First-time warning notices at new traffic cameras

Since 2022, councils in England outside London can apply for powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions: box junctions, banned turns, no entry, school streets, weight limits and similar. The Department for Transport's statutory guidance asks them to introduce each camera fairly.

What the guidance says

For 6 months after a council starts enforcing moving traffic contraventions at a particular camera location, it should issue warning notices, not PCNs, for first-time contraventions there. This also applies to any new camera location later. The warning should explain the 6-month period and that a further contravention at the same location will lead to a PCN. The guidance recommends councils keep accurate records of when enforcement started at each camera (DfT guidance, "Warning notices").

It covers new restrictions (new junctions, new or changed road layouts) and existing ones enforced by camera for the first time, such as a long-standing box junction.

London

London has enforced moving traffic for many years, so the expectation is narrower: London authorities are expected to send first-time warnings only for the newly enforceable cycle lane, cycle route and "buses prohibited" contraventions within 6 months of enforcement starting.

How to use it

1. Find out when enforcement started at that camera. Our camera pages show the start date where a source confirms it; councils also publish it.
2. If your PCN is within the first 6 months and you have had no earlier warning or PCN there, make representations saying a warning notice should have been issued under the DfT guidance and the council's own policy, and ask it to cancel.
3. Put it as compelling reasons, alongside any statutory ground that also applies.

Questions