Highway Code: Waiting and Parking Rules

This excerpt from the GOV.UK website's Highway Code provides guidance and regulations regarding waiting and parking rules in the UK. It covers general rules for where and when drivers are prohibited from parking, such as on double yellow lines or school entrance markings. The text also outlines safe parking practices when stopping roadside, including advice on engine shutdown, handbrake use, and door opening techniques to prevent injury. Furthermore, it details specific restrictions for different areas like motorways, pedestrian crossings, and bicycle lanes, as well as regulations for controlled parking zones, goods vehicles, and loading/unloading. Finally, the source addresses parking at night, including lighting requirements and specific advice for parking on hills, and briefly mentions the role of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement.

​Parking and Waiting Regulations: An FAQWhat are the basic rules regarding waiting and parking on yellow lines?You are strictly prohibited from waiting or parking on single yellow lines during the hours specified on nearby time plates or zone entry signs in Controlled Parking Zones. Double yellow lines indicate a prohibition of waiting at any time, regardless of whether signs are present. Additionally, you must not wait, park, or stop to pick up or drop off passengers on school entrance markings when upright signs indicate a prohibition of stopping.
When stopping on the roadside, what essential actions and precautions should be taken?When stopping on the roadside, you should park as close to the side as possible, avoid facing against the traffic flow, and leave ample space if near a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge. You MUST switch off your engine, headlights, and fog lights and apply the handbrake before exiting the vehicle. Before opening your door, you MUST check thoroughly for cyclists or other traffic using mirrors and by looking around. A recommended safety measure is to use the hand opposite to the door you are opening (e.g., left hand for a right-side door) as this naturally encourages you to look over your shoulder. For passenger safety, particularly children, they should ideally exit on the kerb side. Always secure your vehicle by locking it and putting valuables out of sight.
Where is parking or stopping explicitly prohibited?Stopping or parking is strictly prohibited in several locations including: the carriageway, emergency area, or hard shoulder of a motorway (except in emergencies); on pedestrian crossings and their zig-zag lines; clearways; taxi bays; urban clearways during operational hours (except for picking up/setting down passengers); roads with double white lines (even with a broken line on your side, except for picking up/setting down passengers or loading/unloading); tram or cycle lanes during their operation; cycle tracks; and red lines on 'red routes' unless indicated otherwise.
Are there restrictions on where I can park based on the type of parking space or users?Yes, you are prohibited from parking in spaces specifically reserved for certain users unless you are entitled to use them. This includes parking spaces for Blue Badge holders, residents, or motorcycles.
What general situations should be avoided when deciding where to stop or park, even if not explicitly signed?You should generally avoid stopping or parking near school entrances, anywhere that obstructs access for Emergency Services, at or near bus/tram stops or taxi ranks, on the approach to level/tramway crossings, opposite or within 10 metres of a junction (unless in an authorised space), near the brow of a hill or hump bridge, opposite a traffic island, opposite another parked vehicle if it causes an obstruction, where you would force other traffic into a tram lane, where the kerb is lowered for accessibility, in front of a property entrance, on a bend, or where you obstruct cyclists' use of facilities, unless forced to do so by stationary traffic. In Scotland, double parking is prohibited, as is parking where the kerb is lowered for pedestrians or cyclists, with limited exceptions.
What are the specific rules for parking partially or wholly on the pavement?Parking partially or wholly on the pavement is prohibited in London and Scotland, with limited exceptions. In other areas, you should not park on the pavement unless signs specifically permit it. Parking on the pavement is discouraged as it can significantly inconvenience pedestrians, particularly those using wheelchairs, with visual impairments, or with prams.
Are there any special rules regarding the parking of goods vehicles and loading/unloading?Goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight over 7.5 tonnes (including trailers) MUST NOT be parked on a verge, pavement, or land between carriageways without police permission, unless essential for unattended loading/unloading. When loading or unloading, avoid areas with yellow kerb markings and upright signs indicating restrictions. Red routes often have specially marked and signed bays for permitted loading and unloading.
What are the key considerations when parking at night?At night, you MUST NOT park on a road facing against the direction of traffic flow unless in a designated parking space. Vehicles parked on roads or lay-bys with speed limits over 30 mph MUST display parking lights. On roads or lay-bys with speed limits of 30 mph or less, cars, goods vehicles under 2500 kg, invalid carriages, motorcycles, and pedal cycles can be parked without lights if they are at least 10 metres from a junction, close to the kerb, and facing the traffic flow, or in a recognised parking place. Other vehicles, trailers, and those with projecting loads MUST always display lights when left on a road at night. Parking in fog is particularly hazardous; if unavoidable, leave parking or sidelights on.