PCN code 11: meaning and how to appeal
Lower levelOn-street parking
Official description: “Parked without payment of the parking charge”
What it means
Used where parking is paid by phone, app or another cashless method and no payment was found for your vehicle in that location at that time.
How much is a code 11 PCN?
Code 11 is a lower-level contravention, so the amount depends on where you were:
| Area | Penalty | Paid early (50%) | After charge certificate (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Band A | £110 | £55 | £165 |
| London Band B | £90 | £45 | £135 |
| Outside London (most councils, band 2) | £50 | £25 | £75 |
| Outside London (band 1 areas) | £40 | £20 | £60 |
Sources: London Councils (London amounts from 7 April 2025) and SI 2022/71 Schedule 3 (outside London). Full fines guide.
Deadlines
- PCN on the windscreen or handed to you: 50% discount if paid within 14 days. If you challenge within 14 days and are refused, councils are recommended to re-offer the discount. Full amount due within 28 days, after which a Notice to Owner can be sent.
- PCN posted because you drove away or the officer was prevented from issuing it: 50% discount within 14 days, and 28 days to pay or make formal representations.
- Notice to Owner: 28 days to pay or make formal representations. The council must decide within 56 days or the representations are deemed accepted.
- Notice of Rejection: 28 days to appeal to the tribunal (free).
- Charge certificate: the penalty rises by 50%. Order for recovery: 21 days to pay or file a witness statement.
Common grounds to appeal a code 11 PCN
- You did pay - send the app confirmation, location code and bank statement.
- You paid but entered the wrong location code or a typo in the number plate (councils often cancel on first occasion; ask).
- The app, phone line or signal was not working and there was no other way to pay.
- The signs did not clearly show the location code or how to pay.
Also check the PCN itself: are the date, time, location, vehicle and code correct, and was it served on time? Errors can support the statutory grounds, such as procedural impropriety or 'the contravention did not occur'.
Evidence to gather
- App confirmation emails / screenshots and bank statement.
- Photo of the location code sign.
- Evidence of an outage (status page, screenshots).
Code 11 suffixes
The letter after the code shows the type of bay, vehicle or enforcement. Suffixes that apply to code 11:
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 11G | motorcycle bay |
| 11U | electronic (phone/app) payment |
How to appeal
- Informal challenge if the PCN was put on your vehicle (ideally within 14 days).
- Formal representations within 28 days of the Notice to Owner or postal PCN.
- If rejected, appeal to the tribunal within 28 days.
Write your code 11 appeal letter for free. Pick your grounds, add your facts, then copy, download or print.
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Related codes
Overstayed paid parkingCode 06
No pay & display ticket shownCode 12
Residents' / shared bay without permit or payment
Frequently asked questions
What does PCN code 11 mean?
Code 11 is “Parked without payment of the parking charge”. In plain English: Used where parking is paid by phone, app or another cashless method and no payment was found for your vehicle in that location at that time.
How much is a code 11 PCN?
Code 11 is lower level: £110 in London Band A, £90 in Band B, and usually £50 outside London, halved if paid early.
Can I appeal a code 11 PCN?
Yes. Common grounds include: You did pay - send the app confirmation, location code and bank statement. You paid but entered the wrong location code or a typo in the number plate (councils often cancel on first occasion; ask). The app, phone line or signal was not working and there was no other way to pay.
How long do I have to challenge a code 11 PCN?
Challenge within 14 days to protect the discount where possible. Formal representations must be made within 28 days of the Notice to Owner or postal PCN, and a tribunal appeal within 28 days of a Notice of Rejection.
Official sources
- London Councils: Penalty Charge Notices contravention code list (v7.0)
- PATROL / Traffic Penalty Tribunal: Contravention codes (England and Wales)
- London Councils: Parking and traffic charges in London
- SI 2022/71 Schedule 3: penalty charge bands outside Greater London
- SI 2022/576 regulation 5: grounds for representations
- DfT statutory guidance: civil enforcement of parking contraventions (updated 20 Oct 2022)