Contravention code 38 · On-street

PCN Code 38: Failing to comply with a sign indicating that vehicular traffic must pass to the specified side of the sign

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

“Failing to comply with a sign indicating that vehicular traffic must pass to the specified side of the sign”

Code 38 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.

Is there a common way to challenge this?

It depends on the facts of your case

Code 38 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 39

Reserved for TfL use (Ultra Low Emission Zone)

Code 40

Parked in a designated disabled person's parking place without displaying a valid disabled person's badge in the prescribed manner

Code 41

Stopped in a parking place designated for diplomatic vehicles

Code 42

Parked in a parking place designated for police vehicles

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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