Contravention code 18 · On-street

PCN Code 18: Using a vehicle in a parking place in connection with the sale or offering or exposing for sale of goods when prohibited

This is the official national contravention code printed on your notice. Here's what it means, and whether there's a common ground worth checking.

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Not a law firm. General information about the code itself, not legal advice about your case — upload your own notice for facts that actually apply to you.

What this code means

“Using a vehicle in a parking place in connection with the sale or offering or exposing for sale of goods when prohibited”

Code 18 is an on-street contravention from London Councils' national PATROL contravention code list, the standard list used on council and TfL penalty notices across England and Wales, not just London.

Councils set two penalty bands, higher and lower, and this contravention is usually charged at the higher band — the exact amount still varies by authority, so check the figure printed on your own notice.

Is there a common way to challenge this?

It depends on the facts of your case

Code 18 doesn't point to one obvious ground the way some codes do — the right one (signage, a procedural error by the council, incorrect notice details, or simply that the contravention didn't happen) depends on what actually happened where you parked, not on the code by itself.

Check your notice and pick your ground

Other on-street codes

Code 19

Parked in a residents' or shared use parking place or zone with an invalid virtual permit or displaying an invalid physical permit or voucher or pay and display ticket, or after the expiry of paid for time

Code 20

Parked in a part of a parking place marked by a yellow line where waiting is prohibited

Code 21

Parked wholly or partly in a suspended bay or space

Code 22

Re-parked in the same parking place or zone within one hour after leaving

Not sure which code applies to you? See the full list.

Official source for this code

London Councils' national PCN Contravention Code List (PATROL), the standard reference used on penalty notices across England and Wales.

Last reviewed: 30 August 2026

GOV.UK PATROL

OverturnFine is an independent document-preparation service. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, and it is not affiliated with any council, TfL, or UK government body.

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