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Council Fine Check

PCN code 34: Being in a bus lane

Driving (or stopping) in a bus lane while it was in operation.

Code
34
Type
Bus lanes
Level
Bus lane
Who uses it
Councils that enforce bus lanes, and TfL.

What the council's evidence usually is

Camera footage of the vehicle in the lane, often a short clip with the time.

Points to check before you pay

  • Check the hours of operation on the blue sign; many lanes are part-time.
  • Entering briefly to turn left into a side road or to pass an obstruction may be allowed; check the sign and markings.
  • Was the start of the lane marked with the correct sign and road marking?

If one of these applies, the usual statutory ground is that the contravention did not occur. Other grounds (not the owner, stolen vehicle, already paid, wrong amount, procedural impropriety) apply whatever the code. The checker shows which fit your case.

How much is a code 34 PCN?

In London bus lane and moving traffic PCNs are £160, halved if paid within the discount period on the PCN (London Councils says 21 days for CCTV PCNs; some boroughs state 14) (London Councils). Outside London councils set the charge within the national bands, and the discount is 50% if paid within 21 days of a camera PCN being served (SI 2022/71).

Cameras using code 34

Questions

What does PCN code 34 mean?

Being in a bus lane. Driving (or stopping) in a bus lane while it was in operation.

Is code 34 a higher or lower level contravention?

It is a bus lane contravention. Outside London it is charged within the national bands; in London bus lane PCNs are £160.

Can I challenge my code 34 PCN?

Free. Your answers stay on this device; nothing is sent to us.

Who issued it?
What is it for?
What is the latest letter you have?

Deadlines are counted from when the notice is served. We count from the date printed on it, which is the safe (earliest) choice.

Does any of this apply?

Tick everything that fits, or skip.

Get a ready-to-send challenge letter

Built from your checker answers, quoting the statutory grounds that fit. You see the letter before you pay, then send it yourself.

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One PCN per purchase, letters available for 6 months. Full refund within 14 days if you haven't downloaded a letter. See samples and details.

Letter templates you send yourself. Not legal advice; we never contact councils for you.

Sources

Last checked: 13 November 2026

Something changed? Tell us and we'll re-check it.

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