Are school keep clear markings always enforceable?

No. Under the Traffic Signs Regulations 2016, the markings are advisory unless they are used with an upright sign prohibiting stopping. With the sign, stopping is prohibited at the times shown.

Can I stop on the zig-zags to drop off a child?

Not while the upright sign's restriction applies. The Highway Code says you must not stop to set down or pick up passengers there when the upright signs show a prohibition.

Does a code 48 apply during school holidays?

It depends on the sign. If it shows days and times without saying "term time", the restriction usually applies on those days throughout the year.

Can a code 48 PCN come by post?

Yes. Councils can use approved cameras to enforce school entrance markings with an upright sign, and send the PCN by post. The discount period is then 21 days.

PCN code 48: stopped in a restricted area outside a school

Council parking PCN · England · Code 48 · Higher level · Last checked 23 October 2026

Code 48 is issued for stopping on the yellow "SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR" zig-zags outside a school (and similar markings outside some hospitals and fire, police or ambulance stations). The markings only create an enforceable ban when there is an upright sign with them. That single fact settles many of these tickets.

What code 48 means

48: Stopped in a restricted area outside a school when prohibited

Standard wording as published in council code lists: Knowsley Council and Wandsworth Council (the DfT list reads "outside a school, a hospital or a fire, police or ambulance station when prohibited"). Some councils use slightly different wording or add a letter suffix to the code.

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Schedule 7 Part 6, set out two different meanings for these markings:

Without an upright "no stopping" sign, the marking only indicates where vehicles should not stop. That is advisory.
With an upright sign, a driver must not stop on the marking: at any time if the sign shows no hours, or during the hours shown.

The Highway Code (rule 238) says the same: you must not wait, park, or stop to set down or pick up passengers on school entrance markings when upright signs indicate a prohibition of stopping. Councils can enforce these markings with cameras where the upright sign is present (SI 2022/71 reg 11).

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.

The same zig-zag marking is used outside some hospitals and fire, police or ambulance stations. There the word SCHOOL may be left out, so the marking reads KEEP CLEAR, but the same rule about the upright sign applies.

Situations where code 48 is issued

A driver stopped briefly to drop off or collect a child at the school gate.
A driver pulled onto the markings to let another vehicle pass on a narrow street.
A vehicle stopped during the sign's hours on a day the school was closed.
A delivery driver stopped outside a house next to the school entrance.

The exceptions

The 2016 Regulations allow stopping for emergency services and some public bodies; when directed by a police officer or traffic warden; when prevented from moving by circumstances beyond the driver's control, or to avoid injury or damage; marked Royal Mail vehicles collecting post; and vehicles used for building, road or utility works that cannot be done without stopping there. Unlike bus stop clearways, there is no taxi exception, and there is no exception for loading or for dropping off passengers.

Grounds and evidence that fit code 48

The contravention did not occur: there was no upright sign, the time was outside the hours on the sign, the vehicle was not on the marking, or an exception applied.
Evidence: dated photos of the markings and of the upright sign, including its hours, taken from the driver's approach; the camera footage or stills (free on request); dashcam footage.

Common pitfalls

A sign that shows hours such as "Mon to Fri 8.15 to 9.15 am and 2.45 to 3.45 pm" usually applies on those days whether or not it is a school day, unless the sign says "term time" or similar. Read the sign's exact wording. If the sign is missing, damaged or turned away from the road, photograph it at once, because councils repair signs.

Deadlines for this PCN

This code can arrive in two ways, and the deadlines differ. Where cameras are allowed for this restriction (SI 2022/71 reg 11), the council can send the PCN by post, normally within 28 days of the contravention. Post is treated as served on the second working day after posting (reg 3).

Stage	PCN on the windscreen	PCN by post from a camera
Discounted payment	14 days from service	21 days from service
Challenge	Informal challenge first; formal representations within 28 days of the Notice to Owner	No informal stage: formal representations within 28 days of the PCN
Camera evidence	Ask for the officer's photos	You can ask to view the recording, or for still images, free of charge (SI 2022/576 reg 3)
Council's decision	56 days from receiving representations, or treated as accepted (reg 6)
Tribunal appeal	28 days from service of the Notice of Rejection (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 48

Are school keep clear markings always enforceable?: No. Under the Traffic Signs Regulations 2016, the markings are advisory unless they are used with an upright sign prohibiting stopping. With the sign, stopping is prohibited at the times shown.
Can I stop on the zig-zags to drop off a child?: Not while the upright sign's restriction applies. The Highway Code says you must not stop to set down or pick up passengers there when the upright signs show a prohibition.
Does a code 48 apply during school holidays?: It depends on the sign. If it shows days and times without saying "term time", the restriction usually applies on those days throughout the year.
Can a code 48 PCN come by post?: Yes. Councils can use approved cameras to enforce school entrance markings with an upright sign, and send the PCN by post. The discount period is then 21 days.

Last checked 23 October 2026. Sources: Knowsley Council, Standard PCN codes: on-street; Wandsworth Council, PCN contravention codes (London levels); DfT statutory guidance, Annex B: bus lane and moving traffic codes; Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Schedule 7; The Highway Code, rules 238 to 252 (waiting and parking); SI 2022/71 reg 11 (where cameras may be used for parking); SI 2022/576 reg 3 (right to see camera evidence); 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.