What you need to know about parking on pavements

Be honest – how many times have you had to park on the pavement or mount your car on a kerb?

On small or busy streets, many of us might just settle for parking wherever we can – but is it actually legal to park on the pavement? Here’s what you need to know.

Legal or illegal?

It’s not strictly against the law to park on the pavement in the UK – unless you’re doing so in London.

According to Rule 22 of the Highway Code: “You must not park partially or wholly on the pavement in London and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it.”

“Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.”

If, however, you’re found parking on the pavement in the capital – which has been banned since the 1974 Greater London Council (General Powers) Act – you can get a fine of £70 (or 50% of the fine, if you pay within 14 days).

Call for clearer guidelines

If you need to park on the pavement in places outside of London, you can do so, but your car shouldn’t cause an obstruction.

This, however, is something the Local Government Association want to change by getting all councils to adopt the same rules as those in London.

Mark Tongue, Director of Select Car Leasing, agreed: “The guidelines are currently quite confusing for motorists. A pavement parking ban is 100 per cent needed nationwide – anything that puts pedestrians at an increased risk requires action.

“However, the information given so far is slightly confusing for drivers. At the moment, there’s no clear guidelines for those who park on the pavement due to having no room on their own drive.

“Clear guidance is required for drivers so they know the correct location to park in order to avoid a fine.”

The system is now currently under review by the Department of Transport.

Find out how much you’ll need to pay if you get a private parking fine.