The code is usually printed near the top of your notice, next to the description of the contravention. Below are the most common national codes in plain English, with the appeal angle for each — the bit councils don’t tell you.
01
Parked on a yellow line during restricted hours.
Possible appeal angle: Were the signs/markings clear? Were you loading, or is a valid Blue Badge in play? See our council PCN guide.
02
Parked or loading where a loading ban is in force (kerb blips).
Possible appeal angle: You may have been actively loading/unloading; kerb markings are often faded or unclear.
05
Parked after your paid-for time had expired.
Possible appeal angle: Machine or app failure, or you had in fact paid — keep the receipt or bank record.
06
Parked without displaying a valid pay & display ticket.
Possible appeal angle: Machine out of order, ticket displaced after being displayed, or a keying error when you paid.
12
Parked in a residents’ or shared-use bay without a valid permit.
Possible appeal angle: You held a valid permit, or it had slipped from view through no fault of your own.
16
Parked in a permit space without a valid permit.
Possible appeal angle: A valid permit or authorisation covered the vehicle at the time.
21
Parked in a suspended bay or space.
Possible appeal angle: Suspension signs missing, inadequate or not in force at the stated time.
23
Parked in a bay for a different class of vehicle.
Possible appeal angle: Your vehicle was in fact permitted, or the signs didn’t make the restriction clear.
24
Not parked correctly within the bay markings.
Possible appeal angle: Faded or unclear markings; you were within the bay as marked on the ground.
25
Parked in a loading bay during restricted hours.
Possible appeal angle: You were actively loading or unloading, which is permitted at many loading places.
30
Parked for longer than permitted.
Possible appeal angle: Machine fault, the mandatory grace period, or evidence your arrival/exit times were misrecorded.
40
Parked in a disabled bay without a valid Blue Badge displayed.
Possible appeal angle: A valid badge WAS displayed, or had slipped — attach a copy of the badge with your appeal.
46
Stopped where prohibited (red route or clearway).
Possible appeal angle: You were forced to stop (obstruction/emergency), it was outside operational hours, or the signs were unclear.
47
Stopped on a restricted bus stop or stand.
Possible appeal angle: Forced to stop, outside the signed hours, or unclear markings — ask for the camera footage.
99
Stopped on or near a pedestrian crossing / zig-zag markings.
Possible appeal angle: Misread or wrong vehicle, or you were forced to stop — request the full footage.
Your notice is definitive. These are the common national codes; the exact code and wording on your own notice always take precedence, and some authorities use extra codes or suffixes. The full official lists are published by PATROL (outside London) and by London Councils, and on your council’s own website.