PCN code 61: meaning and how to appeal

Higher levelOn-street parking

Official description: “A heavy commercial vehicle wholly or partly parked on a footway, verge or land between two carriageways”

What it means

A heavy commercial vehicle (over 7.5 tonnes) was parked on a footway, verge or central reservation.

Footway suffixes: 1 = one wheel on footway, 2 = partly on footway, 4 = all wheels on footway, c = on a vehicle crossover, g = on a grass verge.

How much is a code 61 PCN?

Code 61 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

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 61 PCN

An exemption in section 19 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 applied: parked with permission from a police officer in uniform; parked to save life, put out a fire or meet a similar emergency; or loading/unloading that could not satisfactorily be done otherwise, with the vehicle never left unattended.
The vehicle was not a heavy commercial vehicle.
The vehicle was not on the footway or verge.

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

Clear, dated photos of the vehicle position, road markings and every nearby sign or time plate (take them as soon as possible).
Delivery paperwork with times; vehicle weight details (V5C).

Code 61 suffixes

The letter after the code shows the type of bay, vehicle or enforcement. Suffixes that apply to code 61:

Suffix	Meaning
611	one wheel on footway
612	partly on footway
614	all wheels on footway
61C	on vehicle crossover
61G	on grass verge

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 61 appeal letter for free. Pick your grounds, add your facts, then copy, download or print.

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Hire or lease company? See how to transfer liability to the hirer.

Related codes

Code 62
Pavement (footway) parking

Frequently asked questions

What does PCN code 61 mean?

Code 61 is “A heavy commercial vehicle wholly or partly parked on a footway, verge or land between two carriageways”. In plain English: A heavy commercial vehicle (over 7.5 tonnes) was parked on a footway, verge or central reservation.

How much is a code 61 PCN?

Code 61 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 61 PCN?

Yes. Common grounds include: An exemption in section 19 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 applied: parked with permission from a police officer in uniform; parked to save life, put out a fire or meet a similar emergency; or loading/unloading that could not satisfactorily be done otherwise, with the vehicle never left unattended. The vehicle was not a heavy commercial vehicle. The vehicle was not on the footway or verge.

How long do I have to challenge a code 61 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

Not legal advice. This site gives general information about council PCNs in England, based on official sources (last reviewed 21 October 2026). Rules and amounts change and every case is different. Always check the notice you received, your council's website and the official sources, and consider independent advice for complex cases. PCN Codes is not connected to any council, TfL, London Tribunals or the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.