Higher and lower level contraventions (Differential parking) to be introduced as part of new parking regulations brought in by Part 6 of the Traffic Management (TMA) Act 2004 titled "Civil enforcement of traffic contraventions"

Click here to see the list with contravention codes.

Below is a list of parking contraventions split into the two higher and lower levels.

Higher level 

1. Parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours
2. Parked or loading/unloading in a restricted street where waiting and loading/unloading restrictions are in force
3. Parked in a residents' or shared use parking place without clearly displaying either a permit or voucher or pay and display ticket issued for that place
4. Parked in an electric vehicles charging place during restricted hours without charging
5. Parked in a permit space without displaying a valid permit
6. Using a vehicle in a parking place in connection with the sale or offering or exposing for sale of goods when prohibited
7. Parked in a loading gap marked by a yellow line
8. Parked in a residents parking space without clearly displaying a valid residents parking permit
9. Parked in a suspended bay/space or part of bay/space
10. Parked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicle
11. Parked in a loading place during restricted hours without loading
12. Vehicle parked more than 50 cm from the edge of the carriageway and not within a designated parking place
13. Parked adjacent to a dropped footway
14. Parked in a designated disabled persons parking place without clearly displaying a valid disabled persons badge
15. Parked in a parking place designated for diplomatic vehicles
16. Parked in a parking place designated for police vehicles
17. Parked on a taxi rank
18. Stopped on a pedestrian crossing and/or crossing area marked by zigzags
19. Parked in a loading area during restricted hours without reasonable excuse
20. Using a vehicle in a parking place in connection with the sale or offering or exposing for sale of goods when prohibited
21. Parked in a restricted area in a car park
22. Parked in a permit bay without clearly displaying a valid permit
23. Parked in a disabled persons parking space without clearly displaying a valid disabled persons badge
24. Vehicle parked exceeds maximum weight and/or height and/or length permitted in the area
25. Parked in a car park or area not designated for that class of vehicle
26. Parked causing an obstruction

Lower level contraventions

1. Parked without clearly displaying a valid pay & display ticket
2. Parked after the expiry of paid for time
3. Parked in a meter bay when penalty time is indicated
4. Parked with payment made to extend the stay beyond initial time
5. Parked at an out-of-order meter during controlled hours
6. Parked displaying multiple pay & display tickets where prohibited
7. Parked with engine running where prohibited
8. Parked without clearly displaying two valid pay and display tickets when required
9. Parked without payment of the parking charge
10. Parked in a residents' or shared use parking place displaying an invalid permit, an invalid voucher or an invalid pay & display ticket
11. Re-parked in the same parking place within one hour of leaving
12. Not parked correctly within the markings of the bay or space
13. Parked for longer than permitted
14. Parked in a disc parking place without clearly displaying a valid disc
15. Parked in a disc parking place for longer than permitted
16. Parked without payment of the parking charge
17. Parked for longer than the maximum period permitted
18. Parked in a car park without clearly displaying a valid pay & display ticket
19. Parked with additional payment made to extend the stay beyond time first purchased
20. Parked beyond the bay markings
21. Re-parked within one hour of leaving a bay or space in a car park
22. Parked in car park when closed
23. Parked in a pay & display car park without clearly displaying two valid pay and display tickets when required
24. Parked in a parking place for a purpose other than the designated purpose for the parking place

Independent Adjudicator Appeals

Here are a few notes and comments from Caroline Sheppard, the chief adjudicator of the new Traffic Penalty Tribunal

1. She said that motorists would be able to have their appeals heard by telephone instead of attending a hearing, in a move designed to encourage more drivers to challenge their tickets.
2. Drivers receiving tickets by post will also not be expected to have kept evidence that they were legally parked, such as pay and display tickets or a shop receipt to show they were loading.

   When balancing up the weight of evidence, the adjudicator will give due account to the fact that the motorist only heard of the penalty some time after the incident and therefore may not have had the opportunity to preserve the evidence. “Drivers’ own explanation of what happened will carry a lot of weight.”

3. "Trials of telephone appeals had shown they were very popular with drivers, who could fit them in during lunch breaks or take part from home"

   The driver dials in to a conference call that includes the adjudicator, a council parking official and any witnesses for the driver.

   The tribunal will accept photographs and videos taken by drivers, who can also elect for appeals to be held in their home town if they want to appear in person. Ms Sheppard said: “If you get a ticket in Brighton but live in London, we can arrange for the hearing to take place in London.” An online appeals service will be launched later this year. Adjudicators gain extra powers from today to allow an appeal if the council has not followed the correct procedure and can also refer a case back to the council if it “has not taken proper account of compelling reasons”.

For more information about appealig against a PCN see Appeal against a PCN (the new parking ticket) posts.

• When purchasing a ticket on street or in a car park always make sure your ‘buy’ enough time to get the shopping done or have that meeting and get back to the car.
• Make sure you display your parking ticket the correct side up.
• Don’t park on double yellow lines unless you are loading or unloading. Civil Enforcement Officers will observe vehicles to ensure that loading or unloading is evident.
• Do not park on single yellow lines during restricted hours unless you are loading or unloading. There should be a sign nearby which tells you when the restriction is in force.
• Park wholly within a marked bay. Taking up more than one bay is frustrating for other drivers trying to find a space and will result in receiving a penalty charge.
• Keep some loose change in your car to purchase a pay and display ticket. Don’t risk going for change and leaving your car in a pay and display area without displaying a valid ticket.
• Do not park in bays designated for other users such as bus stops, taxi ranks, disabled bays, etc.
• If you’re a blue badge holder, please ensure that your badge is displayed photograph down so that the expiry date can easily be seen, and set the clock at your arrival time. Disabled drivers should also not park in areas designated for other users.