UK drivers could face being forced to install bollards in driveways
Drivers could be forced to install bollards in their driveways in a bid to stop other motorists from parking there. Many householders feel powerless when it comes to controlling who parks on their driveways as according to the Highway Code this is not against the law.
According to the Workplace Depot, a strange legal loophole means the authorities are unable to punish a driver who parks on another person's driveway. In rule 243 of the Highway Code, 12 places where road users are unable to park are listed, however, it does not state parking on someone else's drive is against the law.
If a fellow motorist was to park on a drive, it's deemed as trespass and becomes a civil matter.
Now the team at The Workplace Depot are urging homeowners to take preventative measures to ensure this doesn't happen to them. They suggest installing driveway parking posts and bollards or an expandable barrier on the drive to restrict access.
A spokesperson for The Workplace Depot said: 'Nobody wants to come home and see a stranger's car on the drive but this bizarre legal loophole allows that to happen.
'For most of us it's unlikely to be a problem, but if you live in an area where parking can be difficult like close to a busy hospital or in a town or city centre, then there is technically nothing to stop a motorist parking on your drive. Because this isn't deemed as breaking the law and is seen as a civil matter, there's very little the authorities can do.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
'For a homeowner, the best route to take if you find a strange car on your drive is to calmly talk to the owner. If it becomes a recurrent problem, you may need to consider taking legal advice.' The spokesperson continued: 'If you're concerned, there are preventative measures you can take to restrict access to your drive.
'The easiest way is to install driveway parking posts. These will secure your parking area and restrict access to unauthorised vehicles. Other options include folding barriers which can be conveniently stored when they're not in use and car park security posts.
'The one thing you should never do is take matters into your own hands if you have a persistent problem - you could end up being the one prosecuted.'
It was reported earlier today motorists who park their vehicles on their own driveways could be fined for a breaking an unknown rule. Homeowners who park multiple cars outside of their home are most likely to fall foul of the little-known law.
According to experts motorists should always ensure no vehicles overhang their driveway and block part of the pavement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Drivers who like playing music in car warned of little-known Highway Code rule with £5k fine
Motorists could face a large fine and even lose your licence if you break a Highway Code rule about playing music in the car as it could interfere with your concentration Motorists are being warned over playing music in the car due to a lesser known Highway Code rule that could see them fined up to £5,000. Many people enjoy listening to music to pass the time while they are driving but the problem comes if it interferes with your concentration and drivers even risk losing their driving licence if caught breaking rule 148 of the Highway Code. This states motorists have to "avoid distractions when driving or riding" and this can affect habits behind the wheel such as listening to your favourite artist as well as eating and drinking. The government website says 'safe driving and riding needs concentration' and the Highway Code advises motorists not to play their music loudly. It says 'this may mask other sounds'. READ MORE: BT warning for anyone who still has UK landline in their home If distractions like loud music, eating, or drinking cause a driver to lose control or drive without due care, they could face penalties ranging from a fixed penalty notice to disqualification, and fines up to £5,000, reported MyLondon. The code also says that if you are trying to read a map or you start or adjust your music or the radio, this could also cause distractions. The list does not end there, as "arguing with your passengers or other road users" can also be a breach of the code. It states this should always be avoided as not only can it cause loud sounds, but you may take your eyes off the road, or get angry and not be alert to anything you need to react to such as roadworks, a red light or someone in the middle of the road. There is also mention of smoking as a habit that should also be avoided by some drivers. The code says: "You MUST NOT smoke in public transport vehicles or in vehicles used for work purposes in certain prescribed circumstances. Separate regulations apply to England, Wales and Scotland. "In England and Wales, the driver MUST NOT smoke or allow anyone to smoke in an enclosed private vehicle carrying someone under 18, including motor caravans. "In Scotland it is an offence for anyone aged 18 or over to smoke in a private motor vehicle (unless it is parked and being used as living accommodation) when there is someone under 18 in the vehicle and the vehicle is in a public place." Drivers are also being advised about other guidance they should be aware of. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has urged people with a car to set up an alert to avoid being fined and save their vehicle from being clamped. In a post on X, they stressed the importance of acting quickly, noting that the process only takes a few minutes. Their message read: "Set up your Driver and vehicles account on and you can choose to receive vehicle tax reminders by text or email. Do it today – it only takes 5 minutes." They are reminded that "it's illegal to drive your vehicle until you've taxed it." Meanwhile, they also warned on their website: "You'll be fined £80 if you do not tax your vehicle or tell DVLA that it's off the road. You'll also have to pay for the time it was not taxed. If you do not pay your fine on time your vehicle could be clamped or crushed, or your details passed to a debt collection agency."
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Driver's roundabout 'loophole' cuts traffic queues but people point out wrong issue
A driver has been slammed for using an "ingenious" method to completely cut out queues on a roundabout, with some people saying it's a "d**k move" while others call it "genius" A driver has been praised for their crafty "loophole" which helps them swerve lengthy queues at busy roundabouts, though it has sparked debate among some motorists, with some slamming it as selfish while others are kicking themselves for not thinking of it first. Navigating roundabouts can be a nightmare for both new and seasoned drivers alike, with hundreds of Highway Code regulations to remember. The code provides comprehensive guidance on tackling roundabouts, with all motorists familiar with the basics - including using mirror-signal-manoeuvre "at all stages" and giving way to traffic from the right "unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights" - though some drivers have mastered using lanes to their benefit. A technique being called "the slingshot" sees drivers wanting to exit left at the first exit instead positioning themselves in the right-hand lane before entering the roundabout, travelling all the way around it and coming back on themselves to take their desired exit, effectively skipping past the queue of vehicles waiting in the left-hand lane to turn left. Footage of someone executing this clever manoeuvre was posted online, with one driver sharing it on Reddit to question its legality. The Reddit user uploaded the clip and wrote: "Saw this on socials. He basically takes the first exit but goes all around to avoid the queue. Is it legal?" In the comments section, people voiced their opinions. One person said: "Absolutely legal." Another shared: "I'm more annoyed he's filmed it and shown everyone else." A third Reddit user said: "He is giving away all the best tricks!" Someone else commented: "Exactly my thinking, I assumed it was an obvious loophole that most folks would do, but nahhh, it's usually me skipping the 30 cars and doing ye olde slingshot." Someone else added: "Not only legal, but ingenious." Another shared: "I've been doing this for years, never understood why so many others just wait in line. The roundabout has a whole 2nd lane of capacity totally unused, why not use it. "I've seen in the thread that it's considered a d**k move, but I cannot fathom why it would be, it's other road users' choice to sit in line if they want to, this option is available to anyone and is totally within the rules. Using half the road's capacity is just silly." Someone else queried whether the "slingshot" was better or worse for traffic and road congestion. They said: "I've actually just thought about it again and realised that another side effect of many cars doing the slingshot would be that they would block traffic from entering the roundabout from other exits. "And fewer cars entering from other roads would presumably mean more traffic could enter from the road in question, so therefore it would indeed speed things up for everyone coming from that road, at the cost of queues starting to build up on other entrance roads. "But then what if everyone on those other roads started slingshotting as well? My head hurts." And another surmised: "More people doing this = more people on the roundabout = everyone waits longer for a gap so you can enter." Someone else added: "I do it if I can't be a**ed or in a rush. But if everyone did it the whole roundabout would be just as slow. "Now imagine you want to turn right but are stuck behind a queue of 10 cars trying to slingshot. Be happy people are happy to wait in line for you."
Wales Online
21 hours ago
- Wales Online
More than half fail their UK driving theory test - see if you can pass
More than half fail their UK driving theory test - see if you can pass We've made a mini version of the UK theory test for you to try at home Learner drivers in the UK have to revise and prepare for this important test (Image: sturti via Getty Images) Even experienced drivers might have forgotten some of the essential knowledge every motorist should know. Over time, you develop a general understanding of how the roads operate and what keeps everyone safe. However, at some point, most people with a driving licence would have had to take a pre-test before showing their skills behind the wheel. The first official UK Driving Theory Test was launched in July 1997 and has been a compulsory step for those wanting to get their full licence in the UK. A full driving theory test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, followed by the hazard perception assessment. To pass, candidates must correctly answer at least 43 questions within the 57-minute time limit. Questions typically concentrate on aspects of driving, such as road signs, the Highway Code, certain safety practices, and driving scenarios. Car drivers also need to understand how to safely interact with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists sharing the road. It was recently revealed that all drivers will soon need to learn how to operate a crucial piece of equipment to pass as well. The Government announced that from autumn 2025, theory tests will include enhanced first aid questions - including CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Millions take the theory test each year in the UK, but less than half manage to pass (Image: mrdoomits via Getty Images) Article continues below The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is the governmental organisation responsible for overseeing the theory test. Approximately 2.4 million theory exams are carried out each year, with a success rate of 45.7% recorded between July and September 2024, as reported by There is no limit on how many times people may sit the UK driving theory exam. If slots are immediately available, people must allow a minimum of three working days between re-attempts. Each test will cost a £23 fee. Candidates can prepare for the theory examination through textbooks and digital platforms, practising both the multiple-choice and hazard perception components. People in the UK need to pass the theory test before taking the practical driving exam (Image: monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images) We have put together a short test below to see if you would succeed in a theory test taken today. To simplify our version, we have reduced the question count by more than half and eliminated the ticking timer - no pressure. Our quiz has just 20 questions, so to achieve a similar pass rate to the actual exam, you will need 17 correct answers. Every question we have included comes from an official DVSA practice examination for car drivers. Article continues below The online platform confirms that these practice questions are "not used in the real test, but they're based on the same topics as the test". Best of luck! Let us know how you get on in the comments.
