Yellow box: waiting to turn right is allowed

Yellow box junctions have an important exception built into the rules: you ARE allowed to enter the box and wait there if you want to turn right, but oncoming traffic — or other vehicles also waiting to turn right — is blocking you from completing the turn. Many penalty charge notices (PCNs) are issued without this exception being taken into account. If it applies to your situation, the exception is absolute: the council has no power to ignore it or override it. Important: this exception applies in England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland has different rules, so check the position there before relying on this argument.

Legal basis

Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (SI 2016/362), Schedule 9, Part 7, paragraph 11(3): the prohibition in paragraph 11(1) does not apply, in respect of a box junction within sub-paragraph (6)(a) of the definition, to a person who causes a vehicle to enter the box junction for the purpose of turning right and stops within it only for so long as the right turn is prevented by an oncoming vehicle, or by another vehicle stationary while waiting to complete a right turn. A sub-paragraph (6)(a) box junction is one at a junction between two or more roads; the exception does not extend to a box junction marked across an access under sub-paragraph (6)(c). Highway Code Rule 174 states the same exception in plain terms but is guidance, not the source of the right.

How to identify this in your case

Check CCTV: vehicle indicating right? Stopped by oncoming traffic or another right-turner? If yes, defence applies absolutely.

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. Replace the bracketed prompts with your own details; leave any case citation as it is.

Dear Sir/Madam, Re: PCN [NUMBER] — Yellow Box — Right-turn — [DATE] I challenge this PCN. Highway Code Rule 174 expressly states: 'You may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right.' At [LOCATION] on [DATE/TIME] I was: - Indicating right to turn into [STREET] - Prevented from completing the turn by oncoming through-traffic / by another right-turning vehicle ahead Council CCTV will confirm the right indicator, oncoming traffic, and immediate completion once a gap appeared. This is a recognised exception in the Highway Code and an absolute defence. Please cancel. Yours faithfully, [NAME]

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 sends it for you where the council takes email — guiding you through their own online form where they use one, so you press submit. The win fee is only charged if you win.

Scan my ticket

Yellow box: waiting to turn right is allowed

Legal basis

How to identify this in your case

Sample appeal wording

Beat It writes this argument automatically

Sources

Related appeal grounds

Next steps