Council Fine CheckWhat Cardiff enforces
- Parking
- Enforces
- Bus lanes / gates
- Enforces — bus lanes and bus gates; all bus lanes operate 24 hours a day
- Moving traffic
- Enforces — banned turns, box junctions, vehicle prohibitions and weight limits, by fixed and mobile cameras
- Penalty level
- Bus lane and moving traffic PCNs £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days; £105 after a Charge Certificate (Cardiff Council)
- Appeals
- Traffic Penalty Tribunal (free)
About Cardiff PCNs
Cardiff enforces bus lanes, bus gates and moving traffic contraventions (banned turns, box junctions, prohibitions on certain vehicles and weight limits) with wireless and mobile cameras, alongside parking. The council says the registered owner receives a camera PCN by post within 28 days, with photographic stills and a link to view the footage online.
Every bus lane and moving traffic PCN in Cardiff is £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days. If you ignore it, a Charge Certificate gives you 14 days to pay £105 before the council applies to the Traffic Enforcement Centre. Appealing does not make the penalty rise while your case is considered, but you must choose: pay or appeal, not both.
Two Cardiff specifics are worth knowing. First, all of the city's bus lanes operate 24 hours a day, every day, so there is no off-peak window. Second, more vehicles may use them than in many cities: buses, licensed hackney carriages, licensed private hire vehicles, pedal cycles and emergency vehicles, and solo motorcycles in most lanes. The council also says the so-called 20-metre rule, a supposed grace distance in a bus lane, has no basis in law. As Cardiff is in Wales, appeals go to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal under the Welsh regulations, which also require the discount to be re-offered for 21 days if representations about a postal PCN are rejected.
How to challenge a Cardiff PCN
- Check the deadline. A camera PCN sent by post gets a 50% discount if paid within the period on the notice; representations are normally due within 28 days of the notice being served.
- Make representations to the council as explained on its PCN page. Quote the PCN number and the grounds that apply.
- If rejected, appeal to Traffic Penalty Tribunal within 28 days of the Notice of Rejection. The adjudicator is independent of Cardiff.
Questions
What are Cardiff bus lane hours?
Cardiff says all its bus lanes operate 24 hours a day, every day.
Can private hire cars use Cardiff bus lanes?
Yes. Cardiff lists licensed private hire vehicles among the vehicles allowed in its bus lanes, along with buses, hackney carriages, cycles and emergency vehicles. Check signs for bus gates, which can differ.
Is there a 20-metre grace distance in Cardiff bus lanes?
No. Cardiff says the 20-metre rule has no basis in law.
How much is a Cardiff bus lane fine?
£70, or £35 if paid within 21 days. It rises to £105 if a Charge Certificate is issued.
Where do I appeal a Cardiff PCN if my challenge is rejected?
To Traffic Penalty Tribunal, which is independent of the council. Appeals are free and must normally be made within 28 days of the Notice of Rejection.