Getting fined for parking somewhere because you are unaware of the local rules is one of the most frustrating things a driver can experience. However, it can happen to any of us. Our friend recently received a parking ticket for parking on the pavement. However, he was wondering whether this fine was legitimate. So he asked us: Is it illegal to park on the pavement in the UK?
Parking on the pavement is only illegal in London. Outside of the capital city, it is not illegal to park on the pavement. Therefore, you will only receive a fine when parking on the pavement in London. It is simply not against the law in the rest of the country.
Do you also find these parking restrictions, including their exceptions, quite confusing? Then you are not alone. But no worries, we are here to help you out. This article will tell you everything you need to know about parking on the pavement in the UK. We do not doubt that this blog will help you prevent fines in the future. So, let’s get started!
Is it Against the Law to Park on the Pavement in the UK?
Since 1974, it has been against the law to park on the pavement in London. However, other cities did not make parking on the pavement illegal. Therefore, you are not in violation of the law when parking on the pavement outside London. Just be on guard for possible exceptions, such as yellow lines.
Although parking on the pavement is not against the law in most areas, it is not recommended as it may form an obstruction. Furthermore, when a police officer judges your parking on the pavement to be dangerous, you might receive a fine after all.
To avoid any risk, we advise you to park in the designated parking spaces in the neighbourhood. This way, you won’t bother anyone, and you don’t risk a fine of any sort.
Is It Illegal to Park on the Pavement Outside Your House?
Like most homeowners, you probably wish to park your car as close to your house as possible. Perhaps you own a private driveway where you can park your vehicle, but what if you don’t? Is it illegal to park on the pavement outside your house?
It changes from location to location. Do you live in London? Then it is illegal to park on the pavement. Do you live outside of the capital city? In that case, it is not illegal to park on the pavement outside your house. However, exceptions such as yellow lines might apply.
Is there a single or double yellow line outside your house? In that case, it might be illegal to park on the pavement outside your home. Therefore, always make sure there are no additional parking restrictions before you park on the pavement.
Do you have another option besides parking on the pavement? We highly advise you to take it, as parking on the pavement might form an obstruction for others. It is best to prevent parking on the pavement for everyone’s safety.
Is it against the law to drive on the pavement?
Unlike parking on the pavement, driving on the pavement is not allowed in any part of the UK. It is simply against the law to go with your car or motorcycle on any part of the pavement. The reason is pretty straightforward. Driving on the pavement might result in dangerous situations. After all, the pavement is designed for pedestrians, not for vehicles. Therefore, it is not allowed to drive on the pavement.
Besides that, it is not permitted to drive on the pavement. It is also not great for your car. All the high bumps going up and down the pavement might cause damage to your vehicle. You want to prevent this at all costs, don’t you?
Perhaps you are wondering whether you can receive a fine if you drive on the pavement. You will find out later in this article, so read on!
What does the Highway Code say about parking on the pavement?
Although parking on the pavement is only permitted outside London, you might wonder about safety. It might be tolerated, but is it safe to park on the pavement? It might be good to look at the Highway Code to answer this question. What does the Highway Code say about parking on the pavement?
As parking on the pavement in any part of the country might obstruct pedestrians, people with visual impairments and people in wheelchairs, the Highway Code tells drivers to not park on the pavement in any area. Therefore, we advise you not to park on the pavement if not absolutely necessary.
What is the Highway Code?
The Highway Code is considered essential reading for all road users. Everyone should read this essential guide whether you are a pedestrian, car driver, horse rider, or cyclist; optimal safety for everyone is the end goal.
The Highway Code applies to all of the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland and Wales. It is highly recommended to follow the guidelines of the Highway Code, as they are created to promote safety on the road and improve an efficient transport system. The Highway Code is updated regularly and is always up to date with the latest traffic rules.
If, for some reason, you decide to park on the pavement anyway, can you get fined? Let’s have a look at whether or not you can receive a fine for parking on the pavement in the UK.
Can you get Fined for parking on the pavement UK?
Parking on the pavement is only illegal in the city of London. If you park on the pavement in London, you risk a fine. You might face a £70 fine when the parking attendants spot your vehicle. In other parts of the UK, you won’t receive a fine.
When parking on the pavement in London, you are simply violating the law. Something you obviously want to prevent! Parking on the pavement in other parts of the country is not illegal. However, driving on the pavement is! You will get fined for driving on the pavement in any area. Are you parked in a way that is considered dangerous by a police officer? In that case, you can risk a fine for obstructing the road irresponsibly.
As mentioned before, some exceptions might apply when it comes to parking on the pavement. For example, is there a double yellow line on the side of the road? In that case, you are not allowed to park on the pavement next to it. If you do, you risk a fine, even if you are not in London.
Do you wish to learn more about yellow lines in the UK? Check out the blog we wrote about it. Here you will find everything you need to know about parking restrictions on yellow lines in the United Kingdom.
Will it be Illegal to Park on the Pavement in the Future?
As we know that parking on the pavement can form an obstruction and create dangerous situations, you might wonder whether it will be illegal to park on the pavement in other parts of the country. Are there any plans to make it illegal to park on the pavement in the entire UK?
Parking on the pavement is a major concern for the general public. There are rumours that the government and various councils are considering putting a ban on parking on pavements. However, up until now, it is only an idea. There are no laws to make parking illegal yet.
Although parking on the pavement is not illegal outside of London yet, various other parking restrictions apply throughout the country. Therefore, always make sure to know which rules apply in the area you want to park. This will help you prevent an unnecessary fine.
Related Questions
1. Is it illegal to park on a kerb UK? Parking on a kerb is only illegal in London. In the rest of the country, parking on a kerb is not officially illegal. However, parking on the pavement is not recommended as it may obstruct pedestrians. Also, some parking restrictions, such as yellow lines, might apply.
2. Do you own the pavement outside your house? No, you do not own this piece of land. When you buy a property, pavements and grass verges do not belong to you. It is considered communal land of the council, as they are responsible for maintenance.
