TfL Code 32 PCN Appeal: Direction of Travel (2026)

1. What does TfL Code 32 mean?

TfL Code 32 concerns failing to comply with a prescribed direction of travel. The suffix and wording distinguish the alleged movement, such as travelling against the required direction or failing to turn as directed.

Contravention

Code 32: failing to proceed in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign

Issuing authority

Transport for London

Formal representation deadline

28 days beginning with service of the 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?

Identify the mandatory arrow or one-way direction applicable to your approach. Check its position, visibility and any lane-specific application against the camera recording; a sign facing another entrance does not establish what your approach conveyed.

• The required direction: identify the actual arrow, its position and the junction or road length to which it applies. The PCN and its images should make the alleged failure understandable.
• The legal restriction: where an order is needed, its operative article, schedule or map must cover the approach and movement alleged. Some roundabout and dual-carriageway arrangements have specific statutory exceptions to the usual order requirement.
• Sign placement and visibility: check whether the sign faced your approach before you committed to the manoeuvre. For standalone signs, the Manual distinguishes a horizontal junction arrow, an ahead-only sign immediately before the junction and a turn-ahead sign normally placed in advance. There is no universal requirement for two blue signs.
• Lighting: identify whether the arrow was standalone, bollard-mounted or fixed to traffic signals. Standalone signs have conditional lighting rules; the signal-mounted version has its own internal-lighting requirement. An assessment must use the rule for the actual installation.
• The complete movement: CCTV should establish the vehicle, junction and direction taken. A still photograph of a vehicle near a sign may not show that it passed or disobeyed it. Compare any older sign photographs with the layout on the incident date.
• Liability and notice: check the PCN description, date of service and the owner or qualifying hire documents. A vehicle registration alone does not resolve a properly evidenced liability dispute.

3. Grounds and exemptions for a TfL Code 32 appeal

Use only an exception applicable to the sign or restriction, or evidence of an authorised direction. A sat-nav instruction is not permission to ignore a mandatory direction.

• The camera recording does not show the movement described on the PCN.
• The relevant direction sign was obscured, not applicable to your lane or not adequately visible before the manoeuvre.
• The restriction relied on does not cover that approach or movement, or an applicable direction or exemption authorised it.
• 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

Send your formal representation to TfL within 28 days beginning with service of the Code 32 PCN.

The initial 50% discount runs for 14 days beginning with the date of the 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 32 ground you rely on. Include evidence of the direction sign, approach lane and manoeuvre recorded by TfL.
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?

London Tribunals says the authority "should normally respond to representations within 3 months". Keep the acknowledgement showing when TfL received yours.

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.

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 32 grounds and include the notice, your representation and the supporting evidence.

If TfL contests the appeal, review its evidence pack against the direction sign, approach lane and manoeuvre recorded by TfL. 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: Mandatory direction signs

62 of 152 recorded cases were allowed (40.8%).

Full Code 32 PCN Appeal Guide

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