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Camera-detected bus and transit lane fines arrive quickly and can feel hard to argue against, but there are genuine legal exemptions that cause a meaningful number of these notices to be overturned. If you had the right number of passengers for a T2 or T3 lane, were in an emergency, drive an exempt vehicle, or the lane signage was unclear, Refund can identify the grounds and lodge a formal review with the issuing authority on your behalf.

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Common grounds to dispute

Sufficient occupants for T2/T3

T2 lanes require 2 or more occupants; T3 lanes require 3 or more. If your vehicle met the threshold, the fine should not have been issued and Refund will document it.

Emergency situation

Genuine emergencies that required you to enter a restricted lane are a recognised ground. Refund will help you present the circumstances clearly.

Unclear or missing signage

Lane restrictions must be clearly signed and enforced. Absent, obstructed, or confusing signage weakens the issuing authority’s case significantly.

Exempt vehicle

Certain vehicles — including some mobility vehicles and emergency-services-adjacent vehicles — are exempt from lane restrictions. Refund checks whether your vehicle qualifies.

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How Refund handles your lane fine dispute

1

Upload your notice

Take a photo of the infringement notice and upload it at refund.co.nz/case/bus-lane. The agent reads the details automatically.
2

Tell Refund about your journey

Share how many people were in the car, why you were in the lane, and any other relevant details — signage issues, road conditions, or the nature of your trip.
3

Review the draft review letter

Refund identifies your strongest grounds under the Land Transport Act and relevant bylaws, then drafts a formal dispute letter for your approval before anything is sent.
4

Refund tracks it to resolution

After you approve, the agent sends the review, monitors the deadline, and follows up with the authority until a decision is reached.
Card transaction history or receipts from your trip — such as a café receipt or parking record — can help establish how many people were in the vehicle or confirm you were travelling for a legitimate purpose. Include any you have when starting your case.

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What you’ll need

The infringement notice

A clear photo or PDF of your bus or transit lane fine, showing the notice number, date, lane, and amount.

Number of occupants

How many people were in the vehicle at the time — critical for any T2 or T3 lane dispute.

Your reason for being in the lane

A brief description of why you were in the restricted lane: the number of passengers, an emergency, or any other relevant circumstance.

Supporting evidence (if available)

Photos of the signage, receipts, or any other evidence that supports your account of the trip.

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Prefer to hand it off entirely?

Go to refund.co.nz/case/bus-lane, upload your notice and answer a few questions. Refund drafts the review and sends it with your approval.

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Frequently asked questions

A bus lane is reserved for buses (and sometimes taxis or cyclists). T2 and T3 transit lanes are for vehicles with 2 or more, or 3 or more, occupants respectively — they’re designed to encourage carpooling. Fines for all three types are handled by Refund.
No. Whether the fine was issued by an Auckland Transport camera, a local council system, or any other authority, Refund identifies the right party and routes the dispute correctly from your notice.
Nothing unless Refund saves you money. The success fee is 25% of what is saved; if the dispute is unsuccessful, you pay nothing.