TS20 : failing to comply with double white lines

Checked 22 July 2026 · How we check our figures

What it means

TS20 polices the solid line, and its edges are narrower than folk memory: where the line nearest you is continuous, crossing or straddling it is the offence, and the lawful exceptions are a short list, turning into premises or a side road, passing a stationary vehicle, or overtaking a cyclist, horse or road works vehicle moving at 10 miles per hour or less. A clear road ahead appears nowhere on that list. The line itself is a traffic sign in law, s. 36 RTA 1988, which is why the code lives in this family rather than with the driving standards.

Points and how long it stays

3 points.

On the licence for 4 years from the date of the offence.

The TS codes carry the flattest arithmetic of the table, 3 points each on the 4-year offence clock, no ranges. What varies is the instrument: traffic lights (TS10), double white lines (TS20), the stop sign (TS30), a constable's or warden's direction (TS40, s. 35 RTA 1988), the general sign catch-all (TS50 and TS70) and the school crossing patrol (TS60, s. 28 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984); the sign offences themselves run under s. 36 RTA 1988. Only the traffic light code is routinely enforced by camera, the rest need an officer on the spot, which is why TS10 dominates the family in volume. A sign supports a conviction only where it is lawfully prescribed and placed, and that is argued in a courtroom, not on the form. Flat 3s stack quietly: four of them inside 3 years reach the totting line, the mechanics in the totting up guide at /fines/guides/totting-up.

The usual route

A police stop typically ends in the endorsable fixed penalty of 100 pounds and 3 points (gov.uk, checked 2026-07-22); there is no routine camera version of this code.

If it goes to court

In court the fine is income-banded at the lower bands; mechanics in the fine bands guide.

Authority

gov.uk, Penalty points (endorsements), checked 2026-07-22

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