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#Post#: 126760--------------------------------------------------
ULEZ PCN received
DIR By: apricot1157
Date: August 4, 2026, 12:28 am
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Hi folks,
Recently received a PCN from TfL for driving within ULEZ with a
non-compliant vehicle.
I've had the same car for a number of years, 2011 diesel, and
early in my ownership of the car I did pay ULEZ fees for
journeys as the TfL checker showed my vehicle was non-compliant.
Then, 2-3 years ago I put a private registration number plate on
the car, and for reasons unknown to me, the TfL checker stated
that my vehicle was now compliant, so I didn't need to pay. I
didn't give TfL my V5 or have any dealings with them for them to
make this decision.
A month ago I placed the original plate back on the vehicle and
to date, TfL's checker still hasn't updated with my vehicle
details. At the time of contravention, I naively thought, why
pay the ULEZ fee if the outcome of TfL updating their database
could mean my vehicle remains compliant?
I genuinely don't know the inner workings of TfL's databases,
what is updated, when, or more importantly, why they considered
my vehicle to be non-compliant (years ago), then on the private
reg it was considered ULEZ compliant without any input from me,
but now they don't hold any information about my vehicle a month
onwards? (But supposedly they did have vehicle details when
previously on the original number plate, when I did pay ULEZ
years ago).
I did take screenshots of the checker when previously driving on
private reg which said my vehicle was compliant, but I don't
know how helpful these would be when making representations.
I had even emailed TfL customer services before my journey
querying the above (at the time, a hypothetical scenario, I
wasn't sure when or what the outcome of their online checker
would be).
I'd be grateful for any input on challenging this.
Edit: PCN states: For the following: the use of a vehicle on a
road in the charging area to which a charging scheme applies
without payment of the appropriate charge, at the time and
location stated below:
#Post#: 126764--------------------------------------------------
Re: ULEZ PCN received
DIR By: RichardW
Date: August 4, 2026, 3:56 am
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Presumably the private reg had previously been on a car that was
compliant and the system had not been updated to show it was now
on a non-compliant car. Having reverted to the original reg
this was still in the database as non compliant. You could
appeal on the basis of expectation that it was OK, but that
might cause TFL to look back and try and send a raft of PCNs
[although I am not sure they can do that]. Might be best to pay
this one and keep quiet about the last 3 years....
#Post#: 126767--------------------------------------------------
Re: ULEZ PCN received
DIR By: apricot1157
Date: August 4, 2026, 4:25 am
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--- Quote from: RichardW link ---
>
> Presumably the private reg had previously been on a car that
was compliant and the system had not been updated to show it was
now on a non-compliant car. Having reverted to the original reg
this was still in the database as non compliant. You could
appeal on the basis of expectation that it was OK, but that
might cause TFL to look back and try and send a raft of PCNs
[although I am not sure they can do that]. Might be best to pay
this one and keep quiet about the last 3 years....
>
--- End Quote ---
Thanks for your reply.
Unlikely that the private reg was on another car previously, as
I bought it directly from DVLA.
When TfL considered the vehicle as compliant with ULEZ whilst on
the private reg, I thought perhaps they had updated their
databases, or adjusted some measure in their criteria of what's
"compliant" - didn't think much more of it. That's why I
hesitated with not paying ULEZ on the original plates, thinking
whatever made the previous reg compliant should carry over, it's
the same car.
Toying with the idea of just paying it...
PCN states: For the following: the use of a vehicle on a road in
the charging area to which a charging scheme applies without
payment of the appropriate charge, at the time and location
stated below:
#Post#: 126768--------------------------------------------------
Re: ULEZ PCN received
DIR By: fraser.mitchell
Date: August 4, 2026, 4:43 am
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Pleawse post the PCN, redact only name and address
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