> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.refund.co.nz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Dispute Your Bus or Transit Lane Camera Fine in NZ

> Camera-issued bus lane, T2/T3, or special-vehicle lane fine? Refund checks your grounds and lodges the dispute — no win, no fee.

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.

## Common grounds to dispute

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Sufficient occupants for T2/T3" icon="users">
    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.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Emergency situation" icon="siren">
    Genuine emergencies that required you to enter a restricted lane are a recognised ground. Refund will help you present the circumstances clearly.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Unclear or missing signage" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    Lane restrictions must be clearly signed and enforced. Absent, obstructed, or confusing signage weakens the issuing authority's case significantly.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Exempt vehicle" icon="car">
    Certain vehicles — including some mobility vehicles and emergency-services-adjacent vehicles — are exempt from lane restrictions. Refund checks whether your vehicle qualifies.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How Refund handles your lane fine dispute

<Steps>
  <Step title="Upload your notice">
    Take a photo of the infringement notice and upload it at [refund.co.nz/case/bus-lane](https://refund.co.nz/case/bus-lane). The agent reads the details automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  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.
</Tip>

## What you'll need

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="The infringement notice" icon="file-lines">
    A clear photo or PDF of your bus or transit lane fine, showing the notice number, date, lane, and amount.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Number of occupants" icon="users">
    How many people were in the vehicle at the time — critical for any T2 or T3 lane dispute.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Your reason for being in the lane" icon="message">
    A brief description of why you were in the restricted lane: the number of passengers, an emergency, or any other relevant circumstance.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Supporting evidence (if available)" icon="camera">
    Photos of the signage, receipts, or any other evidence that supports your account of the trip.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Prefer to hand it off entirely?

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Chat interface">
    Go to [refund.co.nz/case/bus-lane](https://refund.co.nz/case/bus-lane), upload your notice and answer a few questions. Refund drafts the review and sends it with your approval.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Autonomous agent">
    Launch the autonomous agent to hand the whole process over. The agent drafts, sends, and chases the authority without needing further input from you.

    [Launch the agent →](https://refund.co.nz/launch?type=bus-lane)
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What's the difference between a bus lane and a T2/T3 transit lane?">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does it matter which camera caught me?">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What does it cost?">
    Nothing unless Refund saves you money. The success fee is 25% of what is saved; if the dispute is unsuccessful, you pay nothing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is this legal advice?">
    No. Refund provides general information and manages the administrative dispute process. It is not a law firm and is not affiliated with any council or government agency.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>