General guidance, not legal advice
Checked against the official sources linked on this page on 23 October 2026. Rules change, so check the dates on your own notice.
That two-digit number on a council PCN says exactly what they think you did. Here’s what the common ones mean, in plain English.
These are 27 common codes from the DfT’s list for England (Annex B of its statutory guidance). Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland use similar codes, but we haven’t checked their lists, so this page covers England only.
Private parking charges don’t use these codes.
Source: DfT statutory guidance: Civil enforcement of parking contraventions (England)
In full: Parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours
In full: Parked or loading/unloading where waiting and loading restrictions are in force
In full: Residents' or shared-use place without a valid permit, ticket or payment
In full: Electric vehicle charging place without charging
In full: Permit space or zone without a valid permit
In full: Residents'/shared-use place with an invalid permit or ticket, or after paid-for time expired
In full: Part of a parking place marked by a yellow line
In full: Parked wholly or partly in a suspended bay or space
In full: Parking place not designated for that class of vehicle
In full: Loading place during restricted hours without loading
In full: Special enforcement area adjacent to a dropped footway
In full: Disabled person’s parking place without a valid badge displayed
In full: Stopped on a taxi rank
In full: Stopped where prohibited (red route or clearway)
In full: Stopped on a restricted bus stop or stand
In full: Stopped in a restricted area outside a school, hospital or emergency station
In full: Parked wholly or partly on a cycle track or lane
In full: One or more wheels on a footpath or any part of a road other than a carriageway
In full: Off-street loading area during restricted hours without loading
In full: Off-street suspended bay or space
In full: Restricted area in an off-street car park or housing estate
In full: Off-street without a valid permit where required
In full: Off-street disabled person’s place without a valid badge displayed
In full: Vehicle exceeds maximum weight, height or length permitted
In full: Car park or area not designated for that class of vehicle
In full: Parked causing an obstruction
In full: Stopped on a pedestrian crossing or zig-zags
Code descriptions, camera rules, loading and grace periods: DfT statutory guidance. Blue Badge rules: DfT Blue Badge guidance. Source: DfT statutory guidance: Civil enforcement of parking contraventions (England); DfT: The Blue Badge scheme — rights and responsibilities in England
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General guidance about UK parking rules, not legal advice about your case. We only state rules we’ve checked against the official sources linked above. If your notice says something different, go by the notice and the source, and get advice if you’re unsure (Citizens Advice can help).