Code 33 Restricted vehicle Not applicable Active

Contravention code 33: Restricted route for vehicle types

Using a route restricted to certain vehicles

Code facts

Jurisdiction
London, England outside London, Wales
Location
Moving traffic
Enforcement
Camera, Postal
Last reviewed
2026-08-03

Plain-English explanation

The authority is alleging: using a route restricted to certain vehicles. Check the PCN wording, the location, the signs or markings, and the authority evidence before deciding what to do.

This guide provides general information about civil traffic contraventions. It is not a substitute for advice based on the facts and documents in an individual case.

Suffix decoder

Verified suffixes for this code: J: Camera enforcementB: Buses onlyC: Buses and cycles onlyE: Buses, cycles and taxis onlyF: Buses and taxis onlyG: Local buses onlyH: Local buses and cycles onlyI: Local buses, cycles and taxis onlyK: Local buses and taxis onlyQ: Tramcars and local buses onlyR: Tramcars onlyS: Tramcars and buses onlyY: Pedal cycles onlyZ: Pedal cycles and pedestrians only

Received a PCN for this contravention?

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What the issuing authority is alleging

  • The vehicle, location, date and time alleged on the PCN
  • That the relevant restriction was in force at that location
  • That the evidence supports the contravention described by the code
  • That the CCTV or approved-device record shows the alleged movement or stopping event

Evidence to review

  • All pages of the PCN and any later notice
  • Date, time, location and vehicle-registration details
  • Council photographs or video stills
  • Relevant signs, road markings and bay or zone layout
  • Traffic signs identifying the vehicle restriction
  • Vehicle class or permitted-use evidence
  • Route or location photos

Points requiring investigation

  • Check whether the PCN description matches the code and any suffix actually printed on the notice.
  • Review whether the signs, lines or scheme terms at the location support the alleged restriction.
  • Check whether the authority evidence covers the full period or manoeuvre that matters for this code.

Common misunderstandings

  • A suffix is contextual and does not always mean the same thing for every base code.
  • A short stop can still be alleged if the restriction prohibits stopping rather than parking.
  • A belief that the restriction was unfair is different from evidence that the alleged contravention did not occur.

Related codes

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