Motorists often park alongside the kerb when returning home or visiting others. While staying close to the kerb seems straightforward, specific guidelines exist to ensure safety and compliance. The Highway Code (Rules 238-252) requires vehicles to park parallel to the road and as near to the kerb as possible.
Recommended Distance from the Kerb
Guidance recommends parking no more than 50 cm from the kerb line to avoid obstructing traffic flow. Positioning the vehicle too far into the road creates hazards for other drivers. Experts emphasize parking as close as possible to minimize risks.
Parking Near Dropped Kerbs
Parking in front of a dropped kerb counts as an obstruction and attracts fines. These pavement breaks allow vehicles to access driveways for homes, businesses, and emergency services.
Prohibited Parking Locations
Rule 240 of the Highway Code prohibits stopping or parking on:
- the carriageway, emergency area, or hard shoulder of a motorway, except in an emergency
- a road with double white lines, even if a broken white line is on your side, except to pick up or set down passengers or load/unload goods
- a pedestrian crossing, including zig-zag areas
- a clearway
- a tram or cycle lane during operation
- taxi bays marked by signs
- an urban clearway during operating hours, except for picking up or setting down passengers
- a cycle track
- red lines on designated red routes, unless signs permit otherwise
Vehicles may enter a bus lane to stop, load, or unload if not prohibited.
