PCN code 51: meaning and how to appeal
Moving trafficMoving traffic / bus laneCan be camera-enforced
Official description: “Failing to comply with a no entry restriction”
What it means
You drove past a 'no entry' sign.
How much is a code 51 PCN?
Bus lane and moving traffic contraventions have a single penalty level.
| Area | Penalty | Paid early (50%) | After charge certificate (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London boroughs and TfL | £160 | £80 | £240 |
| Outside London (band 2) | £70 | £35 | £105 |
| Outside London (band 1 areas) | £60 | £30 | £90 |
Outside London, only councils that have been given moving traffic enforcement powers under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 can issue these PCNs, and most of them use £70.
Sources: London Councils (London amounts from 7 April 2025) and SI 2022/71 Schedule 3 (outside London). Full fines guide.
Deadlines
- London: the PCN comes by post. There's a 50% discount within 14 days, and you have 28 days to pay or make representations.
- Outside London: the PCN comes by post. There's a 50% discount within 21 days, and you have 28 days to pay or make representations. The council must decide within 56 days. For the first six months at a new camera site, a warning notice should be sent for a first contravention.
- Notice of Rejection: 28 days to appeal to the tribunal (free).
- Charge certificate: the penalty rises by 50%. Order for recovery: 21 days to pay or file a witness statement.
Common grounds to appeal a code 51 PCN
- The sign was missing, obscured or not visible in time.
- An exemption shown on the signs applied (e.g. 'except cycles', 'except buses').
- You were directed by police.
Also check the PCN itself: are the date, time, location, vehicle and code correct, and was it served on time? Errors can support the statutory grounds, such as procedural impropriety or 'the contravention did not occur'.
Evidence to gather
- Ask to view the camera footage or for still images - you are entitled to this for camera PCNs (in England outside London, regulation 3(3) of SI 2022/576).
- Dash-cam footage of the approach and the signs.
- Photos of the signs and road markings from the driver's view on approach.
Code 51 suffixes
The letter after the code shows the type of bay, vehicle or enforcement. Suffixes that apply to code 51:
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 51J | camera (CCTV) enforcement |
How to appeal
- Formal representations within 28 days of the Notice to Owner or postal PCN.
- If rejected, appeal to the tribunal within 28 days.
Write your code 51 appeal letter for free. Pick your grounds, add your facts, then copy, download or print.
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Related codes
Frequently asked questions
What does PCN code 51 mean?
Code 51 is “Failing to comply with a no entry restriction”. In plain English: You drove past a 'no entry' sign.
How much is a code 51 PCN?
Moving traffic and bus lane PCNs are £160 in London (£80 if paid within 14 days) and usually £70 outside London (£35 if paid early).
Can I appeal a code 51 PCN?
Yes. Common grounds include: The sign was missing, obscured or not visible in time. An exemption shown on the signs applied (e.g. 'except cycles', 'except buses'). You were directed by police.
How long do I have to challenge a code 51 PCN?
Challenge within 14 days to protect the discount where possible. Formal representations must be made within 28 days of the Notice to Owner or postal PCN, and a tribunal appeal within 28 days of a Notice of Rejection.
Official sources
- London Councils: Penalty Charge Notices contravention code list (v7.0)
- PATROL / Traffic Penalty Tribunal: Contravention codes (England and Wales)
- London Councils: Parking and traffic charges in London
- SI 2022/71 Schedule 3: penalty charge bands outside Greater London
- SI 2022/576 regulation 5: grounds for representations
- DfT statutory guidance: bus lane and moving traffic enforcement outside London (updated 21 Oct 2022)