Yellow box junction ticket? Know your fight

What this ticket is

A yellow box junction penalty is a civil PCN, usually camera-enforced, for entering the box when your exit was not clear — except when turning right and stopped only by oncoming traffic.

The law

The rule comes from the Highway Code (Rule 174) and the box markings made under TSRGD 2016. In London this is enforced under the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003; elsewhere in England under the Traffic Management Act 2004 (Part 6) since 2022 — both give you a right to appeal to an independent tribunal. Markings should comply with the regulations — the case Herron v Sunderland is associated with a “substantial compliance” test, so serious or unclear non-compliance may support a challenge, while minor defects may still be treated as compliant.

Key facts

• •You may enter the box if turning right and only oncoming traffic (or other right-turners) stop you.
• •The offence is entering when your exit is not clear — not simply stopping in the box.
• •Markings that are seriously non-compliant or unclear may support a challenge; minor defects may still count as substantial compliance.
• •Camera footage must actually show the contravention.

Strongest ways to fight it

Common appeal angles to check — every ticket is different. Beat It checks all of these against your actual ticket.

1. 1

   Right-turn exception

   You were turning right and were stopped only by oncoming traffic — which is permitted.

2. 2

   Exit was clear on entry

   When you entered, your exit was clear; traffic ahead stopped unexpectedly.

3. 3

   Unclear or non-compliant markings

   If the box markings are seriously unclear or non-compliant they may support a challenge (the “substantial compliance” test).

4. 4

   Insufficient evidence

   The footage doesn’t clearly show you entering with a blocked exit.

5. 5

   Forced entry / hazard avoidance

   You were pushed in by circumstances outside your control.

How to fight it

1. Don’t pay yet.
2. Replay the council’s footage and watch the moment you entered — was your exit clear?
3. Check whether you were turning right (the key exception).
4. Submit a formal written challenge before the deadline.
5. Let Beat It frame the grounds and write your appeal.