PCN code 31 (31J): meaning and how to appeal
Moving trafficMoving traffic / bus laneCan be camera-enforced
Official description: “Entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited”
What it means
You entered a yellow box junction and had to stop inside it because your exit was not clear. You may enter and stop when turning right if you are prevented only by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. 'J' just means it was caught on camera, so 31J is the same contravention.
How much is a code 31 PCN?
Bus lane and moving traffic contraventions have a single penalty level.
| Area | Penalty | Paid early (50%) | After charge certificate (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London boroughs and TfL | £160 | £80 | £240 |
| Outside London (band 2) | £70 | £35 | £105 |
| Outside London (band 1 areas) | £60 | £30 | £90 |
Outside London, only councils that have been given moving traffic enforcement powers under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 can issue these PCNs, and most of them use £70.
Sources: London Councils (London amounts from 7 April 2025) and SI 2022/71 Schedule 3 (outside London). Full fines guide.
Deadlines
- London: the PCN comes by post. There's a 50% discount within 14 days, and you have 28 days to pay or make representations.
- Outside London: the PCN comes by post. There's a 50% discount within 21 days, and you have 28 days to pay or make representations. The council must decide within 56 days. For the first six months at a new camera site, a warning notice should be sent for a first contravention.
- 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 31 PCN
- You were turning right and were stopped only by oncoming traffic or other vehicles waiting to turn right.
- Your exit was clear when you entered and you were stopped by something you could not reasonably foresee (for example a vehicle cutting in, a pedestrian, an emergency vehicle).
- The stop was so brief it should be disregarded (adjudicators sometimes treat a momentary stop as de minimis).
- The box markings did not comply with the regulations (for example the box extends well beyond the junction or the markings are badly worn).
- Outside London: it was a new camera location in its first six months and this was your first contravention there, so a warning notice should have been issued (statutory guidance).
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
- Ask to view the camera footage or for still images - you are entitled to this for camera PCNs (in England outside London, regulation 3(3) of SI 2022/576).
- Dash-cam footage of the approach and the signs.
- Photos of the signs and road markings from the driver's view on approach.
Code 31 suffixes
The letter after the code shows the type of bay, vehicle or enforcement. Suffixes that apply to code 31:
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 31J | camera (CCTV) enforcement |
How to appeal
- 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 31 appeal letter for free. Pick your grounds, add your facts, then copy, download or print.
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Related codes
Banned turn (no left / right / U-turn)Code 52
Vehicle type prohibited (e.g. motor vehicles banned)
Frequently asked questions
What does PCN code 31 mean?
Code 31 is “Entering and stopping in a box junction when prohibited”. In plain English: You entered a yellow box junction and had to stop inside it because your exit was not clear. You may enter and stop when turning right if you are prevented only by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. 'J' just means it was caught on camera, so 31J is the same contravention.
How much is a code 31 PCN?
Moving traffic and bus lane PCNs are £160 in London (£80 if paid within 14 days) and usually £70 outside London (£35 if paid early).
Can I appeal a code 31 PCN?
Yes. Common grounds include: You were turning right and were stopped only by oncoming traffic or other vehicles waiting to turn right. Your exit was clear when you entered and you were stopped by something you could not reasonably foresee (for example a vehicle cutting in, a pedestrian, an emergency vehicle). The stop was so brief it should be disregarded (adjudicators sometimes treat a momentary stop as de minimis).
How long do I have to challenge a code 31 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: bus lane and moving traffic enforcement outside London (updated 21 Oct 2022)