31 codes explained
PCN contravention codes explained
Every council Penalty Charge Notice carries a two-digit contravention code. It tells you exactly what you are accused of, and it determines which statutory ground you should argue. Find yours below.
Parking contraventions
Issued by a civil enforcement officer or by camera. The council must prove the restriction was properly ordered, properly signed and correctly observed.
- 01Parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours
- 02Parked or loading where loading restrictions are in force
- 05Parked after the expiry of paid-for time
- 06Parked without clearly displaying a valid pay and display ticket
- 07Parked with additional payment made to extend the stay
- 12Parked in a residents' or shared-use bay without a valid permit
- 16Parked in a permit space without displaying a valid permit
- 19Parked displaying an invalid permit, voucher or clock
- 21Parked in a suspended bay or space
- 22Re-parked within the same parking place
- 23Parked in a space designated for a specific vehicle type
- 24Not parked correctly within the markings of a bay
- 25Parked in a loading place during restricted hours
- 26Parked more than 50cm from the edge of the carriageway
- 27Parked adjacent to a dropped footway
- 30Parked for longer than permitted
- 40Parked in a disabled person's bay without a valid Blue Badge
- 45Parked on a taxi rank
- 46Stopped where prohibited on a red route or clearway
- 47Stopped on a restricted bus stop or stand
- 48Stopped in a restricted area outside a school
- 62Parked with one or more wheels on a footway or verge
- 99Stopped on a pedestrian crossing or crossing area
Bus lane contraventions
Camera enforced. Signage on the approach is almost always the decisive issue, because a driver must have a fair opportunity to leave the lane safely.
Moving traffic contraventions
Box junctions, banned turns, no entry and weight limits. Ask for the full uncut footage rather than the still image they send you.
- 31Entered and stopped in a box junction when prohibited
- 32Failing to drive in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign
- 33Using a route restricted to certain vehicles
- 49Driving through a barred area marked by a solid white line
- 52Failing to comply with a prohibited turn
- 53Failing to comply with a no-entry restriction
- 61Failing to comply with a weight or width restriction
Cannot find your code?
Some authorities use additional codes and suffixes. Start an appeal anyway — you can leave the code blank and Voidly will work from your other answers.
Start my appealBrowse by council·Private parking charge instead?
Codes and their interpretation vary between authorities. Always check the description printed on your own notice.