Is it illegal to park across a driveway?

What are your rights if somebody has parked in front of your driveway? We explain the law on residential street and driveway parking.

Driveway parking

On streets where parking is in short supply, some drivers will resort to desperate measures to find a space.

A frustrating situation for many home owners is when another person parks in front of your driveway.

So, where does the law stand on this issue? And aside from leaving an exasperated note under the car’s windscreen wiper, is there anything you can do?

A public space

Resident parking and parking in front of your driveway

The law is clear on drivers’ rights to park in residential areas. Unless otherwise specified, the parking spaces on your street, and indeed outside your home, are available to all.

The police will remind you that it’s not ‘your right’ to park in front of your house.

That said, there is one situation where this doesn’t apply: areas that require resident parking permits. These have proliferated where commuter parking is rife – e.g. close to train stations. These zones require a permit, available to residents only, to be displayed during certain periods of the day.

Also, the rules state that you’re not allowed to park ‘in front of an entrance to a property’, or ‘anywhere that would prevent access for emergency services’.

Places you should NOT park

Van drivers facing parking crisis

There are a number of areas where you are definitely not allowed to park. These are marked by zig-zag, red or double yellow lines.

You should also avoid cycle lanes, marked taxi bays and close proximity to bus or tram stops, if the signs indicate as such. 

Parking near to school entrances is also not allowed, along with areas close to junctions, plus parking spaces for Blue Badge holders and motorcycles.

Driveway parking: the law

Resident parking and parking in front of your driveway

Where people are not allowed to park is in front of your driveway, provided, of course, that there is a dropped kerb. 

Dropped kerbs, be they for pedestrians or for drivers, are a no-go zone for parking. Your vehicle can be ticketed for even partially covering one. Parking close to a dropped kerb, however, even if it restricts access, is not illegal.

What also isn’t illegal, bizarrely, is parking on someone else’s driveway. It’s private property, and therefore a civil issue, rather than a criminal one. 

Not so civil

Resident parking and parking in front of your driveway

“In a bizarre way, the system seems to favour the offender over the victim in this case,” said Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA.

“Because the offence of trespass is a civil matter the police cannot get involved, and as the vehicle is on private land the council cannot help either. So the only options available to homeowners seeking to get back what is rightfully theirs, cost both time and money.”

Provided the car is taxed, insured, has an MOT and is in safe condition, this is an issue way down the priority list of the authorities. Thankfully, it’s not very common.

ALSO READ:

Revealed: the UK’s most obscure parking laws

How to appeal a parking ticket

The best new cars to buy in 2023

Related Articles

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

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Find a Car Review

Latest

How to protect your car with an OBD port locking device

We explain how to prevent your car being stolen by criminals targeting its On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port.

How to make a safe U-turn

A U-turn is a 180-degree turn in the road, so your car ends up facing in the opposite direction. Here is how to make the manoeuvre safely.

Playmobil creates a safari-ready classic Porsche 911

Off-road 'safari' conversions of the Porsche 911 are popular in the real world, so Playmobil has built a toy version.

New Taycan Turbo GT is Porsche’s most powerful road car ever

With a power output in four figures, the new flagship Taycan Turbo GT has already been breaking lap records.