Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? by The_Flashing_Smile 3 Dec 2023 12:25
Ages ago I was back in Brixton taking a short cut up a road I've been up a million times... except since I left the area they've changed the layout and cars can no longer drive up there at certain times. Not expecting it, I only saw the sign at the last second.

Anyway, several months later I hadn't heard anything and assumed I'd got away with it... until a few days ago I got a call from debt collectors who were outside my house putting a clamp on my car! Turns out the council had been sending fines to my old address.

I'd been on the DVLA website to change my address, but didn't realise you have to do it TWICE - your driving licence AND your record of ownership. You'd think being on the same website it's something you'd only have to do once?! So they had the correct address on my driving licence, but chose to send the bills to the old address on my record of ownership.

Anyway, the upshot was I had to pay £624 there an then to get the clamp removed, and they said I'd have to contact the council to make an appeal to try and get some back.

What are my chances and are there any tips that might help? I don't mind the initial fine (well I do, but it's my own fault, I should've seen the sign and stopped). But racking up so much of a fine due to ignorance seems awfully harsh. Times are not good money-wise at the moment so this is ruddy nightmare.

[Post edited 3 Dec 2023 20:27]