TfL Code 21 PCN Appeal: Suspended Bay (2026)

1. What does TfL Code 21 mean?

TfL Code 21 alleges that your vehicle was parked in a suspended bay, space or part of a parking place. A suspension temporarily withdraws the bay's normal permission: the exact spaces, dates and times on the suspension notice matter.

Contravention

Code 21 alleges parking in a suspended bay, space or part of a parking place

Category

On-Street Parking PCNs

Issuing authority

Transport for London

Formal representation deadline

28 days beginning with service of the Notice to Owner or postal parking PCN.

Appeal route

TfL, then London Tribunals after a formal Notice of Rejection.

Penalty and discount

£160, reduced by 50% to £80 during the applicable discount period.

Appealing during the discount

TfL pauses the discount period when it receives your representation within that period. If rejected, the remaining discount period resumes from the point it was paused.

2. What must TfL establish?

Match the temporary suspension notice to the bay and the vehicle's position. Read the full location description, dates and hours, including any amendment. Photograph the warning notice alongside the permanent red-route bay sign.

• The suspension must have a lawful basis under the applicable parking order or other power and cover the space the vehicle occupied.
• Use the suspension dates, hours and extent actually in force, including any amendment or cancellation, rather than an earlier booking alone.
• Temporary signing must adequately convey which spaces are suspended and when. Compare the sign-erection record with the vehicle's arrival where notice is disputed.
• Any permission must expressly cover the suspended space, vehicle and activity. An ordinary permit, payment or Blue Badge does not generally override the suspension.

3. Grounds and exemptions for a TfL Code 21 appeal

An ordinary parking permission or Blue Badge does not override a suspension. Check any express authorisation and whether it covered this vehicle, space and period.

• Your vehicle was outside the suspended spaces or the suspension was not operating at the PCN time.
• The temporary notice did not adequately identify the affected spaces or was not in place when relevant. Support this with dated photographs and the sign-erection record.
• TfL had cancelled or amended the suspension, or gave specific permission covering your vehicle and activity.
• If ownership, hire liability, payment or the amount demanded is disputed, explain the applicable statutory ground and attach the records supporting it.

4. How to challenge your PCN with TfL

For an on-street parking ticket, send TfL an initial challenge. Formal representations are made within 28 days beginning with service of the Notice to Owner, or directly against a postal parking PCN.

The 50% discount normally runs for 14 days from service, or 21 days for an approved-device postal parking PCN. TfL pauses the discount period when it receives your representation within that period. If rejected, the remaining discount period resumes from the point it was paused.

1. Open TfL's PCN service below using your PCN number and vehicle registration.
2. Explain the Code 21 ground you rely on. Include evidence of the suspension's extent, warning signs and the time your vehicle arrived.
3. Submit in the name of the person or organisation on the notice, including written authorisation where a representative acts for them.
4. For a postal representation, use Red routes, PO Box 335, Darlington DL1 9PU. Keep a copy and allow time for delivery.
5. Save your completed submission, attachments and dated acknowledgement.

5. How long does TfL have to respond?

TfL must serve its decision within 56 days beginning with receipt of qualifying formal parking representations. If it does not, those representations are deemed accepted. This period applies to formal representations, not the initial informal challenge.

6. If TfL rejects your representation

Following a formal rejection, you have 28 days beginning with service to pay or register an appeal with London Tribunals. Use the appeal instructions and verification details supplied with TfL's decision.

An initial informal parking rejection is a different stage: formal representations can be made against the Notice to Owner if one follows.

7. Taking your TfL appeal to London Tribunals

Register with the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators at London Tribunals, the independent tribunal for this PCN. Set out your Code 21 grounds and include the notice, your representation and the supporting evidence.

If TfL contests the appeal, review its evidence pack against the suspension's extent, warning signs and the time your vehicle arrived. Respond to the tribunal's directions by the dates it gives you.

There is no fee to register an appeal. If refused, the full penalty is normally payable; the earlier discount does not automatically continue.

Other TfL notices and appeal routes

This contravention uses the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators route. TfL's ULEZ, LEZ, Congestion Charge and tunnel charging penalties use the separate Road User Charging Adjudicators route.

2025 TfL tribunal results: Suspended bays and spaces

40 of 69 recorded cases were allowed (58.0%).

Full Code 21 PCN Appeal Guide

Read the detailed legislation, signage requirements, exemptions and case analysis for this contravention.