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proceduralUK · England & WalesDifficulty: moderate

School Entrance Ticket Issued Outside the Hours on the Upright Sign

Where the upright sign beside the school zig-zags shows a time period, the ban on stopping applies only during that period — the law is explicit that the prohibition runs 'if the sign shows a time period, during that period'. A code 48 ticket timed outside the signed hours (evenings, weekends, or outside the plated times) is not a contravention.

Legal basis

Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (SI 2016/362), Schedule 7 Part 6 paragraph 3(b) — the prohibition conveyed by the marking with an upright sign applies, where the sign shows a time period, only during that period

How to identify this in your case

Compare the contravention time on the PCN with the times shown on the upright no-stopping sign at the zig-zags (e.g. 'Mon–Fri 8am–9.30am, 2.30pm–4pm'). Photograph the sign so the times are legible and take a wide shot linking it to the marking. If your PCN time is outside those hours — including weekends or school holidays where the plate is weekday-only — this ground applies. If the sign shows no times, the ban is 24/7 and this does not apply.

Sample appeal wording

Before you send this

Deadline. A late submission can be turned down without your argument being read. Check your notice for the deadline and how it is counted.
Paying may end it. Paying can count as accepting the notice and can close a challenge already under way. Part-paying or acknowledging an old debt can also revive a time limit that had expired.
The amount can change. Check what happens to the sum if you challenge — it may be held, re-offered lower, or keep rising, and fees or enforcement can continue meanwhile.
Use the official route. Use the method, recipient and form your notice specifies, with any reference, evidence and signature it asks for. Sent elsewhere, it may not count.
Only say what is true. Do not copy any statement of fact unless it is true for you, and check the legal point still applies. Delete what does not fit. It may be treated as your statement.
Careful what you volunteer. Avoid unnecessary admissions — naming the driver or accepting responsibility can remove arguments. But answer anything you are legally required to answer, and do include the evidence your ground needs.
Keep the record. Keep what you sent, the attachments, any receipt, and the reply. Note the next deadline.

Sample wording to adapt and send yourself — it may not fit your notice or the stage you are at.

I am appealing this penalty charge issued under contravention code 48. Under Schedule 7 Part 6 paragraph 3(b) of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, where the upright sign placed in conjunction with the 'SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR' marking shows a time period, the prohibition on stopping applies only during that period. The upright sign at this location displays an operating period, as shown in my enclosed photographs, and the time of the alleged contravention stated on the penalty charge notice falls outside it. No contravention therefore occurred. I put the authority to proof of the signed hours in force at this location on the date in question and ask that the penalty charge be cancelled.

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School Entrance Ticket Issued Outside the Hours on the Upright Sign

Legal basis

How to identify this in your case

Sample appeal wording

Beat It writes this argument automatically

Sources

Related appeal grounds

Next steps