Contravention code 34 is a bus lane contravention, enforced by CCTV cameras. If you have received this PCN from Gateshead Metropolitan, Parking Mate AI can check it for defects and prepare a challenge letter for Traffic Penalty Tribunal.

Contravention code 34 means: Being in a bus lane. This is a bus lane contravention issued under the Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (General Provisions) Regulations 2022. Gateshead Metropolitan enforces this via CCTV cameras.
You have received a penalty charge notice from Gateshead Metropolitan with contravention code 34. In plain English, this means the council considers that you being in a bus lane.
The legal basis for this PCN is the bus lane enforcement scheme, backed by a traffic regulation order (TRO or TMO) that Gateshead Metropolitan must have properly made and signed. Without a valid order and compliant signage, the restriction is not enforceable.
To challenge this PCN, you can make formal representations to Gateshead Metropolitan. If the council rejects your representations, you have the right to appeal to Traffic Penalty Tribunal. The adjudicator's decision is independent and binding on the council.
No contravention actually occurred at the time stated
Contravention code does not match the restriction in force
No photographic evidence supporting the alleged contravention
Evidence is unclear, obscured, or of poor quality
Required signage is missing or not visible from the parking place
Signs are obscured, damaged, or do not comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations
Traffic regulation order (TRO) is defective or does not cover the location
PCN does not contain all the information required by regulations
PCN was not served within the statutory time limit
Notice to owner was not issued within the required period
The PCN itself
Photos of signage at the location
Photos of road markings
Any payment receipts
Dashcam footage if available
View all PCN help for Gateshead Metropolitan.
View the standalone code 34 contravention code page.
View the enforcement scheme that covers code 34.
Using a route restricted to certain vehicles
Common questions about contravention code 34 PCNs from Gateshead Metropolitan and how to challenge them.
Contravention code 34 on a Gateshead Metropolitan PCN means: Being in a bus lane. This is a bus lane contravention enforced by CCTV cameras within the Gateshead Metropolitan area.
You can make formal representations to Gateshead Metropolitan within 28 days of receiving the notice to owner. If Gateshead Metropolitan rejects your representations, you have 28 days to appeal to Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Upload your PCN and Parking Mate AI identifies the grounds specific to code 34.
Common defences for a Gateshead Metropolitan code 34 PCN include inadequate or missing signage, a defective traffic regulation order, poor camera evidence quality, incorrect contravention code, and procedural failures in serving the notice.
Yes. If Gateshead Metropolitan has issued your PCN with contravention code 34 but the code does not accurately describe what happened, this is a valid ground for challenge. The contravention code must match the restriction actually in force at the location and time stated.
You typically have 28 days to pay at the discounted rate or make an informal challenge. After a notice to owner, you have 28 days for formal representations. If Gateshead Metropolitan rejects those, you have 28 days to appeal to Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Check your code 34 PCN promptly.
For a Gateshead Metropolitan code 34 challenge, gather the PCN itself, photos of signage and road markings at the location, any payment receipts, dashcam footage if available, and a written note of why you believe code 34 was incorrectly applied.
No. A Gateshead Metropolitan code 34 PCN may be incorrectly issued for several reasons: the signage may not comply with regulations, the camera evidence may be unclear, the TRO may be defective, or the code may not match what actually happened.
Ignoring a Gateshead Metropolitan code 34 PCN leads to escalation: notice to owner, then a charge certificate (increasing the penalty by 50%), then registration at the Traffic Enforcement Centre, and eventually bailiff enforcement. Responding early preserves the most options.
Each council has its own enforcement patterns and approach. Gateshead Metropolitan has specific local factors, including local authority parking enforcement Parking Mate AI applies Gateshead Metropolitan-specific checks when analysing your code 34 PCN.
Upload your Gateshead Metropolitan code 34 PCN and Parking Mate AI reads the details automatically. It checks whether code 34 was correctly applied, whether the signage and procedure meet the required standards, and whether the notice was properly served. If defects are found, you receive a professional challenge letter for Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
Upload your penalty charge notice for a free Parking Mate AI defect check. If grounds are found for your Gateshead Metropolitan code 34 PCN, get a professional challenge letter for Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
