Parking Mate UK
Contravention Codes

Find the Contravention Code on Your Council PCN

Every council PCN has a contravention code. Find the code on your notice to understand what the council alleges, what evidence is needed, and which challenge grounds may apply.

Council PCNsOn-StreetOff-StreetBus LaneMoving Traffic
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What we cover

On-street parking codes (01-66)

Off-street parking codes (70-96)

Moving traffic, bus lane, and TfL codes

Choose your contravention code below for targeted help.

A contravention code is the short code printed on a council Penalty Charge Notice. It tells you the exact parking, bus lane, moving traffic, or road user charge allegation.

Choose the code shown on your PCN to see what it means, common evidence issues, and how Parking Mate UK can prepare a code-specific challenge.

On-street parking

On-Street Parking Contravention Codes

Use this section for yellow lines, permit bays, paid bays, suspended bays, loading bays, footway parking, and other on-street council parking PCNs.

Code 01On-streetParked in a restricted street during prescribed hoursCode 02On-streetParked or loading / unloading in a restricted street where waiting and loading / unloading restrictions are in forceCode 04On-streetParked in a meter bay when penalty time is indicatedCode 05On-streetParked after the expiry of paid for timeCode 06On-streetParked without clearly displaying a valid pay & display ticket or voucherCode 07On-streetParked with payment made to extend the stay beyond initial timeCode 08On-streetParked at an out-of-order meter during controlled hoursCode 09On-streetParked displaying multiple pay & display tickets where prohibitedCode 10On-streetParked without clearly displaying two valid pay and display tickets when requiredCode 11On-streetParked without payment of the parking chargeCode 12On-streetParked in a residents' or shared use parking place or zone without a valid virtual permit or clearly displaying a valid physical permit or voucher or pay and display ticket issued for that place where required, or without payment of the parking chargeCode 14On-streetParked in an electric vehicles' charging place during restricted hours without chargingCode 16On-streetParked in a permit space or zone without a valid virtual permit or clearly displaying a valid physical permit where requiredCode 18On-streetUsing a vehicle in a parking place in connection with the sale or offering or exposing for sale of goods when prohibitedCode 19On-streetParked in a residents' or shared use parking place or zone with an invalid virtual permit or displaying an invalid physical permit or voucher or pay and display ticket, or after the expiry of paid for timeCode 20On-streetParked in a part of a parking place marked by a yellow line where waiting is prohibitedCode 21On-streetParked wholly or partly in a suspended bay or spaceCode 22On-streetRe-parked in the same parking place or zone within one hour after leavingCode 23On-streetParked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicleCode 24On-streetNot parked correctly within the markings of the bay or spaceCode 25On-streetParked in a loading place or bay during restricted hours without loadingCode 26On-streetParked in a special enforcement area more than 50 cm from the edge of the carriageway and not within a designated parking placeCode 27On-streetParked in a special enforcement area adjacent to a footway, cycle track or verge lowered to meet the level of the carriagewayCode 28On-streetParked in a special enforcement area on part of the carriageway raised to meet the level of a footway, cycle track or vergeCode 30On-streetParked for longer than permittedCode 35On-streetParked in a disc parking place without clearly displaying a valid discCode 40On-streetParked in a designated disabled person's parking place without displaying a valid disabled person's badge in the prescribed mannerCode 41On-streetStopped in a parking place designated for diplomatic vehiclesCode 42On-streetParked in a parking place designated for police vehiclesCode 43On-streetStopped on a cycle docking station parking placeCode 45On-streetStopped on a taxi rankCode 46On-streetStopped where prohibited (on a red route or clearway)Code 47On-streetStopped on a restricted bus stop or standCode 48On-streetStopped in a restricted area outside a school, a hospital or a fire, police or ambulance station when prohibitedCode 49On-streetParked wholly or partly on a cycle track or laneCode 55On-streetA commercial vehicle parked in a restricted street in contravention of the Overnight Waiting BanCode 56On-streetParked in contravention of a commercial vehicle waiting restrictionCode 57On-streetParked in contravention of a bus banCode 61On-streetA heavy commercial vehicle wholly or partly parked on a footway, verge or land between two carriagewaysCode 62On-streetParked with one or more wheels on or over a footpath or any part of a road other than a carriagewayCode 63On-streetParked with engine running where prohibitedCode 64On-streetParked in contravention of a notice prohibiting leaving vehicles on a grass verge, garden, lawn or green maintained by a local authorityCode 65On-streetParked in contravention of a notice prohibiting leaving vehicles on land laid out as a public garden or used for the purpose of public recreationCode 66On-streetParked on a verge, central reservation or footway comprised in an urban roadCode 99On-streetStopped on a pedestrian crossing or a crossing area marked by zigzags
Off-street parking

Council Car Park Contravention Codes

Use this section for off-street council car park PCNs, including pay and display, expired paid time, permit issues, bay markings, and car park restrictions.

Code 70Off-streetParked in a loading place or bay during restricted hours without loadingCode 71Off-streetParked in an electric vehicles' charging place during restricted hours without chargingCode 73Off-streetParked without payment of the parking chargeCode 74Off-streetUsing a vehicle in a parking place in connection with the sale or offering or exposing for sale of goods when prohibitedCode 80Off-streetParked for longer than permittedCode 81Off-streetParked in a restricted area in a car parkCode 82Off-streetParked after the expiry of paid for timeCode 83Off-streetParked in a car park without clearly displaying a valid pay & display ticket or voucher or parking clockCode 84Off-streetParked with payment made to extend the stay beyond initial timeCode 85Off-streetParked without a valid virtual permit or clearly displaying a valid physical permit where requiredCode 86Off-streetNot parked correctly within the markings of a bay or spaceCode 87Off-streetParked in a designated disabled person's parking place without displaying a valid disabled person's badge in the prescribed mannerCode 89Off-streetVehicle parked exceeds maximum weight or height or length permittedCode 90Off-streetRe-parked in the same car park within one hour after leavingCode 91Off-streetParked in a car park or area not designated for that class of vehicleCode 92Off-streetParked causing an obstructionCode 93Off-streetParked in car park when closedCode 94Off-streetParked in a pay & display car park without clearly displaying two valid pay and display tickets when requiredCode 95Off-streetParked in a parking place for a purpose other than that designatedCode 96Off-streetParked with engine running where prohibited
Bus lane

Bus Lane Contravention Codes

Use this section for bus lane, bus gate, and restricted route PCNs captured by camera enforcement.

Code 33Bus laneUsing a route restricted to certain vehiclesCode 34Bus laneBeing in a bus lane
Moving traffic

Moving Traffic Contravention Codes

Use this section for box junctions, banned turns, no entry, pedestrian zones, and other camera-enforced moving traffic PCNs.

Code 31Moving trafficEntering and stopping in a box junction when prohibitedCode 32Moving trafficFailing to drive in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue signCode 37Moving trafficFailing to give way to oncoming vehiclesCode 38Moving trafficFailing to comply with a sign indicating that vehicular traffic must pass to the specified side of the signCode 50Moving trafficPerforming a prohibited turnCode 51Moving trafficFailing to comply with a no entry restrictionCode 52Moving trafficFailing to comply with a prohibition on certain types of vehicleCode 53Moving trafficFailing to comply with a restriction on vehicles entering a pedestrian zoneCode 54Moving trafficFailing to comply with a restriction on vehicles entering and waiting in a pedestrian zone
TfL

TfL Road User Charge Codes

Use this section for Congestion Charge, ULEZ, and LEZ PCNs issued by Transport for London.

TFL-CCTfLCongestion Charge: failure to pay the daily charge for driving in the Congestion Charge zoneTFL-ULEZTfLULEZ: driving a non-compliant vehicle within the Ultra Low Emission ZoneTFL-LEZTfLLEZ: driving a non-compliant vehicle within the Low Emission Zone
FAQs

Contravention Code FAQs

Common questions about parking ticket appeals and how the service works.

What is a contravention code on a parking ticket?

A contravention code is a two-digit number (or TfL reference) printed on a council penalty charge notice that identifies the specific type of parking or traffic offence alleged. Each contravention code has a defined description and falls under a specific enforcement scheme with its own rules.

Where do I find the contravention code on my PCN?

The contravention code is usually printed on the front of your penalty charge notice, often near the top or in a summary section. It appears as a two-digit number (such as 01, 05, or 82) or a TfL reference code. If you cannot find it, upload your PCN and Parking Mate UK will identify the contravention code automatically.

Can the council use the wrong contravention code on my PCN?

Yes. Councils sometimes use the wrong contravention code on a PCN. If the code does not accurately describe what happened, this is a valid ground for challenging the notice. For example, if you were issued a code for overstaying in a paid bay but you had actually paid for the correct period, the code may be wrong.

Are on-street and off-street contravention codes different?

Yes. On-street contravention codes range from 01 to 66 and cover restrictions on public roads. Off-street codes range from 70 to 96 and apply in council-managed car parks. The two ranges have different rules around signage, evidence, and enforcement procedures.

What contravention codes are used for bus lane and moving traffic offences?

Bus lane contraventions typically use codes 33 and 34. Moving traffic offences use codes 31 (box junction), 32 (failing to follow a sign), 50 (banned turn), 51 (no entry), and others in the 50s range. These are usually camera-enforced and have different evidence requirements from standard parking PCNs.

Do TfL PCNs use the same contravention codes as council PCNs?

No. TfL uses its own reference codes for the Congestion Charge (TFL-CC), ULEZ (TFL-ULEZ), and LEZ (TFL-LEZ). These are distinct from the numeric contravention codes used by local authorities for parking and traffic enforcement.

How does the contravention code affect my appeal options?

The contravention code determines which enforcement scheme applies, which in turn determines the specific rules the council must have followed. Different codes have different signage requirements, evidence standards, and procedural obligations. A challenge based on the correct code-specific rules is more likely to succeed.

What happens if my contravention code is for a higher-band offence?

Higher-band contravention codes attract a higher penalty charge. However, the higher band does not change your right to challenge. The same procedural, signage, and evidence requirements apply regardless of the penalty band. If defects are present, the ticket can be challenged at any level.

Can I challenge a PCN if I disagree with the contravention code description?

Yes. If the description of the contravention code does not match what actually happened, this is a strong ground for challenge. You can make representations to the council explaining why the code is inaccurate and, if rejected, appeal to the independent tribunal.

How does Parking Mate UK use the contravention code?

Parking Mate UK reads the contravention code from your PCN and applies the specific rules for that code. It checks whether the code matches the alleged offence, whether the required signage was in place, whether the evidence meets the standard for that code, and whether the procedural requirements were followed. This produces a code-specific defect report.

Know your contravention code? Find your page above

Or upload your notice and Parking Mate UK identifies the code automatically and checks for defects specific to your situation.

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