You Were Genuinely Loading or Unloading at the Time
Stopping on yellow lines to load or unload is normally allowed, as long as there are no loading ban marks on the kerb (short yellow dashes at right angles to the kerb). If you were actively loading or unloading, this is a complete defence — the ticket should not stand. To succeed, you need to show that goods were genuinely being moved to or from the vehicle, and that you were not away from the vehicle for longer than the job reasonably required.
Legal basis
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 s.5 and sch.1 (exemptions); London Local Authorities Act 1996; DfT Operational Guidance 2008 on loading
How to identify this in your case
You were actively loading or unloading at the time of the alleged contravention. Gather evidence: delivery/collection receipts, photos, witness statements. Check whether loading marks (kerb blips) are present — if they are, the loading exemption does not apply.
Sample appeal wording
Dear Representations Team, Re: PCN [NUMBER] — Vehicle [REG] I formally challenge this PCN on the basis that loading/unloading was in progress at the time of the alleged contravention. Parking on yellow lines for the purpose of loading or unloading is a statutory exemption under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Schedule 1 thereof, provided no loading ban (kerb marks) is in force at the location. I can confirm: 1. I was actively loading/unloading [DESCRIBE GOODS/ITEMS] at the time 2. The activity was completed as expeditiously as possible 3. No loading restriction kerb marks were present at the location (photograph attached) I attach supporting evidence: [delivery receipt / business invoice / photographs of goods being loaded]. I request cancellation of this 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 ticketSources
- Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 sch.1
- DfT Operational Guidance 2008 ch.5
Related appeal grounds
- Asking the Council to Let You Pay in Instalments
- Bus lane — emergency / unavoidable (giving way to emergency vehicle)
- Compelling reasons to ask Oxfordshire County Council to cancel the Oxford ZEZ penalty
- Council acted unreasonably — claim your appeal costs
- Drove into low-traffic zone during a genuine emergency
- EV bay overstay — TRO max-stay vs reasonable charging time