Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi Guys,

I am looking for any advice regarding a PCN.

Images of PCN:

https://ibb.co/JWyX4M7w
https://ibb.co/vCjxwYd8
https://ibb.co/qL5kXRkp
https://ibb.co/hJvhhdv4

The complication with this is:

1) I hired a car through Hertz (with the you are responsible for PCN's etc) at Dublin airport on 31/07/25 and returned it 02/08/25.
2) I received the above PCN on 23/08/25 from the NI Department For Infrastructure. I have never been to NI.
3) I tried to appeal the PCN and sent a copy of my bank statement which showed I was in the ROI one hour after this traffic offence (travel time Belfast to Carlow, ROI 2.5 - 3 hours), but no surprise this was refused.

What I am looking for help/advice on is, would anyone know if it is even worth appealing this. IE can I expect a genuinely neutral adjudicator ?

Thanks for any help you can give

2) I received the above PCN on 23/08/25 from the NI Department For Infrastructure. I have never been to NI.
3) I tried to appeal the PCN and sent a copy of my bank statement which showed I was in the ROI one hour after this traffic offence (travel time Belfast to Carlow, ROI 2.5 - 3 hours), but no surprise this was refused.

Can you please explain the apparent anomoly between the two statements.

Hi Stamfordman,

I am based in the UK and the PCN was sent to my correct address.

The vehicle in the picture is the correct make/model/colour. However it does not appear to have the 'Drive on the right / Links Fahren' and 'No Smoking' stickers on the drivers side of the windscreen.

I have put the emails and rejections in order, so hopefully should be fairly easy to follow.

https://ibb.co/zTKMTPkV
https://ibb.co/0Vs7qzpB
https://ibb.co/DDjDfzps
https://ibb.co/hJs8Yqzn
https://ibb.co/5gM0HhhQ

Thanks.

So NI seems to have a two stage process for bus lanes like London and the next step is to send a notice to the keeper, presumably Hertz.

But it has already named you if what you have is in your name and address.

Have you been charged an admin fee? The fee is probably close to the discounted penalty.

The bank statement wasn't useful. Google Timeline maybe?

How much did Hertz charge you. If this is the only fee then I would go on with this and see if you get the enforcement notice and then if they reject again take it to adjudication.

I'm worried though that Hertz will get the notice and then pay it at full rate and bill you.

You can also follow up with Hertz to get the fee refunded as there's no reason you should be penalised for anything and they may well have other penalties concerning this possible clone.

If you want to try not paying Hertz that's a different matter. It would have nothing to do with the merits of the PCN but your rental contract, as if it does go back to Hertz it is nothing to do with you as it's theirs.

Anyway, we don't see many NI PCNs but someone may know more.

You haven't confirmed - is the PCN solely with your name and address?

The process in Northern Ireland is the same as it is in England, except that there is clearly a difference in that they seem able to ask for the name and address of the vehicle owner by requesting it from the RoI registration office  rather than the DVLA.
I suggest you read this, the order under which enforcement is regulated in Northern Ireland: -
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/2005/1964/contents
also this, the website of the NI adjudicators
https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/northern-ireland-traffic-penalty-tribunal#toc-5

I have noted in the above Order, that an appellant appealing against a PCN based on CCTV evidence, can request the attendance of the enforcement authority at the adjudication. So if you get nowhere with the authority, you should register an appeal with the NI adjudicators and request the attendance of the enforcement authority. the CCTV evidence is void if they don't turn up. I also suggest you get hold of somebody in the hire company to emphasise that you are the victim of a crime, being the cloning of the numberplate of your hire car.