The Independent’s journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
Whether it’s illegal to park on the pavement – including footways and grass verges – depends on where you are. In London and Scotland, it’s illegal, and you can receive a fine. In the rest of the UK, the rules are a bit less clear.
Below, we cover the definition of parking on the pavement, the different laws across the UK, the amount you could be fined and the potential future changes.
The definition of “parking on the pavement” is broader than you might assume. While having all four wheels of your car on the pavement fits the description, so does having two wheels up on the curb.
This is based on Rule 244 of the Highway Code, which uses the phrase “partially or wholly” when referring to pavement parking.
The exact legality of parking on the pavement in the UK differs across London, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
There’s no grey area when it comes to parking on the pavement in London. Rule 244 of the Highway Code states: “You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London.” This came into force as part of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1974.
There are a couple of exemptions to this rule:
Technically, it’s legal to park on the pavement across the rest of England, unless the local authority has specially banned it.
However, the second half of Rule 244 of the Highway Code states: “You should not [park on the pavement] unless signs permit it.” So even if it isn’t illegal, you’re still strongly advised not to park on the pavement.
This is complicated by Rule 242 of the Highway Code: “You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road.”
The use of “must not” instead of “should not” means that Rule 242 is enforced by law. Therefore, if a police officer decides that your car is causing an unnecessary obstruction of the road or is in a dangerous position, you could incur a fixed penalty notice.
While the Highway Code applies in Scotland, the legal position on pavement parking differs from England.
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 completely banned parking on the pavement, along with double parking and parking at dropped curbs, unless exempted by local authorities.
However, it wasn’t until December 2023 that local authorities had the power to start enforcing the law with fines.
The Highway Code applies in Wales, meaning the rules are the same as in England (outside of London). So, while parking on the pavement isn’t illegal (unless signage says otherwise), you are advised not to. You may also incur a fine if deemed to be parking in a dangerous position or unnecessarily blocking the road.
There’s no blanket ban on pavement parking in Northern Ireland. This is because, while Northern Ireland has its own Highway Code, it’s very similar to the one applicable to England, Scotland and Wales.
For example, Rule 244 of the Highway Code for Northern Ireland states: “DO NOT park partially or wholly on the footway or footpath unless signs permit it.”
Similarly, Rule 242 states: “You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road.”
While pavement parking isn’t banned, you can be issued a parking ticket (known as a penalty charge notice) if you park on:
How much you can be fined for parking on the pavement depends on the region you’re in and the exact offence in question:
| Region | Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| London | Wholly or partially parking on the pavement | Up to £180 penalty charge notice (halved if paid within 14 days) |
| Rest of England | Parking in a position that is dangerous or causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road | Fixed penalty notice (varies by council) |
| Scotland | Wholly or partially parking on the pavement | £100 fixed penalty notice (halved if paid within 14 days) |
| Wales | Parking in a position that is dangerous or causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road | Fixed penalty notice (varies by council) |
| Northern Ireland | Parking where restrictions apply to the road and footway (eg double yellow line) or urban clearway | Up to £90 penalty charge notice (halved if paid within 14 days) |
Following on from Scotland’s rule change in 2019, authorities across the rest of the UK are considering altering the law when it comes to parking on the pavement:
In 2020, the government ran a consultation called “Pavement parking: options for change”. This was last updated in June 2023.
The three options under discussion were:
The final decision is yet to be announced.
The Welsh government had aimed to introduce legislation to tackle pavement parking by the end of 2023. This was to follow an 18-month trial on City Road in Cardiff, where drivers could be fined up to £70 for parking on the pavement.
However, in April 2023, the nationwide review was postponed until 2024.
Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure published a paper detailing the following options for dealing with pavement parking:
There are several reasons why you shouldn’t park on the pavement, even if it isn’t illegal:
Unless you live on private land or a private road, the local rules around parking on the pavement will apply outside your home.
If you want to report someone illegally parking on the pavement, you can do so by contacting your local council.
When it comes to parking, the main factor that’ll affect your car insurance quote is where you keep your car. If you park on the pavement outside your house, that’ll be seen as more of a risk than if you park on a private driveway or in a garage and may increase the price of your premium.
