PCN code 12: meaning and how to appeal
Higher levelOn-street parking
Official description: “Parked in a residents' or shared use parking place or zone without a valid virtual permit or clearly displaying a valid physical permit or voucher or pay and display ticket issued for that place where required, or without payment of the parking charge”
What it means
You parked in a residents' bay or a shared-use bay (residents and paying visitors) during controlled hours without a valid permit, voucher, ticket or cashless payment.
Permit suffixes on code 12: w = wrong zone, x = incorrect number plate, y = obscured/illegible permit.
How much is a code 12 PCN?
Code 12 is a higher-level contravention, so the amount depends on where you were:
| Area | Penalty | Paid early (50%) | After charge certificate (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Band A | £160 | £80 | £240 |
| London Band B | £140 | £70 | £210 |
| Outside London (most councils, band 2) | £70 | £35 | £105 |
| Outside London (band 1 areas) | £60 | £30 | £90 |
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 12 PCN
- You held a valid permit (including a virtual permit linked to the number plate) for that zone - send the permit details.
- You activated a visitor permit or paid by app for the correct zone and time.
- The bay was outside its controlled hours, or the hours were not clearly signed.
- You were loading or unloading where the order allows it.
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
- Permit or visitor-permit confirmation.
- App payment records.
- Clear, dated photos of the vehicle position, road markings and every nearby sign or time plate (take them as soon as possible).
Code 12 suffixes
The letter after the code shows the type of bay, vehicle or enforcement. Suffixes that apply to code 12:
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 12A | permit-holder-only EV charging bay |
| 12R | residents' bay |
| 12S | shared use bay |
| 12T | voucher/P&D ticket used in permit bay |
| 12U | electronic (phone/app) payment |
| 12W | wrong parking zone |
| 12Y | obscured / illegible permit |
| 124 | virtual permit |
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 12 appeal letter for free. Pick your grounds, add your facts, then copy, download or print.
Generate a letterHire or lease company? See how to transfer liability to the hirer.
Related codes
Permit bay without valid permitCode 19
Residents'/shared bay with invalid permit or expired timeCode 11
Didn't pay (cashless / phone parking)
Frequently asked questions
What does PCN code 12 mean?
Code 12 is “Parked in a residents' or shared use parking place or zone without a valid virtual permit or clearly displaying a valid physical permit or voucher or pay and display ticket issued for that place where required, or without payment of the parking charge”. In plain English: You parked in a residents' bay or a shared-use bay (residents and paying visitors) during controlled hours without a valid permit, voucher, ticket or cashless payment.
How much is a code 12 PCN?
Code 12 is higher level: £160 in London Band A, £140 in Band B, and usually £70 outside London, halved if paid early.
Can I appeal a code 12 PCN?
Yes. Common grounds include: You held a valid permit (including a virtual permit linked to the number plate) for that zone - send the permit details. You activated a visitor permit or paid by app for the correct zone and time. The bay was outside its controlled hours, or the hours were not clearly signed.
How long do I have to challenge a code 12 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)