Code 23: Wrong vehicle class for the place
23Parked in a parking place or area not designated for that class of vehicle
Active
Restricted vehicle
Higher
Code 91
Restricted vehicle
Higher
Active
Contravention code 91: Wrong vehicle class in off-street parking
Parked in a car park or area not designated for that class of vehicle
Code facts
Plain-English explanation
The authority is alleging: parked in a car park or area not designated for that class of vehicle. 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
Received a PCN for this contravention?
Appeality can help you organise the notice, evidence and relevant circumstances before you decide how to respond.
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
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
Sources
- London Councils: Penalty Charge Notices: Contravention Code List - Off-street table, code 91
- PATROL: Contravention Codes - England and Wales tab
- Welsh Government: Guidance to local authorities on the civil enforcement of road traffic contraventions: parking, bus lane and moving traffic enforcement - Civil enforcement guidance details
- UK Parliament: Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 - Traffic regulation orders and traffic signs
- UK Parliament: The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 - Whole instrument
- UK Parliament: London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003 - Traffic contraventions and penalty charges
- UK Parliament: Traffic Management Act 2004 - Part 6
- UK Parliament: The Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices, Charging Guidelines and General Provisions) (England) Regulations 2022 - Whole instrument
- UK Parliament: The Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Representations and Appeals) (England) Regulations 2022 - Whole instrument