I was in the box for 3 seconds — is that 'stationary'?

Stationary means not moving — briefly at rest. If the vehicle slowed significantly or stopped, even momentarily, that may satisfy the contravention requirement. The enforcement video is the key — request it and assess whether the vehicle was genuinely stationary or merely moving slowly.

How do I get the full enforcement video?

Request it from the council under GDPR (Subject Access Request) or as part of your formal representations. The council must disclose all evidence they rely on for the PCN. Specify that you require the full video, not a still photograph or short clip.

The exit looked clear when I entered — how do I prove that?

The enforcement video itself may show the state of the exit at the moment you entered. Dashcam footage from your vehicle is the most direct evidence. If neither is available, argue that the enforcement evidence does not establish exit blockage at the point of entry, which is a necessary element of the contravention.

I was turning right and was held — why did I get a PCN?

Highway Code Rule 174 permits this, but enforcement cameras sometimes trigger incorrectly. In your representations, state clearly that you were waiting in the box to complete a right turn and were prevented from doing so only by oncoming traffic — which is expressly permitted. Include dashcam evidence of the turn if available.

Yellow Box Junction — Vehicle Not Stationary

By GetRighted Legal Research TeamLast updated July 2026

Summary

A yellow box junction contravention under Traffic Management Act 2004 requires the vehicle to have stopped (become stationary) in the box when the exit was not clear at the time of entry. Highway Code Rule 174 expressly permits waiting in the box to turn right if blocked by oncoming traffic. TSRGD 2016, Diagram 1043 confirms that a vehicle moving through the box — even slowly — has not committed a contravention. Requesting the full video evidence is essential: brief footage of the vehicle in the box does not establish whether it stopped. Success rate is approximately 65%.

Legal Basis
Highway Code Rule 174: 'You may wait in the box if you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right.' TSRGD 2016, Diagram 1043: a vehicle that entered when the exit was clear and was then blocked by changed circumstances has not committed a contravention. TMA 2004, Part 6: contravention requires the vehicle to be STATIONARY in the box when exit was not clear at time of entry.

When This Defense Applies

This defense applies where: your vehicle was moving through the box throughout — brief frame-by-frame analysis of enforcement video may show continuous motion; you entered when the exit was clear but were blocked by circumstances that changed after entry; you were waiting in the box to turn right and were held by oncoming traffic (this is expressly permitted). Request the full video evidence — not a still photograph — as the distinction between moving and stationary is only visible in video.

Evidence Required

Request and analyse the enforcement footage:

Full video evidence from the enforcement authority (request under GDPR Subject Access Request if not provided with the PCN)
Frame-by-frame analysis showing vehicle in motion throughout, or clear exit on entry
If right turn: evidence of right turn intention (indicator visible, position in road)
If exit became blocked after entry: dashcam or witness evidence showing exit was clear when you entered

Win Rate

Approximately 65% success at Traffic Penalty Tribunal and PATAS. The enforcement authority must prove the vehicle was stationary in the box with exit blocked on entry — the full video is essential to this analysis.

Operator-Specific Patterns

Westminster City Council: Heavy yellow box enforcement on key central London junctions. Review camera footage carefully — brief deceleration is not 'stopping.' Manchester City Council: Check whether the junction has adequate advance warning signs and whether the box markings are clearly visible (combine with defective-road-markings ground if applicable).

Sources

Highway Code Rule 174
Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Diagram 1043
Traffic Management Act 2004, Part 6

Frequently Asked Questions

I was in the box for 3 seconds — is that 'stationary'?: Stationary means not moving — briefly at rest. If the vehicle slowed significantly or stopped, even momentarily, that may satisfy the contravention requirement. The enforcement video is the key — request it and assess whether the vehicle was genuinely stationary or merely moving slowly.
How do I get the full enforcement video?: Request it from the council under GDPR (Subject Access Request) or as part of your formal representations. The council must disclose all evidence they rely on for the PCN. Specify that you require the full video, not a still photograph or short clip.
The exit looked clear when I entered — how do I prove that?: The enforcement video itself may show the state of the exit at the moment you entered. Dashcam footage from your vehicle is the most direct evidence. If neither is available, argue that the enforcement evidence does not establish exit blockage at the point of entry, which is a necessary element of the contravention.
I was turning right and was held — why did I get a PCN?: Highway Code Rule 174 permits this, but enforcement cameras sometimes trigger incorrectly. In your representations, state clearly that you were waiting in the box to complete a right turn and were prevented from doing so only by oncoming traffic — which is expressly permitted. Include dashcam evidence of the turn if available.

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Yellow Box Junction — Vehicle Not Stationary

When This Defense Applies

Evidence Required

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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