Parking on the pavement - is it illegal? The definitive answer

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced it’s considering bringing the rest of the country in line with the capital’s rules – which could land drivers with a £70 fine.

Here we look at the current laws and why it's not clear cut for drivers looking to catch a break in difficult areas to park.

Is it illegal to park on the pavement?

Parking on the pavement is not illegal outside of London. You can, however, still get a fine for doing so in some instances, which makes the law quite a grey area. 

Since 1974, Highway Code rule 244 has stated that drivers "MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it."

The key things to note here are the words must not and should not.

In London, you must not park on the pavement, the must indicating there is legislation behind this rule and you could receive a fine for breaking it.

However, outside of the capital or “elsewhere”, the Highway Code states drivers should not park on the pavement, meaning it is advisory and not, therefore, backed up by any legislation.

Rule 242 is where it gets a little less clear, stating: "You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road."

This is a must not, again, meaning if your car is reported or seen by a police officer and judged to be either in a dangerous position or causing an unnecessary obstruction of the road, you could receive a Fixed Penalty Notice.

What the RAC says:

Outside of London, we advise people to use common sense when faced with no other option but to park on the pavement.

If you are parking along a narrow road, where parking wholly on the road would stop other cars, and particularly emergency vehicles, from getting through, then it is a sensible option to park partially on a pavement, providing there are no parking restrictions and providing you are not blocking a wheelchair user or pram from using the pavement.

If there are restrictions, or your parking would cause wheelchair users or people with prams to have to walk into the road, then you should find somewhere else to park. 

MORE ADVICE: Is it illegal to park on double yellow lines?

Why is the rest of the country different to London?

A Private Members’ Bill which sought to make parking on the pavement illegal across the UK was previously introduced in parliament in 2015.

However, it didn’t make it past a second reading in the House of Commons after doubts were raised over where residents of narrow streets could park if there are no off-street spaces available.

Will the rules change soon?

Former Transport minister Jesse Norman announced in April 2018: “The department [DfT] is now undertaking a broader piece of work to gather evidence on the issue of pavement parking. We expect to be able to draw conclusions later this year.”

As of January 2024, only Edinburgh and London have a legal precedent where it is illegal to park on the pavement. 

Further announcements are expected on this in the near future.

However, in April 2019, after the Transport Committee launched an inquiry into pavement parking, they reported later that year that the government should allow local authorities to enforce against obstructive pavement parking, with a view to making such an offence subject to civil enforcement.

They also recommended that, in the long term, the government legislates for a nationwide prohibition on pavement parking across England, outside London, enforceable by local authorities.

So far, each of the home nations are at different stages of consultation and legislation.

In England, the most recent time the inquiry was discussed in Parliament was in October 2023. 

The Roads Minister at the time, Richard Holden announced: "It is one of the biggest responses we have had on any issue, with tens of thousands of responses, so it is only right that the Government take our time to ensure we get the position right. In the meantime, any local authority across the country can put in place a traffic regulation order and ensure those changes happen on a local level."

READ MORE: Traffic wardens - know your rights

Edinburgh parking fines

Outside of London and Edinburgh, we advise people to use common sense when faced with no other option but to park on the pavement.

If you are parking along a narrow road, where parking wholly on the road would stop other cars, and particularly emergency vehicles, from getting through, then it is a sensible option to park partially on a pavement, providing there are no parking restrictions and providing you are not blocking a wheelchair user or pram from using the pavement.

If there are restrictions, or your parking would cause wheelchair users or people with prams to have to walk into the road, then you should find somewhere else to park.

Should the rules change soon?

Nicholas Lyes from the RAC said: “There is widespread concern among drivers about other drivers blocking pavements in their neighbourhood, but generally people are split on how to deal with it.

“In a number of cases, drivers may be forced to park up a kerb so they are not restricting or blocking traffic flow on narrower roads.

"If the Government does look into this, it should be clear that pavement parking is only acceptable where drivers need to do it so not to block traffic flow on the road nor pavement access for vulnerable users and pedestrians. This is all about getting the right balance.”

READ MORE: 16 Highway Code rules most people ignore

What could the fine be?

The fine could be brought in line with the current charges in London, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

The fine for parking on the pavement varies across the capital. Transport for London currently operates 5% of the capital’s roads where motorists can pay a penalty of up to £130 (reduced by half if paid within 14 days) for parking on pavements.

Under the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act, motorists cannot park on urban roads with their car’s wheels on pavements, grass verges or any land between carriageways.

Any areas where it is permitted to do so will be clearly sign posted or feature white road markings to designate the areas.

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