Electric vehicle bay signs or markings were wrong
An electric vehicle (EV) charging bay must have both a specific plug symbol painted on the ground and an upright sign that meets precise official requirements. If either is missing, hidden, too low, or uses wording that does not match the approved layout, the restriction may not be legally enforceable. Common problems include no plug symbol on the bay markings, a sign blocked by a tree or parked van, or a sign fixed too close to the ground.
Legal basis
Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (SI 2016/362), Schedule 4 Part 4 and Schedule 11; Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 s.85; Herron v Sunderland City Council [2011] EWHC 2188 (Admin)
How to identify this in your case
Photograph the bay markings (must include EV plug symbol) and the upright sign (must be visible from driver's seat on approach). Compare against TSRGD 2016 diagrams.
Sample appeal wording
Dear Sir/Madam, Re: PCN [NUMBER] — EV Bay — [LOCATION] — [DATE] I challenge this PCN on the ground of defective signage. TSRGD 2016 (SI 2016/362) requires prescribed signs and markings to communicate an electric-vehicle-only bay restriction (Schedule 4 markings; Schedule 11 upright signs). At [LOCATION] on [DATE]: - [Sign defect: upright sign missing / obscured by foliage / not prescribed diagram / faded beyond legibility] - [Marking defect: EV plug symbol absent / faded] Photographs attached, taken on [DATE] at [TIME]. In Herron v Sunderland City Council [2011] EWHC 2188 (Admin) the Court confirmed a PCN cannot stand where prescribed signs are not in place. A reasonable motorist could not have appreciated this was a restricted bay. Please cancel the PCN. Yours faithfully, [NAME]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
Beat It writes this argument automatically
Scan your PCN — our AI checks if this ground applies to your specific ticket, drafts a properly-cited appeal letter, and submits it to the council on your behalf. Only pay if you win.
Scan my ticket