Parking guide: where you can and can't park

Finding a parking space can be hard enough, let alone worrying about all of the potential restrictions that come with it.

To avoid a parking nightmare, read our simple guide to where you can and can't park.

Of course, the most obvious place to park would be in a designated parking bay, either in a car park or at the side of the road.

These will be marked by a large white ‘P’ on a blue background, usually alongside the parking area and on directional signage.

Some parking bays will be free, while others will need to be paid for and some might have restrictions for what type of vehicle can park there.

There may also be restrictions on time limits or exclusions for those without permits - it's always worth checking the signs for more information before leaving your car.

Parking outside of a car park is sometimes the only resort, but can be a minefield if you don't know the rules - here we look at where you can and can't park and what time restrictions might apply.

Double yellow lines

A double yellow line – either painted on the road or on the kerb – means parking and waiting are not permitted at any time.

In some cases, there might be seasonal restrictions, which will be indicated by signs at the roadside.

Loading and unloading may be permitted, providing you can be seen doing so continuously - unless there are specific restrictions against it, indicated either by signage or yellow 'kerb dashes'.

Blue Badge holders can park on single or double yellow lines for a maximum of three hours, providing there isn't signage to say otherwise, it is safe to do so and it is not causing an obstruction for other drivers.

Parking on double yellow lines fine

A double yellow line parking fine is usually £70 and is reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days. This, however, may vary depending on the local authority.

Single yellow lines

A single yellow line – either painted on the road or on the kerb – means no waiting, parking, loading or unloading at the times shown on the accompanying sign.

The restrictions tend to be lifted during evenings and weekends, but check the sign before parking.

The same as on double yellow lines, Blue Badge holders can park on single lines for a maximum of three hours, providing there isn't signage to say otherwise, it is safe to do so and it is not causing an obstruction for other drivers.

Red Route stopping controls

In some cases, red lines are used instead of yellow lines.

In London, the double and single red lines used on Red Routes indicate that stopping to park, load, unload, or to board and alight from a vehicle is prohibited, except for licensed taxis and Blue Badge holders.

The times that the red line restrictions apply will be shown on nearby signs, but a double red line means no stopping at any time.

One some Red Routes, you may stop to park, load or unload in specially marked boxes at times and for purposes specified by nearby signs.

For example, a Red Route might allow parking between the hours of 7am and 7pm, for one hour, with no return within two hours.

Note: red and yellow lines only provide a guide to the restrictions and drivers are advised to refer to signs for more information.

Clearways

A red cross over a blue background is used to indicate a clearway, which means no stopping at any time – not even to pick up or set down passengers.

The sign is used to indicate a 24-hour clearway and might be incorporated into other signs with the words ‘No Stopping’.

There will be a sign at the start of the clearway, with a note about its length, i.e. ‘For 7 miles’. You won’t find special road markings on a clearway, but there should be smaller, repeater signs at one-mile intervals.

• Parking on the pavement - is it illegal?
• 11 of the most annoying driving habits
• Are you a middle lane hogger? Here are the facts

Loading bays

A loading bay will be marked by a dotted white line surrounding it, along with the words ‘Loading Only’ painted on the road.

These loading bays might be reserved for use by goods lorries or may be used by all vehicles, i.e. outside shops where heavy purchases have to be carried to a car. These bays should not be used before purchase, but only for the collection of pre-paid items.

Parking reserved for vehicles named

When parking is reserved for a specific type of vehicle or user, the bay will be marked by a dotted line and the name of the user painted on the road.

This might be a doctor, ambulance, disabled user or even a car club.

Increasingly, you may also find parking reserved for electric vehicles, which will be marked as ‘Electric Vehicles Only’ or a car and plug icon.

Yellow zig-zag lines

Yellow zig-zag lines outside schools, hospitals, or fire, police or ambulance stations indicate the length of road where stopping or waiting is strictly prohibited.

The Highway Code states that you should keep these areas clear of stationary vehicles, even if picking up or setting down children.

You may also find an upright sign, indicating a mandatory prohibition of stopping during the times shown.

White zig-zag lines

The approach to, and exit from, a pedestrian crossing is marked with white zig-zag lines.

Drivers must not park or overtake in this area, as parking would block the view for pedestrians and oncoming traffic.

In summary, you risk a fine and penalty points by parking on yellow or white zig-zag lines, but yellow zig-zags needs an accompanying sign to be legally enforceable.

White lines, on the other hand, are enforced by local authorities and the police, and they do not require a sign to be enforceable.

Parking outside someone’s house

It is perfectly legal to park outside someone’s house, unless the vehicle is blocking a driveway or a wheel is over a dropped kerb. Where no parking controls exist, drivers do not have an ‘automatic spot’ for parking outside their homes.

If your vehicle is on your driveway and another car is parked on a public highway and blocking your access out of your driveway, the council has the power to act. But if that other car is on a drive, it’s technically on private property – and the council has no authority to remove it.

Other situations in which parking isn’t permitted include streets governed by residents’ parking permits or any of the restrictions outlined above, i.e. double yellow lines.

Parking on the pavement

The Highway Code states that you must not park partially or wholly on the pavement in London and Scotland, and should not do elsewhere unless signs permit it.

Parking on a pavement can obstruct and inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, those with visual impairments, and people with prams and pushchairs.

The key here is ‘must not’ and ‘should not’.

In other words, offenders in London and Scotland are committing a punishable offence and are liable to receive a parking ticket.

Elsewhere, drivers aren’t necessarily committing an offence, but it is an offence to drive on the pavement.

This means the law is a little fuzzy, as outlined by the Ask The Police website. It says: “Despite the obvious inference that a parked vehicle has been driven on the pavement prior to being parked there, witnesses to the driving will probably be needed to secure a prosecution - this can be problematic.”

If parking on the pavement is permitted, it will be marked by a blue and white sign.

If the car is wholly on the pavement, then vehicles may be parked entirely on the verge or footway.

If the car is half on the pavement, vehicles may be parked partially on the verge or footway.

Outside of London and Scotland, we advise people to use common sense when faced with no other option but to park on the pavement.

If you are parking along a narrow road, where parking wholly on the road would stop other cars, and particularly emergency vehicles, from getting through, then it is a sensible option to park partially on a pavement, providing there are no parking restrictions and providing you are not blocking a wheelchair user or pram from using the pavement.

If there are restrictions, or your parking would cause wheelchair users or people with prams to have to walk into the road, then you should find somewhere else to park.

Parking on the road - what the Highway Code says

The Highway Code isn't the law, but many of its rules are in fact legal requirements under the Roads Traffic Act, which you can be prosecuted for contravening.

You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence, disqualified from driving, or even sent to prison.

Here's what the Highway Code says for parking on the road:

• Do not park facing against the traffic flow
• Stop as close as possible to the roadside
• Do not park too close to a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge
• The engine, headlights and fog lights must be switched off
• The handbrake must be applied before leaving the car
• You must look out for other road users when you open your door
• Passengers should exit the vehicle on the side next to the kerb
• Valuables should be out of sight and the car locked

Parking lights must be used on a road or layby on a highway with a speed limit higher than 30mph.

Check your vehicle’s handbook to find out how to operate them: often, they are engaged by clicking the indicator stalk either left or right as you leave the car, but some models have dedicated parking light buttons.

Parking zones

The British Parking Association (BPA) outlines four different types of parking zones in the UK, namely:

Look out for zones described differently, for example, ‘Meter Zone’, ‘Restricted Zone’ or ‘Pay & Display Zone’.

As a broader point, look out for seasonal variations, where restrictions might be lifted at certain times of the year.

This is especially true in tourist areas, where parking restrictions might not be in operation during the winter months.

Busy shopping areas can sometimes lift restrictions around Christmas and on Sundays: it pays to check.

MORE ADVICE: Motorway cameras - which ones can catch you out

In addition to the points above, The Highway Code tells us you must not stop or park in the following locations, except when forced to do so by stationary traffic:

1. Near a school entrance (see specific section above)
2. Anywhere that would prevent access for emergency vehicles
3. On a bus or tram stop, or a taxi rank
4. On the approach to a level crossing
5. Opposite or within 32 feet of a junction, except in an authorised parking bay
6. Near the brow of a hill or humpback bridge
7. Opposite a traffic island or another parked vehicle (if it causes an obstruction)
8. Where you would force another vehicle to enter a tram lane
9. Where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair and mobility vehicle users
10. In front of an entrance to a property
11. On a bend
12. Where you would obstruct a cycle lane
13. A tram or cycle lane during its period of operation
14. A cycle track
15. A pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by the zig-zag lines
16. On the carriageway or the hard shoulder of a motorway (except in an emergency)
17. Taxi bays (as directed by the upright signs and road markings)
18. A road marked with central double white lines, even if a broken white line is on your side of the road, except for dropping off, picking up, loading or unloading

The Traffic Management Act 2004 allows local authorities to control parking enforcement on yellow lines, resident parking, public car parks and on-street parking.

A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) might be issued and enforced through the civil justice system, rather than the criminal justice system.

A fine may be either £70 or £50, depending on the impact of the offence.

For example, parking on a double yellow line will be at the higher rate of £70, whereas if a pay and display ticket has expired, the lower rate of £50 will apply.

Payment received within 14 days gets a discount of 50%.

Drivers who persistently ignore PCNs risk having their vehicle clamped and towed away, at which point the charges go up.

If you receive a parking ticket for parking on private land - read our Parking Charge Notice guide.

For more useful content like this sign up to our weekly newsletter

Want to protect yourself from any losses following an accident? Get legal expenses insurance from just £15 a year with RAC Legal Care Plus.

• RAC Temporary Car Insurance from 1 hour to 30 days
• RAC Learner Driver Insurance from 1 day to 5 months