Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hello,

On 8th April around 18:40 my vehicle broke down and I managed to move my car to the side on a red route. It was a red route and behind a bus lane. I have received a PCN from TfL on 20/04/2026
[please see link :

On the 8th April, after I managed to get the car moved to the side of the road, I requested assistance from RAC while on the red route via online reporting (this is their preferred method).  I received text messages saying that they are trying to find someone to attend. [I attach the text messages I received from RAC here :


Eventually, they sent a link saying they will get to me between 22:40 and 1:40.  I had a vulnerable passenger and hence I called RAC over the phone and they said they will try to get someone there to me sooner if they can. The estimated time from RAC's arrival never changed online so I called a member of my family, we added water to the car and managed to get it started and I drove slowly, sometimes stopping along the route home to make sure I got the vulnerable passenger home in time for medication etc.

Is it possible to appeal this PCN at all and what are the chances of success? 

There is a slight complication in that RAC never attended and I changed my car on the 12th of April and now have a different breakdown provider and a different car.  The old car has now been scrapped. I called RAC today to request for the transcript of the phone call I made and all messages they sent to be formally sent to me.  They have logged it as a complaint I think and said it may take upto 21 days for a response but as I no longer have a breakdown cover with them they couldn't find my details (although someone else form RAC said to me that they saw a record of me reporting it one of their systems when I called yesterday).

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you very much!

Apologies - I have reset the google drive links to public. These should work now.

Thank you!  I will request for the copy of the recordings to be sent to me from TfL, and will update as soon as I have it.

Thank you, I will add this

Hello,

As advised, I requested for the CCTV images(please see previous post for the letter I sent to TfL). I just received a letter from TfL this morning asking me to provide ground for representation within 14 days.  The letter is dated 29th April.

This is a link of the letter I received from TfL:




For clarity, I have summarised the sequence of events below:

1) I initially reported the breakdown online to RAC and was given an estimated arrival time of 22:40–01:40 via the tracking link sent to my phone.
2) Due to having a vulnerable passenger, I subsequently called RAC on 0333 2000 999 at 19:08 to request more urgent assistance. I was advised to monitor the link and await updates. The estimated arrival time did not change.
3) A family member later assisted me, allowing me to restart the vehicle and begin driving slowly towards my destination.
4) At 20:40, I received a call from an RAC operative (from telephone number 01922 660489) who advised he was in the Earl’s Court area and would begin travelling towards me. I informed the operative that I would contact him again in approximately 15 minutes to confirm whether assistance was still required, as I was assessing whether I could safely reach my destination.
5) At 21:02, I returned the call and informed the operative that I was close to my destination and that attendance was no longer required.
6) At 22:04, I cancelled the rescue via the tracking link  -


I have the following evidence I can send to TfL:
1) Download of my itemised telephone bill with a call made to RAC at 19:08- on the 8th April

2) Text messages from RAC   

3) A response from RAC on my email saying the following, however I have requested for correction of the RAC email as actually no one attended and I got the vehicle moving eventually after assistance from a family member: 

Thank you for your enquiry requesting a breakdown report for your vehicle.

Please find the full details of the breakdown as requested:

Date of call out: 08/04/2026Vehicle registration: XXXXXTime we received call: 18:50:58Time of attendance (despatched): 20:36:14Time call out completed: 22:03:47Symptom recorded: Engine cut out after starting; engine runs for a while before stopping. Location of breakdown: 223 Clapham Road, London SW99BE (in front of Stockwell tube station entrance)

I trust these details are helpful for your records. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.



I would be grateful for help in preparing a response to the letter from TfL I received today, dated 29 April, setting out the grounds for representation.

Thank you very much for your continued support

Kind regards

Hello,

Thank you.

Here is a link to the letter from TfL dated 29/04/26 with VRN and PCN showing :   



Here is a link to the letter I wrote to TfL on 24th April :



Kind regards