| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? 12:25 - Dec 3 with 4291 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
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. |  |
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| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 12:40 - Dec 3 with 4213 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
I would suggest going to CAB and seeing where you stand. Your problem appears to be failing to inform the DVLA of your correct details (although you have explained why). There's probably no harm in appealing to the council but the CAB should be able to inform you where you stand. It does seem a high price to pay for the error. |  |
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| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 13:13 - Dec 3 with 4131 views | _clive_baker_ |
I would put in writing your willingness to pay the original fine and the fact you’ve never attempted to avoid paying it, as correspondence hasn’t been sent to your correct address. They have quite a job enforcing these fines, they have to be deemed proportionate so clearly stating you’re willing to pay the original fine is probably the best course of action IMO. |  | | |
| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 13:17 - Dec 3 with 4099 views | blueasfook |
I don't think you'll have much joy to be honest. The council will just say it's out of their hands as it was passed to a debt collection agency - most of the additional cost would have been added by them. Debt collection agencies aren't well known for giving money back once they've taken it.
I will also add it's the vehicle owner's responsibility to keep the DVLA informed of any changes, so pleading ignorance won't get you anywhere either.
You're welcome. |  |
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| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 13:32 - Dec 3 with 4022 views | GlasgowBlue |
Ouch. That's a weekend away with mrs Dollers wasted on a traffic fine. My Mrs would be livid. |  |
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| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 15:58 - Dec 3 with 3815 views | GeoffSentence |
Bit of a plsser that they sent the bill to the wrong address but managed to send the clampers to the right one. Surely that must be grounds for appeal, that they did know the right address but sent it to the wrong one. |  |
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| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 16:43 - Dec 3 with 3730 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 15:58 - Dec 3 by GeoffSentence |
Bit of a plsser that they sent the bill to the wrong address but managed to send the clampers to the right one. Surely that must be grounds for appeal, that they did know the right address but sent it to the wrong one. |
The clampers claimed their cameras picked up my car... they just happened to be in my area. | |
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| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 17:07 - Dec 3 with 3666 views | redrickstuhaart |
Are these Local Authority , Police or private PCNS?
Clamping is illegal unless you are police council or dvla. |  | | |
| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 17:39 - Dec 3 with 3554 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 17:07 - Dec 3 by redrickstuhaart |
Are these Local Authority , Police or private PCNS?
Clamping is illegal unless you are police council or dvla. |
Local authority. | |
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| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 17:41 - Dec 3 with 3537 views | NewcyBlue |
You can be fined up to £1000 for not updating name and address details on your logbook when they change.
Realistically you’ve probably got little chance. As someone else said earlier, a friendly worded letter apologising may be the best approach.
Good luck. |  |
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| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 10:16 - Dec 4 with 3030 views | MJallday |
Angle grinder - 50 quid
Job done. |  |
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| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 10:40 - Dec 4 with 2956 views | DJR |
I think the reason for using the registered keeper details is because they are the best person to contact given that the person driving at the time may not be the registered keeper, but the registered keeper ought to know who was driving.
In the case of a hire car, they would contact the hire company first, who would in turn ensure the PCN was sent to the person hiring the car.
I am really sorry for your plight, but I rather doubt there is much you can do about it. Certainly, you won't get back the bailiff's costs, but you could try a sob story with the council to get some of it back.
I am assuming in all of this that you have no proper defence to the original offence. If you did, that might give you greater options. [Post edited 4 Dec 2023 11:01]
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| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 10:57 - Dec 4 with 2899 views | TootingTown |
I had the same problem a little while back in the Hammersmith area, they're adding in lots of these 'local's only' roads in London now, but rather cleverly not telling anyone.
I appealed and saying I was unaware of the new road layout and got let off. I appreciate though that you're in a bit more of a tricky situation and once money has been handed over, it's difficult to get back. Do definitely appeal though, pleading ignorance may well do the trick. It also might be worth getting in touch with Citizens Advice as well, having dealt with them in the past through work, I know they don't look on this kind of method of collecting a 'debt' very lightly. Especially at what seems like an extremely inflated price.
Good luck! |  | | |
| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 11:01 - Dec 4 with 2882 views | giant_stow |
Feel for you mr - these things often seem to happen when you least need it. Appeal away - what have you got to lose? |  |
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| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 14:00 - Dec 4 with 2722 views | ronnyd |
| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 10:57 - Dec 4 by TootingTown |
I had the same problem a little while back in the Hammersmith area, they're adding in lots of these 'local's only' roads in London now, but rather cleverly not telling anyone.
I appealed and saying I was unaware of the new road layout and got let off. I appreciate though that you're in a bit more of a tricky situation and once money has been handed over, it's difficult to get back. Do definitely appeal though, pleading ignorance may well do the trick. It also might be worth getting in touch with Citizens Advice as well, having dealt with them in the past through work, I know they don't look on this kind of method of collecting a 'debt' very lightly. Especially at what seems like an extremely inflated price.
Good luck! |
Trouble is. once that bailiffs/sheriffs get involved the 'costs' really sky rocket. | | | |
| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 14:33 - Dec 4 with 2624 views | Pinewoodblue |
| Racked up a load of fines on a PCN and had no idea - any chance of an appeal? on 11:01 - Dec 4 by giant_stow |
Feel for you mr - these things often seem to happen when you least need it. Appeal away - what have you got to lose? |
It may be worth writing to the local authority but only if you have been diligent in your actions.
Did you notify DVLA driver licence section of your change of address as soon as you moved, and did you take appropriate steps to have mail forwarded?
At best doubt you expect much more that a good will payment equal to the original PNC.
You might suggest the debt recovery agent didn’t do enough to track you down for example you may already be listed under your new address on the electoral register. Was your vehicle parked outside you current address, more likely that they tracked you down and camr out to clamp your vehicle rather than a chance encounter. When did you last pay Road tax? |  |
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