Van Driver Toolkit – Safe Parking
Did you know?
- Drivers face a non-endorsable fixed penalty of £50–£100 for causing an unnecessary obstruction by parking opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction.
- The average motorist in the UK spends nearly 4 days every year looking for parking spaces.
- Parking lights must be used during the night on a road or layby on a highway with a speed limit higher than 30mph.
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.
A double yellow line – either painted on the road or on the kerb – means parking and waiting are not permitted at any time.
Loading bays and parking spaces should not be confused. A loading bay will be marked by a dotted white line surrounding it, along with the words ‘Loading Only’ painted on the road.
Drivers could get penalty points on their licence for leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position.
Best Practice Tips
- Do not park facing against the traffic flow.
- Do not park too close to a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge.
- Switch engine, headlights, and fog lights off.
- Rule 248 of the Highway Code states: “You must not park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.”
- Failure to comply with this rule may be used as evidence in court proceedings under traffic acts to establish liability.
The Traffic Management Act 2004 allows local authorities to control parking enforcement on yellow lines, resident parking, public car parks and on-street parking.
In some cases, single red lines are used instead of yellow lines. 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.
Drivers risk a fine and penalty points by parking on yellow or white zig-zag lines. 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.
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.
Avoid parking on the pavement as it causes an obstruction and is antisocial for pedestrians. Parking on the pavement is illegal in London. Driving on the pavement is an offence.
Provider: Driving for Better Business, National Highways
Resource Type: Web link
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