Free Traffic Legal Advice

Dear all, I have held my full UK driving license for ~10 years. I exchanged my EU one when I first came here to do my BSc, but this is actually the first time I ever have to deal with a traffic offence in this country.

Upon receipt of the NIP today, I went to https://www.avonandsomersetpas.co.uk/ to check the photos and all info about the alleged offence. However, the website tells me that basically all clicks and button presses are recorded, which stressed me out, so I decided to sit on my hands before I research this matter, to avoid causing myself any harm. It seems the process is a lot more different and complicated than back home, where we just get a cheque to pay...

So I did some googling and read the "read this first" post, and here I am.


As such, I have not yet seen the photos. Below I provide the information that based on my search seem relevant and I ask for guidance on the best course of action and indication on what to expect in terms of payable fines and points.

This is the location, where a dual carriageway goes from 70-40-30 as the road gets narrower (and vice versa in the opposite direction). I suspect I started accelerating too soon, or maybe started slowing down too late.

I am the RK of the car and between my partner and I, I was the one driving (as far as I best remember).

I have no income in the UK, but I do have a ~20k PhD scholarship stipend which is untaxable and do not count as income for the purpose of banks (I don't know if this counts as income for the police in this case). I am also PT employed in my home country, I do a few hours of remote work to support my studies, this accounts to £7-800 a month depending on exchange rates.

I never had any points on my UK licence nor my EU licence since I obtained it in 2011. I just have a PCN (which ironically happened recently, as we say trouble never comes solo...)

As I understand I have to submit the driver details within 28 days. Then I will either plead guilty on the follow up form and accept some fixed fine or I will have to appear in court.

Wishful thinking here, but is there any chance I could get off with a warning as a first time offender (this is often the case back home), or at least not receive points [thinking of my insurance here] ( plead for the speed awareness course?) ? 

What are the possible outcomes in either case? (going to court vs. pleading guilty beforehand)

Thanks in advance.

Thanks for both of you. Here is a draft I put together based on this and the other posts and some googling, could you please check if this is sound:


I make representations against the above Penalty Charge Notice BS66298164 on the ground that there has been a procedural impropriety on the part of the enforcement authority.


1. The PCN unlawfully demands payment exceeding the penalty charge, where the PCN states:

* “The amount due is the PCN charge plus the CAZ daily charge”
* “The amount due is currently £69”
* Payment options of £69 (discounted) and £129 (full amount)

These statements demonstrate that the PCN **requires payment of a sum comprising both the penalty charge and the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) daily charge**.

Under the **Road User Charging Schemes (Penalty Charges, Adjudication and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013**, a Penalty Charge Notice may require payment of a **penalty charge only**. There is no provision within the Regulations that permits the enforcement authority to demand payment of the underlying road user charge within the PCN itself.

The CAZ daily charge is a **separate liability**, arising under the charging scheme, and is not part of the statutory penalty.

By stating that “the amount due” includes both elements, and by presenting combined figures (£69 / £129), the PCN:

* Purports to require payment exceeding the penalty charge;
* Misstates the legal basis of liability;
* Fails to correctly convey the recipient’s obligations under the statutory scheme.

This renders the PCN **non-compliant with the requirements of Regulation 7** and amounts to a procedural impropriety.

In addition, I direct the authority to Case number IA01249-1803 dated 22nd March 2018 in front of Caroline Shephard, Chief Adjudicator, Traffic Penalty Tribunal, where the decision highlights:

"There is no power in Regulation 7 for the PCN to require the road user charge to be paid in addition to the penalty charge."


2. The PCN was served outside the statutory period

The PCN states:

* Date of contravention: 07/02/2026
* Deemed date of service: 11/03/2026

This represents a period of 33 days between the date of contravention and the date of service.

Regulation 10 requires that a PCN be served within 28 days beginning with the date of the contravention.



For the reasons set out in grounds 1 and 2 above, the PCN is not compliant with the statutory requirements and cannot be enforced.

I therefore request that the Penalty Charge Notice be cancelled.



Yours faithfully,

Yes, it is addressed to me. The vehicle is mine, V5 is on my name.

What does it mean if the PCN is "out of time"?

I am attaching pages 3-4 below.

Thanks.