Every council penalty charge notice carries a contravention code. Find yours below to see what it actually means — and the grounds that commonly win an appeal.
Your code is printed on the front of your penalty charge notice. Codes differ slightly between councils — the list below covers the most common on-street and off-street codes used across England, Scotland and Wales.
Issued for parking on public roads — yellow lines, bays, resident zones, crossings and similar restrictions.
You parked on a yellow line (single or double) when waiting restrictions applied. The times should be shown on nearby signs or, in some areas, on zone entry signs.
Common grounds for appeal: Missing, faded or obscured signs and lines are strong grounds. Loading is usually permitted unless there are loading restrictions — if you were actively loading, say so and provide evidence such as a delivery note.
Similar to Code 01, but the road also has loading restrictions, usually shown by kerb markings (blips) and a sign.
Common grounds for appeal: Check the kerb markings were visible and the sign was present and legible. If markings were worn away or hidden by parked vehicles, photograph them.
Your pay-and-display ticket, pay-by-phone session or permit had run out before you returned or moved the car.
Common grounds for appeal: Evidence of a payment session, a machine fault, or a failed app transaction can help. Councils often allow a short grace period, and a faulty machine should be reported in your appeal.
You may have paid, but the ticket fell off the dashboard, was upside down, or was hidden behind a sun strip.
Common grounds for appeal: If you still have the valid ticket or a payment record, provide it. Many councils cancel where a genuine ticket was bought, especially on a first occasion.
Known as 'feeding the meter'. You topped up a pay-and-display ticket instead of leaving when the maximum stay ended.
Common grounds for appeal: Check the signs actually prohibited returning or extending. If the maximum stay was unclear on the signage, photograph it.
The bay was reserved for permit holders (or permit holders plus paid parking) and you had neither displayed.
Common grounds for appeal: If you held a valid visitor permit, voucher or pay-by-phone session, provide proof. Unclear bay markings or missing zone signs are also common grounds.
Similar to Code 12 — the bay required a permit and none (or an invalid one) was shown.
Common grounds for appeal: Produce the permit if you had one, including a digital permit record. A valid permit that simply wasn't displayed often succeeds on appeal.
A permit or ticket was displayed, but it was expired, for the wrong zone, or otherwise invalid.
Common grounds for appeal: If the permit was valid for the area, provide evidence. Zone boundaries that are not clearly signed can also be challenged.
The bay was suspended (for example for works or a removal) and you parked in it anyway.
Common grounds for appeal: Suspension signs must be in place with adequate notice. If the suspension sign was not visible when you parked, or was placed after you arrived, photograph everything.
You left a time-limited bay and returned before the 'no return within' period had passed.
Common grounds for appeal: Check the sign for the exact no-return window. If you moved to a genuinely different bay or street, explain and provide evidence of where you parked.
The bay was reserved for a specific type of vehicle, such as motorcycles, loading only, or doctors' bays.
Common grounds for appeal: If the bay markings or signs were unclear about the vehicle class, photograph them. Evidence that your vehicle did qualify is also strong.
Your wheels or bodywork crossed the white lines of the bay, or you were parked outside the bay altogether.
Common grounds for appeal: Photograph the bay. Faded markings, bays too small for a normal car, or being forced out by another vehicle's position can all support an appeal.
The bay was for loading and unloading only during the signed hours, and no loading activity was taking place.
Common grounds for appeal: If you were genuinely loading, evidence such as delivery notes, invoices or witness details helps. There is usually an observation period for larger vehicles.
You parked alongside a lowered kerb used by pedestrians, wheelchairs or prams to cross the road.
Common grounds for appeal: These are hard to overturn. Grounds exist if the kerb was not actually dropped, was a driveway crossing with the owner's consent, or signage was absent where required.
You overstayed the maximum stay in a limited-waiting bay or a free time-limited car park space.
Common grounds for appeal: Evidence of when you actually arrived and left matters — photos, receipts or a timestamped parking record. Check the sign stated the maximum stay clearly.
The area used parking discs to time-limit free parking, and no disc (or an incorrectly set one) was shown.
Common grounds for appeal: If you displayed a disc that was valid, say so with evidence. If discs were not available locally or signage did not explain the scheme, that can also be challenged.
The bay was reserved for Blue Badge holders and no valid badge was displayed, or it was displayed incorrectly.
Common grounds for appeal: If you hold a valid Blue Badge, provide a copy — many councils cancel where a genuine badge was simply not displayed properly. Badge and clock must both be visible where required.
The space was reserved for licensed taxis, usually marked with 'TAXIS' bay markings and a sign.
Common grounds for appeal: Unclear or worn markings can be grounds. Otherwise these are difficult to overturn.
You stopped on the zig-zag markings of a School Keep Clear during the restricted times.
Common grounds for appeal: Check the restriction hours on the sign — outside those times, stopping is permitted. Photograph the sign if times were missing or unclear.
In London, and other areas with a specific ban, parking any wheel on the pavement is prohibited unless signs permit it.
Common grounds for appeal: If signs or bay markings indicated pavement parking was allowed, photograph them. Elsewhere in England, a national pavement ban does not yet apply unless locally signed.
You stopped on the controlled zig-zag area approaching or after a zebra, pelican or puffin crossing.
Common grounds for appeal: These are taken seriously. Grounds exist only in narrow cases, such as being forced to stop by traffic beyond your control — dashcam footage can help.
Issued in council-run car parks, where the rules are set by the car park's own order.
In a council car park, the space was designated for loading and you parked without loading.
Common grounds for appeal: Evidence of loading activity, or unclear signage within the car park, can support an appeal.
No pay-and-display ticket was bought and no pay-by-phone or app session was started in a paid car park.
Common grounds for appeal: If you paid by app or phone, provide the session receipt. A broken machine with no alternative payment method clearly offered is also a recognised ground.
You overstayed the maximum stay in an off-street (car park) space.
Common grounds for appeal: Timestamped evidence of arrival and departure — receipts, photos or a parking log — is the strongest defence.
You parked somewhere in the car park that was not a marked bay, such as a hatched area or access route.
Common grounds for appeal: If markings were faded or the area was not clearly signed as restricted, photograph it.
Your paid parking session in a council car park had expired.
Common grounds for appeal: A payment record showing you were within time, or evidence of a machine fault, is the usual ground.
The car park bay required a permit and none was displayed.
Common grounds for appeal: Provide the permit or digital permit record if you held one.
Your vehicle crossed the bay lines in a council car park.
Common grounds for appeal: Photograph the bay. Worn lines or obstructing vehicles are common grounds.
A Blue Badge bay in a car park was used without a valid badge displayed.
Common grounds for appeal: As with Code 40, a genuine badge that was not displayed correctly is often accepted with a copy of the badge.
Whatever the code, strong evidence wins appeals. Park Pal Pro builds a timestamped evidence pack from the moment you park.
This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Contravention codes and their wording vary between councils and change over time — always check the specific wording on your notice and the issuing authority's current rules. Park Pal Pro does not accept liability for any PCN, parking charge, fine or appeal outcome.
