PCN code 30: meaning and how to appeal
Lower levelOn-street parking
Official description: “Parked for longer than permitted”
What it means
You parked in a free or limited-waiting bay (for example 'max stay 1 hour') and stayed longer than the time allowed.
How much is a code 30 PCN?
Code 30 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 |
On TfL red routes (suffix n) the penalty is £160, or £80 if paid within 14 days.
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 30 PCN
- You were within the 10-minute grace period that councils must allow in parking places.
- The officer's observation does not prove how long you had been there (ask for the timed photos).
- The maximum stay was not shown clearly on the signs.
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
- Receipts or other proof of arrival time.
- Ask the council for the officer's photos and notes (or the camera footage) and check they match the PCN.
- Clear, dated photos of the vehicle position, road markings and every nearby sign or time plate (take them as soon as possible).
Code 30 suffixes
The letter after the code shows the type of bay, vehicle or enforcement. Suffixes that apply to code 30:
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 30A | permit-holder-only EV charging bay |
| 30C | buses only |
| 30F | free parking bay |
| 30G | motorcycle bay |
| 30L | loading place |
| 30M | parking meter |
| 30N | red route |
| 30O | blue badge holder |
| 30P | pay & display |
| 30S | shared use bay |
| 30U | electronic (phone/app) payment |
| 30Y | electric solo motorcycle bay |
| 301 | electric vehicles bay |
| 302 | goods vehicle loading bay |
| 307 | taxis only |
| 308 | zero emission capable taxis only |
| 309 | electric vehicle car club bay |
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 30 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
Returned too soon ('no return')Code 05
Overstayed paid parkingCode 80
Council car park: stayed too long
Frequently asked questions
What does PCN code 30 mean?
Code 30 is “Parked for longer than permitted”. In plain English: You parked in a free or limited-waiting bay (for example 'max stay 1 hour') and stayed longer than the time allowed.
How much is a code 30 PCN?
Code 30 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 30 PCN?
Yes. Common grounds include: You were within the 10-minute grace period that councils must allow in parking places. The officer's observation does not prove how long you had been there (ask for the timed photos). The maximum stay was not shown clearly on the signs.
How long do I have to challenge a code 30 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)