Written question asked by Mike Freer (Conservative) on Monday, 14 February 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 February 2011. It was answered by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 8 March 2011 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Taxis: Road Traffic Offences

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the owners of private hire vehicles are able to transfer liability for parking control notices (PCNs) to the driver at the time of offence but are not able to do so in respect of PCNs issued for bus lane violation.

Answer: Regulations made by the Government for parking enforcement in England (including London) under the Traffic Management Act 2004 and for bus lanes enforcement in England outside London under the Transport Act 2000, enable the keeper of a vehicle that was, at the material time, hired from a vehicle hire company under a hiring agreement, to pass responsibility for the payment of any penalty charge notice (PCN) incurred to the hirer.The legislation that was sponsored by London local authorities to enable enforcement of bus lanes in London—the London Local Authorities Act 1996—does not provide an equivalent power to the vehicle keeper. The Mayor of London, along with the London local authorities, has policy responsibility for this locally-sponsored legislation. I have drawn this exchange to the attention of the Mayor.

Secondary information