Parking Fine at a Bus Stop

Parking Fine at a Bus Stop

Stopping at a bus stop might seem harmless if no bus is in sight, but it can result in a parking fine. Bus stop restrictions are actively enforced, and the rules are stricter than many drivers realise. Here is what you need to know and how to appeal.

Bus Stop Restrictions

Bus stops can have different levels of restriction:

Bus stop clearway (yellow bus stop markings with "no stopping" sign): No vehicle other than a bus can stop for any reason during the operating hours shown on the sign. This is the strictest type.

Bus stop with standard markings: Vehicles may stop briefly in some circumstances, but cannot wait or park.

Bus stand: Similar to a bus stop but specifically for buses to wait between services. Even stricter restrictions may apply.

Contravention Code 47

The standard contravention code for parking or waiting at a bus stop is Code 47 ("Stopped on a restricted bus stop or stand"). This is typically a higher-rate contravention: £70 outside London (£35 early payment), up to £130 in some London boroughs.

In London, bus lane and bus stop enforcement is often handled by TfL, and penalties can be issued using CCTV.

When You CAN Stop at a Bus Stop

There are limited circumstances where stopping at a bus stop may be permissible:

1. Outside operating hours: If the bus stop clearway has specific operating hours shown on the sign (e.g., 7am to 7pm), you may stop outside those hours. If no hours are shown, the restriction is usually 24/7.

1. Very brief stops: Dropping off or picking up a passenger with minimal delay may be tolerated at non-clearway bus stops. However, at a clearway bus stop (with the "no stopping" sign), even a brief stop is technically a contravention.

1. Buses: Obviously, buses are exempt.

1. Emergency vehicles: Police, ambulance, and fire vehicles on duty are exempt.

1. When directed by a police officer: If a police officer directs you to stop.

The Loading Defence

Unlike yellow lines, the loading exemption is generally weaker at bus stops:

• At a bus stop clearway, loading is not permitted. The "no stopping" restriction means exactly that.
• At a bus stop without clearway markings, loading may provide a limited defence, but it depends on the specific restriction and signage.

If you were loading at a bus stop clearway, this is unlikely to succeed as a defence. The restriction is absolute.

How Enforcement Works

Bus stop enforcement uses several methods:

1. CEOs on patrol: Traffic wardens observing vehicles stopped at bus stops
2. CCTV cameras: Particularly common in London, where TfL uses cameras at bus stops
3. Bus-mounted cameras: Some buses have cameras that capture vehicles blocking bus stops. This system is used in London and is being adopted by other cities.

Signs and Markings

Bus stop clearways are indicated by:

• A broad yellow line along the kerb (thicker than a standard yellow line)
• A "no stopping" sign showing the bus stop symbol, a red circle, and the operating hours
• "BUS STOP" road markings

A standard bus stop without clearway restrictions will have the normal bus stop sign and markings but not the broad yellow line or "no stopping" sign.

Appealing a Bus Stop Fine

Grounds that may succeed:

1. The restriction was not in operation: You stopped outside the hours shown on the sign
2. Inadequate signage: The signs were missing, obscured, or illegible
3. Medical emergency: You stopped due to a sudden medical issue (yours or a passenger's)
4. Vehicle breakdown: The vehicle broke down at the bus stop (provide evidence)
5. Directed to stop: A police officer directed you to stop at that location
6. The bus stop has been decommissioned: If the stop is no longer in use but signs remain, this may be a defence

Grounds that are unlikely to succeed:

1. "There was no bus coming": Whether a bus is present is irrelevant. The restriction applies at all times during operating hours.
2. "I was only there for a minute": Duration does not matter at a clearway bus stop. Any stopping is a contravention.
3. "I was picking up/dropping off a passenger": At a clearway bus stop, even passenger drop-off is technically not permitted.
4. "There was nowhere else to stop": Lack of alternative parking is not a defence.

Bus Lanes vs Bus Stops

Bus lane fines and bus stop fines are different:

• Bus lane fine: Driving in a bus lane during operating hours (typically £60-130)
• Bus stop fine: Stopping at a bus stop clearway or restricted bus stop (typically £70-130)

You can receive both if you drive in a bus lane and then stop at a bus stop.

Practical Advice

To avoid bus stop fines:

1. Never stop at a bus stop with a broad yellow kerb line, even briefly
2. Check for the "no stopping" sign
3. If you need to drop someone off, find a safe spot before or after the bus stop
4. In London, be particularly careful; bus stop CCTV is widespread
5. Remember that the restriction applies whether or not a bus is visible

Multiple Fines at the Same Bus Stop

If you parked at a bus stop for an extended period, you may receive multiple PCNs. Generally, there should be a gap of at least 24 hours between PCNs for the same vehicle at the same location. If you received multiple PCNs within 24 hours, the second and subsequent ones may be challengeable.