TS20 — Failing to Comply with Double White Lines

Not every crossing of a solid white line is an offence — the exceptions matter. Get the circumstances checked.

TS20 covers crossing or straddling double white lines where the solid line is on your side of the road — most commonly caught overtaking on a stretch where it isn't permitted. The standard outcome is a £100 fixed penalty and 3 points, usually reported by another driver, a marked patrol, or increasingly a dashcam submission.

The rules include real exceptions: overtaking a cyclist, horse or road-maintenance vehicle travelling under 10mph is permitted even across a solid line, as is turning into a side road or entrance. Whether the circumstances genuinely fell inside one of those exceptions is often the crux of a TS20 case, and it's worth having checked before you accept the points.

What TS20 covers

1. Overtaking or crossing where a solid white line is on your side of the carriageway.
2. Fixed penalty: £100 and 3 points.
3. Exception: overtaking a cyclist, horse-rider or slow road-maintenance vehicle under 10mph.
4. Exception: turning right into or out of a side road or driveway.
5. Often reported via dashcam submission rather than caught by a fixed camera.

I overtook a cyclist over the solid line — is that really an offence?

No — the Highway Code specifically permits crossing a solid line to overtake a cyclist, horse-rider or road-maintenance vehicle travelling under 10mph, provided it's safe to do so. If that's what happened, it's a solid ground to challenge a TS20.

A dashcam clip was submitted against me — how does that work?

Forces accept third-party dashcam footage as evidence for reportable offences including TS20. The clip and any accompanying statement should be requested and reviewed — footage taken out of context, or from an angle that misrepresents the road markings, is a genuine challenge point.

What should I send for a review?

The NIP, the Section 172 notice, and any footage or photos you've been given, along with your account of what happened — you'll get a written assessment within 24-48 hours.

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