Is It Illegal to Park on the Pavement?
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 4 months ago
5 min read
- Car ownership
FixMyCar discusses the law around pavement parking in the UK.
Parking spaces are often in short supply, especially in busy urban areas, making some motorists wonder whether they can park on the pavement. The question isn’t only whether it’s acceptable but also whether it’s legal. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Contents
Is it illegal to park on the pavement?
Should you park on the pavement?
Why is pavement parking regulated?
What is the fine for parking on the pavement?
When and how to appeal pavement parking regulations
In a nutshell: It is illegal to park on the pavement in London. The Highway Code advises against pavement parking in the rest of the country, but it isn’t illegal. However, you could receive a fine if your car is in a dangerous position or obstructing the road.
What counts as a pavement?
We all know what a pavement is. However, the word actually has two meanings. It can refer to any generic paved area or, more precisely, a raised path for pedestrians at the side of a road. This article uses the latter definition.
Is it illegal to park on the pavement?
Parking on the pavement is illegal in London. However, outside the capital, the answer isn’t so straightforward. Although there is no specific law about pavement parking in the rest of the country, it goes against the Highway Code, and in some instances, you can get a fine for doing it.
The Highway Code states that drivers “must NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it.”
The key words here are “must” and “should”. In London, drivers must not park on the pavement because there is legislation behind the rule that can be enforced with a fine. But in the rest of the country, drivers shouldn’t park on the pavement - this is advice rather than an enforceable law.
When you look at Rule 242, things get a little more complicated: “You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road.”
This rule means that if a police officer sees your car parked on the pavement and believes it to be in a dangerous position or causing an unnecessary obstruction of the road, you could be given a Fixed Penalty Notice.
Read about the most common driving offences and penalties.
Should you park on the pavement?
It's best to use common sense when deciding whether to park on the pavement outside of London. In most situations, we wouldn't recommend it.
However, suppose you are parking on a narrow road where you might obstruct other cars or emergency vehicles from passing you. In that case, it's sensible to park on the pavement partially - but only if there is enough room for wheelchair users and people with prams to use the pavement.
Why is pavement parking regulated?
There are three main reasons why parking on the pavement is regulated.
1. Pedestrian safety
Blocking the pavement with a car forces people to walk on the road and other unsafe areas, putting them at risk. Elderly and disabled people and young children are most at risk.
2. Protecting infrastructure
Pavements are designed for pedestrians, not heavy vehicles. Parking on them can cause damage, which puts walkers at risk and creates high maintenance costs.
3. Traffic flow
Parking on the pavement can cause traffic congestion if the road is also partially blocked, creating delays for other motorists. Regulating pavement parking allows authorities to prevent bottlenecks and create a more efficient traffic flow.
What is the fine for parking on the pavement?
In London, parking on the pavement or a grass verge, even if it’s just for a minute or two, could land you with a Fixed Penalty Notice and a fine of up to £130. The fine may be reduced to £60 or £80 if you pay within 14 days.
When and how to appeal pavement parking regulations
Before starting the appeals process, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the rules around parking on pavements in the UK.
When to appeal a fine for parking on the pavement in the UK
Reasons for filing an appeal could include:
The signage needs to be clearer/present.
The ticketing equipment was defective.
You parked on the pavement due to an emergency.
Steps to appeal a fine
Follow these steps if you decide to go ahead with an appeal.
Gather evidence. Use anything that can strengthen your case, such as photographs of obstructed signs.
Examine the fine notice. Check for any inconsistencies that could prove it was handed out in error.
Contact the relevant authority. Write to the council or enforcement agency who issued the fine, providing evidence for your appeal.
Follow official procedures. If your initial appeal fails, you might be able to follow an official appeals process with an independent adjudicator.
Is parking on the pavement outside your house allowed?
The pavement outside your house is on a public highway (unless you live on a private road), so you don’t have an exclusive right to park there.
If you’re disabled, you can request a dedicated parking bay outside your house from the council rather than parking on the pavement.
How to stop cars from parking on pavements
Inconsiderate pavement parking can be a nuisance, even if it isn’t strictly illegal outside London. Fortunately, there is something you can do about it.
Start by collecting evidence of antisocial pavement parking - photographs are generally the best evidence. Send the proof to your local council, who are in charge of handling parking issues. They can enact a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in your area, using tools like bollards, railings and double yellow lines to deter motorists from parking there.
However, in situations where these measures would obstruct other vehicles’ access, the council may be unable to do anything.
Another option is to report the issue on FixMyStreet, a user-friendly platform that allows you to report and track local issues. This can be an effective way to bring attention to pavement parking problems in your area.
Looking for affordable car repairs or maintenance? FixMyCar can help you find the right garage at the right price.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers in a language they understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.