Code 31Standard Penalty (£130 / £160 London)

Contravention Code 31: Entering and Stopping in a Yellow Box Junction

How to appeal yellow box junction CCTV camera fines using turning right exemptions and unexpected vehicle cut-ins.

Understanding Contravention Code 31 (Yellow Box Junctions)

Code 31 moving traffic PCNs are enforced using automatic CCTV cameras. Under the law, a contravention only occurs if you enter the box when your exit is not clear due to stationary vehicles.

Key Appeal Grounds

  1. Turning Right Exemption: You are legally entitled to enter and wait stationary inside a yellow box junction if waiting to turn right and prevented from doing so only by oncoming traffic or right-turning vehicles.
  2. Unexpected Lane Change (Cut-In): If your exit was clear when you entered the box junction, but another vehicle unexpectedly switched lanes and blocked your exit, no contravention was committed.
  3. De Minimis (Marginal Stop): If the vehicle was stopped for less than 5 seconds or only a rear wheel remained inside the boundary marking, London Tribunals precedents frequently cancel the penalty.
  4. Illegal Box Junction Dimensions: Yellow box junctions must meet strict Department for Transport (DfT) specifications or possess special DfT site authorisation.