Motorists could face a hefty fine of up to £160 for stopping on a common road marking found throughout the country.
Road markings are designed to guide drivers, indicating what they can and cannot do in specific areas. For instance, certain markings indicate which lane drivers should use or where parking is prohibited.
Ignoring these markings not only increases the risk of accidents but could also lead to fines. Yellow box junctions, marked by yellow squares with a criss-cross pattern, often catch out drivers.
These markings signal that drivers should not stop within the designated area, although there are some exceptions.
If you ignore this rule, you could face a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of up to £130 in London, while other areas are capped at a fine of £70. This fine is usually issued when a vehicle has stopped in the yellow box junction, causing congestion at a busy intersection.
However, you may be able to avoid the full fine by paying a reduced 50% rate within the first 14 days.
Exceptions to yellow box junction rules
While vehicles are generally not allowed to stop in a yellow box junction, there is one key exception. According to Rule 174 of the Highway Code, motorists should not enter the box until their exit road or lane is clear.
It reads: “However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. At signalled roundabouts, you MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross over it completely without stopping.”
Challenging a yellow box fine
If you receive a fine for an alleged yellow box junction violation, you may be able to appeal it. There could be a variety of reasons that could help you avoid a fine.
For example, one driver described seeing a clear exit when entering the box, but then got trapped due to another vehicle cutting her up. A review of CCTV evidence supported her claim, and her appeal succeeded.
Another motorist found their lane blocked by a car cutting out unexpectedly, even though there was enough space when they entered the box. Their story also ended in a successful appeal.
You can find many more instances where appeals were either accepted or rejected on Yellow Box Guru here.