Contravention Code 86 — Not Parked in a Designated Parking Place or Bay

Last updated: March 2026

Code 86 is an off-street contravention — it applies in council car parks rather than on public roads. If you have been ticketed for not parking within a marked bay, defences around faded markings, car park overcrowding, and bay design can all support a successful appeal.

What Does Code 86 Mean?

Contravention code 86 is a lower-level contravention issued when a vehicle is not parked within a designated bay or space in an off-street parking place (council car park). This might mean parking between bays, in a non-bay area, straddling two bays, or in an access lane. The penalty is £50 outside London or £80 in London, with a 50% early-payment discount. It is the off-street equivalent of code 24 (on-street).

When Is This Code Issued?

A CEO patrolling a council car park will issue a code 86 PCN when they find a vehicle parked outside the marked bays. Common scenarios include parking on hatched areas, across bay lines, in access aisles, or in areas of the car park that are not designated for parking. The CEO must photograph the vehicle showing its position relative to the bay markings.

Common Defences

Bay Markings Faded or Invisible

Car park bay markings are subject to heavy wear from vehicles driving over them. If the markings were so faded that a reasonable motorist could not identify where the bays were, the contravention cannot stand. This is the most common and effective defence for code 86. Photograph the area immediately — if other vehicles are also parked at odd angles or outside markings, this supports your argument that the lines were not visible.

Car Park Was Full — Overspill

If the car park was completely full when you arrived and you parked in a non-bay area alongside other vehicles doing the same, you can argue that you were following the established pattern of use and had no reasonable alternative. While this is not a strict legal defence, councils and tribunals may exercise discretion, particularly if the car park is known to be regularly overcrowded. Photographs showing a full car park with multiple vehicles parked outside bays are useful.

Bay Too Small for Your Vehicle

Off-street parking bays in older car parks may be narrower than modern standards recommend. If your vehicle is larger than average and the bay dimensions made it impossible to park within the lines without risking damage to adjacent vehicles, this is a valid consideration. The question is whether a motorist acting reasonably could have fitted within the bay.

Forced Out of Position by Adjacent Vehicles

If vehicles on either side were parked over the lines when you arrived, forcing you to park partially outside your bay, this can be raised as a defence. Dashcam footage or photographs taken at the time of parking showing the adjacent vehicles' positions are strong evidence.

No Signs Stating Bays Must Be Used

The car park must have signage indicating that vehicles must park within marked bays. If no such signage exists, or if the signage does not mention bay compliance, the restriction may not be properly advertised. Check the car park's information boards and terms and conditions signage.

What Are Your Chances of Success?

Code 86 appeals have a reasonable success rate. Faded bay markings are the most reliable defence because council car parks frequently suffer from poor maintenance. At the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, adjudicators expect clear bay markings and will cancel PCNs where the markings are inadequate. Overspill defences are less certain but can succeed where supported by photographic evidence of a clearly overcrowded car park. The key is acting quickly to photograph the conditions before the council repaints the lines.

Related Guides

• How to Appeal a Council Parking Ticket (PCN)
• Traffic Penalty Tribunal — How It Works
• Contravention Code 24 — Not Parked Correctly in a Bay
• Contravention Code 73 — Parked Without Payment