Can I get a car towed for blocking my driveway UK?

Understanding the UK Laws Regarding Blocked Driveways If someone parks their car in a way that obstructs your access to or from your property, they can be held liable for causing an obstruction. This means that you have the right to take action and have the vehicle towed away at the owner's expense.

Is it legal to park in front of a driveway UK?

You'll often find dropped kerbs in front of driveways, to make it easier for cars to pull out of properties and join the road. So yes, according to the Highway Code, it's an offence to park across driveways, and it's illegal to park over dropped kerbs – even a little bit.

How do I stop people from parking in front of my driveway?

Who do I call if someone is blocking my driveway UK?

If your local council hasn't taken on CPE, you will need to contact your local police force. The police/council policy for dealing with such matters may vary between forces/councils. Some police forces may only attend if your car has been blocked in and you cannot get out.

What are your rights if someone blocks your driveway?

If someone parks on your driveway without permission, it counts as trespassing on private land. However, it is classified as a civil offence and is not technically illegal – meaning the police are unlikely to get involved.

How do I report a vehicle blocking my driveway?

Can you be fined for blocking someone's driveway?

Blocking a driveway

Parking over dropped kerbs is illegal and your local council has the power to give penalty charge notices (PCNs) to any vehicle owner who breaches this rule.

Is it illegal to block a driveway with a dropped kerb?

The short answer is no. It's illegal to park in front of a dropped kerb, whether it's your own or someone else's. Doing so can obstruct the entrance and exit to the property, making it difficult for the property owner to access their driveway or garage.

Is it a criminal Offence to block someone's driveway?

However, it is classified as a civil offence and is not technically illegal – meaning the police are unlikely to get involved. It's also not advisable to take matters into your own hands and physically do anything to remove the vehicle.

How do you deal with inconsiderate Neighbours parking?

Be polite and don't threaten them. Do not retaliate by blocking their drive, parking outside their property or in their space. The problems can usually be sorted out with a few carefully chosen polite words. If speaking politely does not resolve your parking issues then you can seek help via a mediation service.

How long does a car have to be parked before it can be towed UK?

There is no time limit on how long a car can park on the road as long as they are taxed, insured and not breaching any parking regulations. There is however one exception. If the vehicle is thought to have been abandoned, it can be reported to the police who will potentially remove it.

Is it illegal to park too close to someone's driveway?

Absolutely. Law enforcement officers can issue a parking ticket and/or have the car towed and impounded at the owner's expense. Even parking too close to a driveway is enough to get a ticket (but not a tow). In most places, you can't be within a few feet of one.

Can I have a car towed off my property UK?

You'll need the help of a solicitor to get permission from the civil court to identify the vehicle's legal owner. Following this, to remove the vehicle from your property, you'll need a judge to grant the order in court.

How do I stop Neighbours parking in front of my house?

To resolve this issue, the only thing you can do is to try to have a friendly word with your neighbour and explain to them why you'd prefer to park in front of your own house.

Is blocking someone's driveway illegal UK?

Blocking a driveway

Not only can it be highly irritating, but if someone is blocking your driveway by parking in front of a blocked kerb, this is also an offence. Parking over dropped kerbs is illegal and your local council has the power to give penalty charge notices (PCNs) to any vehicle owner who breaches this rule.

What to do if someone parks in front of your driveway UK?

Someone blocking your driveway

If you can find the owner of the vehicle, we'd first recommend asking them politely to move it. If you can't find them, try leaving a note on their windscreen. After all, they may not realise they have caused a problem. If this doesn't work, please contact your local council .

What happens if you park in front of a driveway?

That's trespassing on private property, which is a civil offence. This means the police may get involved, and may help you move the vehicle on. So the bad news is that there's not a lot you can do if a car parks across your driveway.

Can my Neighbour park on my dropped kerb?

By law you or your visitors are entitled to park on the carriageway in front of your dropped kerb (driveway) so long as no other parking controls are in place, you do not cause an obstruction, and the dropped kerb is not shared with another property.

Can my Neighbour stop me parking outside their house?

No Automatic Right to Park Outside Your Home

Basically, it's an unwritten 'rule' that people will generally tend to park outside their own home but it's important to note that no one has an automatic right to do so.

How do I stop my car from turning around my driveway UK?

The best way to prevent someone from turning around in your driveway is to install security cameras, restrict access, and post clear traffic signs indicating that no U-turns are allowed.

Can I clamp a car parked on my driveway?

It is illegal to clamp, block or tow away a car parked on private land or property unless you have lawful authority. Lawful authorities are only considered to be organisations such as the police, DVLA and local authorities. Lawful authorities have the power to clamp a car if the vehicle is improperly parked or untaxed.

Is it illegal to park opposite a dropped kerb?

Bottom line: You may park opposite a dropped kerb where it's sensible and safe to do so.

Can I damage a car parked on my property?

Police have advised in the past “Don't damage or clamp the vehicle or have it removed by a third party for destruction or storage without first seeking legal advice. “. The only legal way to resolve this issue would be to obtain an eviction notice from the courts however this might cost you a hefty amount of money.

Can I block my own dropped kerb?

Blocking a dropped kerb

Blocking or obstructing any dropped kerb is against the law, and our civil enforcement officers can issue a penalty. Once a penalty's been issued, the vehicle may be towed away. A vehicle doesn't have to be fully blocked to be committing a parking violation.

Can I park my car in my garden without a dropped kerb?

One of the main questions we are asked when designing driveways is whether or not you are able to have a driveway installed without a dropped kerb. The simple answer here is no. Legally, in order to use an area as a driveway, you need to have a dropped kerb on the pathway outside your home.

Is my drop kerb legal?

You'll need to obtain permission from your local Council as highway authority, assuming that the Council owns the road and footpath. If the road outside the property is a trunk road, a principal road or a classified road (class A, B or C), you'll also need planning permission.