Codes & grounds
PCN contravention codes
Every council and TfL Penalty Charge Notice carries a numeric contravention code from the London Councils common framework. Find yours below to see what it means, which penalty band it sits in, and the statutory grounds for appeal that most often apply.
pcnappeal.uk explains UK PCN codes and appeal grounds for informational purposes. Procedural deadlines are time-critical — always check the date on your PCN. This site is not affiliated with TfL, London Councils, any local authority, the Traffic Penalty Tribunal or London Tribunals. For complex or contested appeals, consult Citizens Advice or a qualified solicitor.
| Meaning | Detail | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours. | Higher-level | View |
| 02 | Parked or loading / unloading in a restricted street where waiting and loading / unloading restrictions are in force. | Higher-level | View |
| 05 | Parked after the expiry of paid-for time. | Lower-level | View |
| 06 | Parked without clearly displaying a valid pay & display ticket or voucher. | Lower-level | View |
| 12 | Parked in a residents' or shared-use parking place or zone without a valid virtual permit or clearly displaying a valid physical permit, voucher or pay & display ticket where required, or without payment of the parking charge. | Higher-level | View |
| 16 | Parked in a permit space or zone without a valid virtual permit or clearly displaying a valid physical permit where required. | Higher-level | View |
| 19 | Parked in a residents' or shared-use parking place or zone with an invalid virtual permit or displaying an invalid physical permit, voucher or pay & display ticket, or after the expiry of paid-for time. | Lower-level | View |
| 21 | Parked wholly or partly in a suspended bay or space. | Higher-level | View |
| 23 | Parked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicle. | Higher-level | View |
| 24 | Not parked correctly within the markings of the bay or space. | Lower-level | View |
| 25 | Parked in a loading place or bay during restricted hours without loading. | Higher-level | View |
| 30 | Parked for longer than permitted. | Lower-level | View |
| 40 | Parked in a designated disabled person's parking place without clearly displaying a valid disabled person's badge in the prescribed manner. | Higher-level | View |
| 45 | Stopped on a taxi rank. | Higher-level | View |
| 46 | Stopped where prohibited (on a red route or clearway). | Higher-level | View |
| 47 | Stopped on a restricted bus stop or stand. | Higher-level | View |
| 48 | Stopped in a restricted area outside a school, a hospital or a fire, police or ambulance station when prohibited. | Higher-level | View |
| 99 | Stopped on a pedestrian crossing or crossing area marked by zigzags. | Higher-level | View |
Showing 18 of the most-looked-up parking contravention codes. Authorities outside London publish their own lists under the same regime — always check the code printed on your own notice.