Yellow box junctions: what are the rules and how can I avoid a fine?

Stopping in a yellow box junction could cost you up to £130. We explain the rules, so you can stay safe and avoid a fine.

Yellow box junction

A study by the RAC has uncovered problems with 90 percent of proposed new yellow box junctions.

Previously, this type of monitored junction was only located in London and Cardiff, but a ruling in 2022 has granted councils across the UK new powers to enforce moving traffic offences.

Yellow box junctions are designed to prevent a road becoming blocked and keep traffic flowing. However, they can also catch drivers unawares, resulting in a fine of up to £130.

Many are monitored by enforcement cameras, which can automatically process penalty charge notices (PCNs) – hence their ‘money box junctions’ nickname.

Our guide will help you obey the rules and avoid a penalty.

Yellow box junctions are usually found in urban areas, where tailbacks can block opposing traffic flow. Previous research by the RAC found eight in 10 drivers said they struggle to drive cleanly through yellow box junctions. And the motoring organisation’s latest report found more than half (55 percent) of the new yellow box junctions applied for by councils since 2022 directly contravene the current government guidance.

An investigation by Click4Reg found London councils earned up to £520,000 from moving traffic violations every day.

The City of London borough typically issues up to 200,000 penalties in a year, making around £25 million as a result.

Read on for the facts about yellow box junctions.

Breaking the rules of yellow box junctions

Yellow box junctions: what you need to know

What is the point of a yellow box junction?

A box junction keeps traffic flowing by marking out an area of road space that should be kept clear at all times.

When can I drive into a yellow box junction?

You are only meant to enter a box junction if your exit is clear – in other words, if you can drive all the way through it without stopping.

Am I ever allowed to stop in a yellow box junction?

If you are turning right, you can stop in a box junction if oncoming traffic prevents you from doing so – but only if your exit is clear.

What is the penalty for stopping in a yellow box junction?

The fine for stopping in a yellow box ranges from £70 to £130 (the latter in London). However, it is halved if paid within 14 days.

Will I get points on my licence for breaking yellow box rules?

No, you will not receive penalty points on your driving licence for a yellow box offence.

Why do people get annoyed about yellow box junctions?

Motorists get frustrated with box junction transgressors because everyone else gets blocked, along with the offending driver. It is considered one of the more ‘selfish’ motoring offences.

I still remember something about them from my driving test…

Well remembered! Yellow box junctions are covered by rule 174 of the Highway Code.

Video: how to use a yellow box junction

RAC spokesperson Simon Williams said: “Our research shows yellow box junctions are very divisive issue for drivers.

“There is a strong feeling that many junctions are not set up fairly, which leads to drivers having no choice but stop in them, whether that’s due to poor traffic light sequencing, poor design or being used in the wrong place.

The RAC adds that authorities should carefully analyse every yellow box junction before installing a camera, to confirm it’s possible to drive through without stopping.

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Motoring Research team
Motoring Research team
News, reviews, advice and features from the award-winning Motoring Resarch editorial team.

8 COMMENTS

  1. “Until recently, only local councils in London and Cardiff could issue fines for ‘moving traffic violations’. However, drivers across the UK now face the same rules.”

    Hi – do you have a source for the rest fo UK facing same rules?

    • Hi Yes, I refer to: a Statutory Instruments. 2007.The Civil Enforcement of Parking Contravention(England) Representations and Appeals Regulations.. This Law become Law in 2008.Page 3.(ii) that, whether or not any of those grounds apply, there are compelling reasons why, in the circumstances of the case, the enforcement authority should cancel the penalty charge and refund any sum paid to it on account of the penalty charge. (THAT IS STATUTE ) The Council CANNOT refuse to comply with that Law Passed by Parliament. My wife was issued with a PCN, Claiming she Stopped in a Yellow Box junction? This claim went to a Hearing, The Adjudicator Stated: my wife was NOT the Driver and she did NOT stop in a Yellow Box Junction, he Stated: he could Not cancel the PCN. My wife paid the Fine. She then Appointed myself as her Representative. I took a Claim out in the CCMCC. Walthamforest did not submit Any evidence, so I applied for a Default Judgment, which was granted, Walthamforest Council Refused to Pay, I then told then if the Refused by a Certain date, I would apply for a Warrant of Control. Guess What? They Paid UP.

  2. I have an issue with TWO yellow box areas at a junction in Enfield. I very briefly straddled the end edge of the 2nd one for 15 secs, having cleared the first box. I’ve got a fine!!! If I’d stopped in the unmarked area BETWEEN the two yellow boxes, although this would have totally ‘blocked’ the entire road junction, it would apparently have been legal… !! seems utterly bizarre. Why is the whole area not a yellow box, making it very clear? Do I appeal to an adjudicator?

  3. Hello JS,
    SNAP! I recently suffered the exact same problem. A box junction is supposed to control different flows of traffic and so they are usually at crossroads to prevent gridlock. The second box junction that you mention [as you head towards Enfield town Station] seems to serve no purpose at all, as ALL of the traffic goes through it in the same direction! And you are completely correct when you say that stopping between the two box junctions would definitely block traffic that is passing along [towards the Enfield council civic building (Silver st)].
    At the present time the road beyond the second box junction is under construction works and so the two lanes have become reduced to one. This means that it is very difficult to gauge the position of where traffic will be if you are starting from behind the FIRST box junction (parallel, say, to the pub/Nandos).
    I have requested a video of the alleged contravention and will be taking the matter up with the adjudicator .

    • Hello H , I have just had an appeal rejected by the council for stopping half out of the box because there was a tail back from the trafic lights for the pedestrians by the station. I have been told by the council that I should have stopped before the entering the box. This would have meant stopping on the corner. In my view the exit from the box can’t be seen until you are half way round the corner.
      What do you think of my chances of winning if I take it to the adjudicator? Has your case been heard yet? All the best Jim Fleming

  4. Could anyone tell me if theres a sign to tell u theres a yellow box on floor..f traffic is heavy with buses ..u are unfamiliar with area …
    A bus had broken down. Had hazard lights on…I went round and ended up in a box.. traffic in front was stationary at lights m

  5. My wife was issued with a Yellow Box Fine, the only problem was, she did NOT stop in the Yellow Box Junction . She was NOT the Driver of the Vehicle. She told Waltham Forest, she was NOT the Driver. It went to an Adjudicator, he agreed my wife was Not the Driver, he said the Driver was her Husband (My Self) he Stated I was the Driver, and I stopped in the Yellow Box Junction. Referred to Section 4 of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003 provides that where the relevant bough council have reason to believe (whether or not on the basis of information provided by a camera or other device) that a penalty charge is payable under this section with respect to a motor vehicle. I referred to Part 2.of that Adjudicators comments. Section 4. (2) (ii) the person appearing to them to be the person who was in control of the vehicle at the tome of the contravention. (7) For the purpose of this section, a penalty charge is payable with respect to a vehicle by- (b) the person in control of the vehicle. The PCN Notice went to a Review. again an Adjudicator Stated, my wife was Not the Driver, she stated I was the Appellant, the Appeal was Not rejected? but the PCN must be paid, she referred to my claim regards (7) she said it referred to: if the person in control of the vehicle acts in contravention of the lorry ban order? what’s she talking about: Lorry ban order? Any ideas?

  6. In the video, at 0’54”, the narrator says

    “If your exit isn’t clear and you’re not turning right, no part of your vehicle should be in the box.”

    This implies that if your exit is clear, or if you are turning right, you can enter the box. That is, if you are turning right you can enter the box, whether or not your exit is clear.

    This contradicts the text above:

    “If you are turning right, you can stop in a box junction if oncoming traffic prevents you from doing so – but only if your exit is clear.”

    Please could you clarify which is true?

    Thanks.

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