Latest news with #CivilParkingEnforcement
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
What you should do if someone parks on your driveway - and options for towing
Although it may be difficult, property owners are usually encouraged to resolve these situations tactfully For homeowners constantly irritated by strangers using their driveway as an impromptu car park, the 'correct response' might seem a bit hazy. It raises the question: is this situation covered by the Highway Code, or should the police be called in? Recent changes to the Highway Code have introduced a 'hierarchy' of road users, placing more responsibility on drivers of larger vehicles to protect other, more vulnerable road users. Within its guidelines, Rules 239 to 252 outline the do's and don'ts regarding parking. Rule 243 is clear-cut, stating that drivers must not stop or park 'in front of an entrance to a property'. However, current laws don't specifically categorise parking on someone else's driveway without permission as a criminal offence, according to Lancs Live. As such, homeowners are advised to deal with these situations tactfully. This could involve politely asking the driver to move their vehicle or leaving a polite note on the windscreen if the owner can't be located straight away. Trespassing - which includes unauthorised parking on private property - is often considered a civil rather than a criminal issue. According to SomersetLive, this means the police only rarely get involved with vehicles parked on private driveways. However, local councils might intervene to have a vehicle removed if it seems to have been abandoned. Alternatively, if you come back to discover a car obstructing your driveway, this potentially breaks the law, and motorists could face penalties. Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) powers allow local councils to issue fines for vehicles that prevent someone from entering or leaving their property. Online resource Ask the Police provides further advice on this matter. Its specialists suggest: "If the vehicle is blocking access to your driveway you should first make enquiries with the neighbours to see if they know who the car belongs to, so they can move it." They also add: "In most areas local councils have now taken on responsibility for enforcing parking provisions under what is known as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE). Under CPE, it's an offence to park a vehicle that blocks a dropped kerb driveway." The process differs according to local council guidelines and might require reporting directly to the local authority or, where council-enforced CPE doesn't exist, contacting local police. It is noted that: "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." For additional details on parking regulations, you can visit Ask the Police here.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Is it an offence to park on someone's drive? Everything you need to know
Homeowners are often advised to solve these situations diplomatically - but this is not always possible For homeowners constantly irked by strangers using their driveway as an impromptu car park, the 'correct response' might seem a bit hazy. It raises the question: is this situation covered by the Highway Code, or should the police be called in? Recent changes to the Highway Code have introduced a pecking order of road users that places more responsibility on drivers of larger vehicles to protect other, more vulnerable road users. Within its guidelines, Rules 239 to 252 outline the do's and don'ts regarding parking. Rule 243 is crystal clear, stating that drivers must not stop or park 'in front of an entrance to a property'. However, current laws don't specifically label parking on someone else's driveway without permission as a criminal offence, according to Lancs Live. Therefore, homeowners are advised to handle these situations tactfully - perhaps by kindly asking the driver to move their vehicle or by leaving a polite note on the windscreen if the owner can't be located straight away. Trespassing, which includes parking on private property without authorisation, is often considered a civil rather than a criminal issue. According to SomersetLive, this means the police only rarely get involved with vehicles parked on private driveways. However, local councils have the power to remove a car if it appears to be abandoned. Conversely, if you come home to find a car blocking your driveway, this is actually considered a breach of the law, and drivers could face a penalty. Local authorities can issue fines for cars that obstruct someone's access in or out of their property, thanks to Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) powers. Online resource Ask the Police provides further advice on this matter. Its experts suggest: "If the vehicle is blocking access to your driveway you should first make enquiries with the neighbours to see if they know who the car belongs to, so they can move it." They also add: "In most areas local councils have now taken on responsibility for enforcing parking provisions under what is known as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE). Under CPE, it's an offence to park a vehicle that blocks a dropped kerb driveway." Furthermore, the procedure varies depending on the local council's policies and may require direct reporting to the council or, if there is no council-enforced CPE, contacting the local police. It is noted that: "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." For more information on parking rules, you can visit Ask the Police, here. 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. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice here
Wales Online
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
What the law says about parking on someone's drive - and what homeowners can do
What the law says about parking on someone's drive - and what homeowners can do While it may be challenging, property owners are often encouraged to resolve these situations diplomatically Is it a criminal offence, or isn't it? (Image: Patryk_Kosmider via Getty Images) For homeowners plagued by the recurring irritation of strangers using their driveway as an unofficial car park, the 'right response' may seem unclear. It begs the question: is this situation addressed by the Highway Code, or should police be involved? According to recent Highway Code rules, there is a 'hierarchy' of road users that assigns greater responsibility to drivers of larger vehicles to safeguard other, more vulnerable road users. Within its guidelines, Rules 239 to 252 detail the requirements and restrictions regarding parking. Rule 243 is unambiguous, stating that drivers must not stop or park 'in front of an entrance to a property'. Nevertheless, current legislation doesn't explicitly classify parking on someone else's driveway without permission as a criminal matter, according to Lancs Live. Property owners are, therefore, advised to handle these situations diplomatically. This may involve politely requesting the motorist to relocate their vehicle or placing a courteous message on the windscreen if the vehicle owner cannot be found immediately. Trespassing - which includes parking on private property without authorisation - quite often constitutes a civil rather than a criminal matter. According to SomersetLive, this means police rarely intervene with vehicles parked on private driveways. However, local authorities may step in to remove a car if it appears to be abandoned. On the flipside, if you return home to find a car blocking your driveway, this is actually considered a violation of the law, and drivers may risk a penalty. Fines for cars that get in the way of a driveway Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) powers mean local authorities can dish out fines for cars that get in the way of someone getting in or out. Online resource Ask the Police provides further advice on this matter. Its experts suggest: "If the vehicle is blocking access to your driveway you should first make enquiries with the neighbours to see if they know who the car belongs to, so they can move it." They also added: "In most areas local councils have now taken on responsibility for enforcing parking provisions under what is known as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE). Under CPE, it's an offence to park a vehicle that blocks a dropped kerb driveway." The procedure varies depending on the local council policies and may necessitate direct reporting to the local council or, in the absence of a council-enforced CPE, contacting the local police. It is noted that: "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." For more information on parking rules, you can visit Ask the Police, here. Article continues below What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below. Get all the hottest shopping deals, cash-saving tips and money news straight to your phone by joining our new WhatsApp Community - The Money Saving Club. Just click this link to join
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Neighbour parks van across drive if I pop out for 5 mins it's there'
A homeowner has taken to social media to ask for help after a neighbour constantly leaves his vehicle across the drive - and gets annoyed when he asks him to move A homeowner has shared their aggravation over a neighbour who stubbornly parks his van at the end of their driveway and shows irritation when asked to move it. Venting their exasperation on Reddit, the distressed resident wrote: "The first day we moved in, he was parked in our drive, we kindly asked him to move and thought that would be that. However since then, he often parks in front of the drive and on the pavement, restricting our access. "I've spoken to him several times in addition to his girlfriend/wife, he seemed annoyed at being asked and continues to do so. I've taken to parking my car on the road, however having popped out for 5 minutes just now he's come back and blocked me again. There's ample room for him to move back. "I've reported to Birmingham council 100s of times but obviously they've done nothing. I own my home but believe them to be renting. Should I contact their estate agent? Landlord? Or any other thing I could do to get them to stop blocking my access?". Suggestions flooded in for dealing with inconsiderate neighbours - one of the cheeky tips was an early wake-up call. A user admitted, "Wake him up at 3am because you need to go and get bread." Which got this reply: "This is absolutely the way. We used to live in a house that had a garage block, and most of the neighbours were rentals. Every time new people moved in they would block me in. I used to leave home at 5:30 to go to the gym. It only ever needed one early morning wake up call for them to get the message." Another shared their success story: "This works, can confirm. Got home at about 04:00 to find neighbour blocking my drive, had a trailer so could not park elsewhere. Leaned on his doorbell and woke the whole house, never did again." On the subject of taking it further, a Reddit user queried, "You contacted the police? This might count as antisocial behavior if its a constant issue." In terms of the law the Ask the Police Website, which is created by the Police National Legal Database), a national organisation managed by West Yorkshire Police, said the person could be breaking the law - if the local council has adopted the Civil Parking Enforcement ruiles. It said: "If the vehicle is blocking access to your driveway you should first make enquiries with the neighbours to see if they know who the car belongs to, so they can move it. In most areas local councils have now taken on responsibility for enforcing parking provisions under what is known as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE). Under CPE, it's an offence to park a vehicle that blocks a dropped kerb driveway. You can check if your local council has taken on CPE via the link below: "If your council has taken on CPE, you will usually need to report vehicles that are obstructing a dropped kerb directly to them – you can contact them via the link below: "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."
Wales Online
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
‘From the first day we moved in our neighbour parks across our drive and gets annoyed when we ask him to move'
'From the first day we moved in our neighbour parks across our drive and gets annoyed when we ask him to move' The homeowner asked for help in solving the problem saying he's tried parking there but if he pops out for '5 minutes' the van's back The van constantly parks at the end of the drive, blocking the homeowner in, he complained (Image: Reddit ) A homeowner has spoken of how a neighbour constantly parks his fan at the end of his drive - and gets annoyed when asked to move it. In a post asking for help, the person wondered if there was anything he could do about it - apart from parking his own car there. Taking to Reddit they said: 'The first day we moved in, he was parked in our drive, we kindly asked him to move and thought that would be that. However since then, he often parks in front of the drive and on the pavement restricting our access. 'I've spoken to him several times in addition to his girlfriend/wife, he seemed annoyed at being asked and continues to do so. I've taken to parking my car on the road, however having popped out for 5 minutes just now he's come back and blocked me again. There's ample room for him to move back. 'I've reported to Birmingham council 100's of times but obviously they've done nothing. I own my home but believe them to be renting. Should I contact their estate agent? Landlord? Or any other thing I could do to get them to stop blocking my access?' Users came back with suggestions - including waking them up early. One user said: 'Wake him up at 3am because you need to go & get bread.' This prompted the reply: 'This is absolutely the way. We used to live in a house that had a garage block, and most of the neighbours were rentals. Everytime new people moved in they would block me in. I used to leave home at 5:30 to go to the gym. It only ever needed one early morning wake up call for them to get the message.' Another added: 'This works, can confirm. Got home at about 04:00 to find neighbour blocking my drive, had a trailer so could not park elsewhere. Leaned on his doorbell and woke the whole house, never did again.' Article continues below One Reddit user asked: 'You contacted the police? This might count as antisocial behavior if its a constant issue.' In terms of the law the Ask the Police Website, which is created by the Police National Legal Database), a national organisation managed by West Yorkshire Police, said the person could be breaking the law - if the local council has adopted the Civil Parking Enforcement ruiles. It said: "If the vehicle is blocking access to your driveway you should first make enquiries with the neighbours to see if they know who the car belongs to, so they can move it. In most areas local councils have now taken on responsibility for enforcing parking provisions under what is known as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE). Under CPE, it's an offence to park a vehicle that blocks a dropped kerb driveway. You can check if your local council has taken on CPE via the link below: - CPE List "If your council has taken on CPE, you will usually need to report vehicles that are obstructing a dropped kerb directly to them – you can contact them via the link below: - Find your local council Article continues below "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."
