Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi everyone
After some advice.
I drove to London back in April 2024, and was extremely careful not going into the Congestion Charge Zone, which I believed was the only thing you had to pay for.
I live in Cheshire, and this was my first time going into London in like 12 years so had no idea about the Ulez. Maybe ignorance, I know, but I am not local from London, and do not keep up with the news regarding these charges.
Cutting long story short, I received a letter from CDER Group , however I didn't receive any letter from TfL at all (we did have troubles with Royal Mail, maybe letters getting lost) but point is the first time I heard about this fine was from CDER with obviously a very high amount now.
I emailed CDER to say that I will be contacting TfL, as if I had received any letters previously, I would of paid straight away and not letting this amount to a high now.
CDER replied that they cannot stop any enforcement unless their client (TfL) tells them and proceeded to visit my address the next day after their response. Obviously no one answered the door.
I am currently abroad and will be for the next 9-12 months (and even the car I drove is currently as : exported' due to being more than 1 year I will be abroad - still same car and reg as the fine) but my mother is at the address (who is vulnerable and disabled lives alone) and I obviously want to avoid CDER bothering her!
What would you advise is the best course of action for me ? Can I get in touch with TfL , is there a way to reinstate the original fine amount on the basis that I didn't receive any letter previously and stupidly wasn't even aware of Ulez as not local - I am now and clearly will not be repeating the same mistake in the future 
Also, how do I stop CDER from visiting again or can they put the case on hold while I sort with TfL ?
Are CDER actually Bailiffs? What would happen should they decide to visit again ?
I just want to get this sorted asap, I would rather pay the original fine - but completely unsure on how to word it

All advice apps

What address is on the V5C logbook. That's where at least three letters will have been sent to.

I haven't changed address, it's the same as the first CDER letter

Quote from: maripop00 on October 20, 2024, 10:02:55 pm

Quote from: stamfordman on October 20, 2024, 08:05:12 pm

What address is on the V5C logbook. That's where at least three letters will have been sent to.

I haven't changed address, it's the same as the first CDER letter

So, to confirm....
The address on your V5C is the same as the address on the CDER letter, and that V5C address has been the same as before the date of the ULEZ PCN ?

You have not received THREE statutory documents, all sent to the address on the V5C shortly after the alleged contravention was detected by TfL cameras
- Original PCN
- Charge Certificate
- Order for Recovery

No letters have been received    The first was the CDER letter

And this statement is true: -

The address on your V5C is the same as the address on the CDER letter, and that V5C address has been the same as before the date of the ULEZ PCN ?

You still haven't answered the question - is the address on the CDER letter identical to the address on the V5C for the car, and is the V5C address the same now as it was when the PCN was issued by TfL ?

The most common reason we see on here when bailiffs are at the OPs door is failure to keep the V5C for the car up-to-date. All the statutory enforcement documents served by TfL use the address on the V5C at the time the PCN was printed and mailed. You have not received all three of them. The bailiffs are very proactive in seeking out debtors, because their livelihood depends on it. At the moment, the amount you own them is the minimum. If they visit you then another £235 visit fee will be added on to the debt.

Go with this and see what happens. Email to TFL and copy to CDER Group Limited.

Subject: Stage 1 Formal Complaint Regarding ULEZ Fine and Enforcement Actions
Dear Transport for London,

I am writing to formally complain about CDER Group's enforcement actions regarding a ULEZ fine I received. My circumstances involve several breaches of the enforcement provisions outlined in Schedule 12 of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 and its underlying regulations.

Background

In April 2024, I travelled to London for the first time in 12 years, avoiding the Congestion Charge Zone, which I believed was the only applicable charge. As a resident of Cheshire, I was unaware of the ULEZ charge due to my non-local status and lack of recent news updates.

I received a letter from CDER Group regarding this fine, but I have not received any correspondence from TfL. This could be due to ongoing issues with Royal Mail, potentially resulting in lost letters.

The first notification I received regarding this fine was from CDER, which indicated a significantly increased amount.

Upon contacting CDER to express my intention to contact TfL, I was informed that they could not halt enforcement actions unless instructed by TfL. CDER visited my residence the following day while I was abroad for 9-12 months.

My mother, who is vulnerable and lives alone, remains at the address, and I wish to avoid causing her any distress from further visits by CDER.

Complaint Details

The following breaches of enforcement provisions have occurred:

Failure to Notify: I did not receive any correspondence from TfL before the involvement of CDER Group. As per the regulations, proper notification should have been issued.

Inadequate Time to Respond: TfL's lack of communication has denied me the opportunity to address the fine promptly, as I would have paid immediately upon receipt of any notification.

Improper Enforcement Actions: CDER's immediate action without a response from TfL breaches the requirement for fair enforcement practices.

A limited company claiming to be an Enforcement Agent charged a £75 compliance stage fee; however, it cannot recover this amount, as the fee schedule applies only to certificated individual Enforcement Agents.

Resolution Advisories

To resolve this complaint, I respectfully request the following:

Reinstatement of Original Fine Amount: I'd like to ask that you consider reinstating the original fine amount based on my lack of prior notification and genuine ignorance of the ULEZ charge.

Review of CDER’s Enforcement Actions: Review CDER's enforcement actions to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements.

Hold on Enforcement Actions: Place any enforcement actions on hold until this matter is resolved, especially to prevent further visits to my vulnerable mother.

Direct Communication: Establish a direct line of communication regarding this issue, allowing me to discuss the matter without further escalation.

Acknowledgement of Complaint: Please acknowledge receipt of this complaint and provide a timeline for when I can expect a response.

Remove the £75 compliance stage fee; CDER Group Limited has no valid certificate to avail itself to the prescribed fee schedule.

I appreciate your attention and look forward to a prompt resolution. Please contact me as soon as possible to discuss how we can move forward.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]



Let us know what happens.

@stamfordman. Well done.

Let's get the facts before the OP fires off ill-considered and procedurally questionable letters to all and sundry.

For all we know, a little bit of diligent examination of the OP's account and evidence to date might reveal a glaring and procedurally proper solution!

The logbook was not changed, I bought the vehicle in April and applied for a logbook in my name. I then went abroad with it