It wasn't me driving
Someone else had the car — family, a friend, a buyer on a test drive. The charge still lands on the registered keeper's doormat. What you do next decides who, if anyone, is liable.
Phrases to look for on your letter: “as the registered keeper” · “the driver of the vehicle”
Why this is an appealable position
Private operators can pursue the DRIVER by contract, and the KEEPER only via POFA 2012 keeper liability — which demands strict notice timing and wording. You are not obliged to name the driver. If POFA conditions fail and the driver stays unidentified, liability can attach to no one. If you sold the vehicle before the event, liability is a matter for DVLA records: send the operator your date-of-sale evidence.
Your position is strongest when
- POFA notice windows or wording failed (see the late-letter page)
- Vehicle was sold before the event (V5C/DVLA confirmation)
- Vehicle or plate was stolen/cloned at the time (crime reference)
Evidence to gather now
- DVLA notification of sale / V5C new-keeper slip
- Crime reference for theft or cloning
- The NtK and its dates
Your first move
Respond as keeper only. Never name the driver casually — state the vehicle's status (sold/stolen/keeper-only response) and put the operator to proof of keeper liability.
Build my appeal letter — £9.99Answer 8 questions about what happened and get a ready-to-send appeal letter in minutes.
Common questions
Isn't refusing to name the driver dishonest?
No — it is a right Parliament deliberately preserved. POFA exists precisely because operators wanted keeper liability, and it comes with conditions they must meet.
Who issued your ticket?
Private operators and councils run entirely different appeal routes. Find your operator to see whether your independent appeal goes to POPLA or the IAS — or read the council PCN route if your letter says “Penalty Charge Notice”.