Parking offences
Contravention code 04:
Parked in a meter bay when penalty time is indicated. You must move your car before the time purchased has expired
General points:
We set out below some specific points on this contravention. We suggest that you firstly check the section received a parking ticket for general help.
This section will show general grounds upon which you may be able to have a parking ticket (penalty charge notice) cancelled including the statutory grounds and also other information such as the guidance issued to all local authorities in March 2008 by the government. Please then return to this page for specific help with the rules and regulations for this contravention and how to have your parking ticket cancelled.
Possible grounds of appeal for this contravention
First please check Statutory grounds for appeal.
Specific points relating to this contravention
1. It is important to note that this contravention code only applies to meter bays and not pay and display bays. If you were parked in a pay and display bay and have been issued with a ticket showing this contravention code then you should appeal and visa versa.
2. Was the ticket issued before the expiry time shown on the meter, if so the practice of issuing Penalty charge notices before the time has expired does happen. A photograph of the meter is your proof.
3. The Traffic Sign’s and general directs regulations 2002 states that the designated width of a parking bay should be 1.8 metres and the maximum should be 2.7 metres. The length should be at least 4.5 and to a max of 6.6 metres.
4. Does the meter display the same information as the PCN? And are the instructions clearly visible and understandable on the meter? If the controlled hours are not on any signs were you able to see the details on the meter. Was it dark and a streetlight not working?. The local authority has an obligation to make sure that the hours of operation and terms and conditions are clearly visible. Check that the meter number corresponds with that of the PCN. Check that the charge fee is the same as sometimes meter plates are not updated with the new charges or indeed the new fines for non compliance.
5. If you believe the meter to be defective, ask the local authority for a copy of the maintenance record for that meter as any previously reported records of malfunction should be logged. Local authorities are required by law to carry out periodic inspections of their meters. In 2001 Some years ago The Sunday Times conducted a survey of around 100 meters in six cities across England. 20% were fast by more than 9 minutes an hour and seven meters accepted money but did not give any time credit.
Please see our section on parking adjudicators’ decisions which will have details of cases for this contravention.
Below: The required dimensions of an individually marked bay. Please note the permitted variants in the box below the diagram.





