 21 days, just to make life simple. But that doesn't sit comfortably, and if there's a cloned of my car driving about I may then get more incorrect PCN's & speeding tickets in the future.
Edited by The Gauge on Tuesday 9th April 16:42
My roof bars are quickly removable so that wouldn't be evidence. However, I've noticed on the photo that the plastic screw covers on the reg plate are in a different place to mine.
On the photo they are clearly visible in the white area either side of the letters..
But on mine they are within the letters themselves....
On the photo they are clearly visible in the white area either side of the letters..
But on mine they are within the letters themselves....
Call the police on their non emergency number. Get a crime reference number stating the evidence you've stated here.
Next use the crime reference number in the appeal against the council. They will not initially budge but submit pictures of your own car as evidence.
I did something similar a long time back and it looked like the council was going to go through with it but pulled out in the last few days.
Next use the crime reference number in the appeal against the council. They will not initially budge but submit pictures of your own car as evidence.
I did something similar a long time back and it looked like the council was going to go through with it but pulled out in the last few days.
Ah i think they 'enhance' it for better viewing.
I had someone clone my plate and drove off without paying from a fuel station.
Exactly the same car but what they had was a different colour and 500 miles away.
Reported it to the local police, got a crime reference and gave it to the debt collectors and never heard anything since.
I had someone clone my plate and drove off without paying from a fuel station.
Exactly the same car but what they had was a different colour and 500 miles away.
Reported it to the local police, got a crime reference and gave it to the debt collectors and never heard anything since.
What idiot clones a car in the same town as themselves. I'd be keeping my eyes peeled in the future to see if you can spot them.
Also, is is worth changing your plates for something more distinctive such as having a Union Jack, UK or EU element at the side. Obviously with photo evidence of before and after. May make proving there's a cloned version easier in the future. New plates shouldn't cost more than £20.
Also, is is worth changing your plates for something more distinctive such as having a Union Jack, UK or EU element at the side. Obviously with photo evidence of before and after. May make proving there's a cloned version easier in the future. New plates shouldn't cost more than £20.
I've logged an online report to my local police force. I'll wait to see if I get a crime number and add that to my appeal
Tried phoning DVLA but they are too busy to answer my call, and I can''t find anywhere on their website to do this either. Though on their f104 form it does say to write to them about cloned plates..
Tried phoning DVLA but they are too busy to answer my call, and I can''t find anywhere on their website to do this either. Though on their f104 form it does say to write to them about cloned plates..
Edited by The Gauge on Tuesday 9th April 18:27
covboy said:
Both letters look like a different font as well
Yes, good point, I think you are correct. The letter K looks slightly different towards there bottom. The letter J looks different too, the angle of the end of the letter where it finishes after the curve.The council online appeals procedure allows for photos to be uploaded so I'll send then a photo of my front reg plate.
Edited by The Gauge on Tuesday 9th April 18:28
The Gauge said:
I reckon the number plate screw caps is the only evidence I can offer so I'm grateful for the difference.
But I do wonder what lays in store for me if there is a cloned car. Interesting times ahead!
Probably worth adding a sticker of some sort to the front and the back to help with future issues. But I do wonder what lays in store for me if there is a cloned car. Interesting times ahead!
Our Alfa was cloned. We got a parking ticket from somewhere in London. Car was the same, but different colour and trim level (and we're in the North East of England). We rejected the claim and reported to the Police. Got a crime number and we haven't had another, so hopefully they have been caught
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