PCN code 23: parked in a place not designated for that class of vehicle
Code 23 is for bays reserved for a particular class of vehicle rather than a particular permit holder: motorcycle bays, car club bays, electric vehicle bays, bus or coach bays, and bays for goods vehicles. The bay marking and sign define the class, and that wording is what you check.
What code 23 means
23: Parked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicle
Standard wording as published in council code lists: Knowsley Council and Wandsworth Council. Some councils use slightly different wording or add a letter suffix to the code.
Redcar and Cleveland's code list explains that only certain classes of vehicle may park in certain places, giving examples such as motorcycle-only bays and goods vehicle bays. The Traffic Signs Regulations allow bay legends such as SOLO MOTORCYCLES, CAR CLUB, ELECTRIC VEHICLES, BUSES and LARGE OR SLOW VEHICLES.
In council car parks the equivalent code is 91.
How much it costs
| Where | Penalty | If paid within the discount period |
|---|---|---|
| England outside London (council's band 1 or band 2) | £60 or £70 | £30 or £35 |
| London (band A or band B, from 7 April 2025) | £160 or £140 | £80 or £70 |
This is a higher level code. Outside London the bands are set by Schedule 3 to SI 2022/71; London levels are set for all boroughs together. If a charge certificate is issued, the penalty goes up by 50%. The amount printed on your PCN is the one that applies to you: if it does not match the published level for your area, that is itself a ground for representations.
Situations where code 23 is issued
- A car parked in a motorcycle bay, often where the bay looks like an ordinary end-of-row space.
- A private car parked in a car club bay.
- A petrol or diesel car in an electric vehicle bay, or an electric car that was not charging where the sign requires charging.
- A car in a bay marked for goods vehicles loading, or for coaches.
Electric vehicle bays
EV bay signs differ. Some say "electric vehicles only"; others say "electric vehicles only while charging", sometimes with a maximum stay. If you drive an electric car, read the exact wording: under a "while charging" sign, an electric car that is plugged in but has finished charging, or is not plugged in at all, may still be outside the permitted class or use. If the charger was faulty, photograph its screen and report the fault to the operator.
Car club and other operator bays
Car club bays are usually reserved by the traffic order for vehicles of a car club approved by the council, sometimes a named operator. A private car, or a car from a different club, may be outside the permitted class. Ask the council for the part of the traffic order that defines the bay; the definition, not the colour of the paint, decides who may park.
Grounds and evidence that fit code 23
- The contravention did not occur: the vehicle was within the class shown on the sign, or the bay was not marked or signed for a restricted class.
- The traffic order is invalid, in the rare case where the bay's order does not create the class restriction the sign shows.
- Evidence: photos of the bay legend and upright sign; the V5C showing the vehicle type or fuel; a charging session record from the operator's app; the officer's photos.
Common pitfalls
Worn bay legends are common in motorcycle bays. If the word on the road has faded, photograph it and the upright sign. If there is an upright sign that clearly states the class, a faded road legend alone may not be enough. Look at the whole picture a driver would have seen when parking.
Deadlines for this PCN
This code is usually issued by a civil enforcement officer, with the PCN fixed to the vehicle or handed to the driver. The clock runs from the dates on your notices, and post is treated as served on the second working day after posting (SI 2022/71 reg 3).
| Stage | Time limit |
|---|---|
| Discounted payment | 14 days, beginning with the day the PCN was served |
| Informal challenge | Any time before a Notice to Owner; challenging inside the 14 days keeps the discount question open, and councils should consider re-offering it if they reject an early challenge |
| Notice to Owner | Can be sent once 28 days pass without payment, and normally within 6 months (reg 20) |
| Formal representations | 28 days, beginning with the day the Notice to Owner is served |
| Council's decision | 56 days from receiving your representations, or they are treated as accepted (SI 2022/576 reg 6) |
| Appeal to the tribunal | 28 days, beginning with the day the Notice of Rejection is served (reg 7) |
The dates printed on your own notices set your deadlines; where the count is in doubt, work to the earlier date. Our stage-by-stage guide to council PCNs explains each stage, and the one-page PCN deadlines checklist has space to write your own dates.
Questions people ask about code 23
- Can I park in an electric vehicle bay with a hybrid?
- It depends on the sign and the council's traffic order. Some bays require the vehicle to be charging. Read the exact wording and check the council's definition.
- I parked in a motorcycle bay by mistake. Is there an exemption?
- There is no exemption for a mistake. If the bay legend was worn and there was no upright sign, photograph it: unclear marking can support the ground that the contravention did not occur.
- What is the difference between code 23 and code 16?
- Code 16 is about permits: who may park. Code 23 is about the class of vehicle: what may park.
- Is code 23 higher or lower level?
- Higher level. Outside London that is £60 or £70 depending on the council's band, halved if paid within the discount period.
Related codes: Code 16: permit space, no permit · Code 24: not within bay markings · Code 40: disabled bay · All contravention codes
Last checked 23 October 2026. Sources: Knowsley Council, Standard PCN codes: on-street; Redcar and Cleveland Council, PCN contravention codes and charges; Wandsworth Council, PCN contravention codes (London levels); Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Schedule 7; SI 2022/71 Schedule 3 (penalty bands outside London); Wandsworth Council, London-wide penalty charge changes from 7 April 2025; SI 2022/71 (General Provisions Regulations 2022); SI 2022/576 reg 5 (grounds for representations); Traffic Penalty Tribunal; London Tribunals. General information about council enforcement in England, not legal advice about your ticket. Wales has its own regulations; Scotland and Northern Ireland have different systems.