Parking Regulations
Parking it some towns can be a nightmare at the best of times with
hot-headed traffic wardens going for records and more double yellow
lines than you can shake a parking ticket at! Knowing where you
can park can save you time and money so heres our guide to what
all those lines really mean, where you can and cannot park and how
long you can stay.
Motorists parking their cars are not the only ones who must obey
the law and regulations. Councils can only make parking regulations
(known as “Traffic Regulation Orders” or “Traffic
Management Orders”) and enforce parking contraventions in
accordance with the law. For example, councils must comply with
regulations that say how parking controls are signed.
Under
the decriminalised scheme brought in by the Road Traffic Act 1991,
when a vehicle is, for example, parked on a yellow line during
controlled hours, it is said to be parked ‘in contravention
of the regulations’. Thus there are no offences, merely
contraventions.
The
National Parking Adjudication Service is an independent tribunal
where impartial lawyers consider appeals by motorists and vehicle
owners whose vehicles have been issued with Penalty Charge Notices
(or have been removed or clamped) by councils in England and Wales
enforcing parking under the Road Traffic Act 1991.
Click here for a list of all the parking contraventions for which
a Penalty Charge Notice might be issued
Avoid Parking tickets
Click here for some helpful
information about avoiding parking tickets
Controlled
parking Zones
What are controlled parking zones and where are
they?
Click here for more information about cpz's
Nuisance
Parking Offences
Changes to the laws regarding nuisance parking
Parking Permits
Click
here for more information about parking permits
Wheel Clamping
Motor
Vehicles - Wheel Clamping of Motor Vehicles on Private Land
Click here for more information about wheelclamping
Handling Bailiffs
Click
here for more information about handling bailiffs, what they can
and cannot do
Voluntary Code of Practice for Private Car Parking Enforcement
Click
here for more information about the DVLA's voluntary Code of practice
for Private Car parking enforcemant
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Click
here to find your nearest C.A.B |
PCN
Contravention Codes – On Street Parking
CODE - DESCRIPTION
01 Parking
in a restricted street during prescribed hours
02 Parking or loading/unloading
in a restricted street where waiting and loading/unloading restrictions
are in force
04 Parking in a meter bay
when penalty time is indicated
05 Parking after the expiry
of paid for time at a pay & display** bay
06 Parking without clearly
displaying a valid pay & display ticket**
07 Parking with payment made
to extend the stay beyond initial time (‘meter feeding’)
08 Parking at an out-of-order
meter during controlled hours
09 Parking displaying multiple
pay & display tickets where prohibited
10 Parking without clearly displaying
two**** valid pay and display tickets when required.
15 Parking in a residents’
parking space without clearly displaying a valid residents’ parking
permit
16 Parking in a permit space
without displaying a valid permit
20 Parking in a loading gap
marked by a yellow line
21 Parking in a suspended
bay/space or part of bay/space
22 Re-parking in the same
parking place within one hour* of leaving
23 Parking in a parking place
or area not designated for that class of vehicle
24 Not parking correctly within
the markings of the bay or space
25 Parking in a loading place
during restricted hours without loading
26 (London only) Vehicle parking
more than 50 cm from the kerb and not within a designated parking
place
27 (London only) Parking adjacent
to a dropped footway
30 Parking for longer than
permitted
31 (London only) Entering
and stopping in a box junction when prohibited
32 (London only) Failing to
drive in the direction shown by the arrow on a blue sign
33 (London only) Using a route
restricted to certain vehicles
34 (London only) Vehicle seen
contravening bus lane regulations
35 Parked in a disc parking
place without clearly displaying a valid disc
36 Parking in a disc parking
place for longer than permitted
37 (London only) Failing to
comply with a give way to oncoming vehicles sign
40 Parking in a designated
disabled person’s parking place without clearly displaying a valid
disabled person’s badge.
41 Parking in a parking place
designated for diplomatic vehicles
42 Parking in a parking place
designated for police vehicles
45 Parking on a taxi rank
46 Parking on a clearway where
stopping is prohibited
47 Parking on a restricted
bus stop/stand
48 Stopped in a restricted
area outside a school***
49 Parking wholly or partly
on a cycle track
50 (London only) Failing to
comply with a sign indicating a prohibited turn
51 (London only) Failing to
comply with a no entry sign
52 (London only) Failing to
comply with a sign indicating a prohibition on certain types of
vehicle
53 (London only) Failing to
comply with a sign indicating a restriction on vehicles entering
a pedestrian zone
54 (London only) Failing to
comply with a sign indicating a restriction on vehicles entering
and waiting in a pedestrian zone
55 A commercial vehicle parked
in a restricted street in contravention of the Overnight Waiting
Ban
56 Parked in contravention
of a commercial vehicle waiting restriction
57 Parking in contravention
of a coach ban
58 (London only) Using a vehicle
on a restricted street during prescribed hours without a valid
permit
59 (London only) Using a vehicle
on a restricted street during prescribed hours in breach of permit
conditions
61 A heavy commercial vehicle
wholly or partly parked on a footway, verge or land between two
carriageways
62 Parking with one or more
wheels on any part of an urban road other than a carriageway (footway
parking)
63 Parking with engine running
where prohibited
99 (London only) Stopped on
a pedestrian crossing and/or crossing area marked by zig-zags
70 Parking in a loading area
during restricted hours without reasonable excuse
77 - - - RESERVED FOR DVLA
USE - - -
80 Parking for longer than
the maximum period permitted
81 Parking in a restricted
area in a car park
82 Parking after the expiry
of time paid for in a pay & display** car park
83 Parking in a pay & display**
car park without clearly displaying a valid pay & display ticket**
or parking clock
84 Parking with additional
payment made to extend the stay beyond time first purchased
85 Parking in a permit bay
without clearly displaying a valid permit
86 Parking beyond the bay
markings
87 Parking in a disabled person’s
parking space without clearly displaying a valid disabled person’s
badge
88 - - - DELETED - - -
89 Vehicle parking exceeds
maximum weight and/or height permitted in the area
90 Re-parking within one hour*
of leaving a bay or space in a car park
91 Parking in an area not
designated for that class of vehicle
92 Parking causing an obstruction
93 Parking in car park when
closed
94 Parking in a pay and display
car park without clearly displaying two****valid pay and display
tickets when required
* Or other specified time
** Or voucher
*** Sometimes applies during term time only
**** Or other number
Nuisance
Parking Offences
Guidance on Section 3 to 5 - Nuisance Parking
Note: For the purpose of this guidance, the term 'nuisance
parking' covers only those vehicles involved in the offences described
in Sections 3 and 4 and is not intended to cover other parking
infringements.
Why are these changes being introduced?
Some garages and businesses place cars for sale, for an extended
period, on the street. This can cause a significant nuisance to
local residents and takes up valuable car parking spaces. The
same is true with vehicles that are repaired on the street, which
can also look unsightly, can lead to damage of the local environment
(for example when oil is spilled or leaked) and may also present
a danger to passers by.
Who are the new offences targeted at?
The offence of selling vehicles on the road is intended to target
those people who run a business selling motor vehicles and use
the road as a mock showroom. This behaviour is unfair to local
residents who are thereby deprived of using the road themselves
to park vehicles and go about their daily lives. It is not intended
to target individual private sellers of single vehicles, but the
nuisance that is caused by the presence of numbers of vehicles
being offered for sale by the same person or business. This is
why the offence may only be committed where there are two or more
vehicles being offered for sale. It is recognised that a private
individual may at one time or another have more than one car to
sell and decide to offer them by parking them close together on
a road, but it is anticipated that this will only happen on rare
occasions.
The offence of repairing a vehicle is also aimed primarily at
those that act irresponsibly as part of a business and which are
attempting to use the road as a mock workshop. It is not intended
to target private individuals who are carrying out minor work
to their vehicles (unless the repairs cause annoyance to persons
in the vicinity), or those who carry out necessary work to vehicles
by the side of the road in order to get them moving again after
a breakdown or accident (such as breakdown organisations and mobile
mechanics), provided the work is completed within 72 hours.
Note: These are new national offences and as such, many
businesses and residents will not be aware of the provisions.
Local authorities are encouraged to communicate the details of
the offences within their areas before taking any enforcement
action.
Fixed penalty notices
The Act also provides, in sections 6 to 9, for fixed penalties
for these new offences. These sections will be brought into force
by order of the Secretary of State. These provisions are similar
to a number other provisions on fixed penalties in the Act, and
it is intended to bring all these into force at the same time.
In the meantime, offences under sections 3 and 4 will need to
be prosecuted in the usual way through the courts.
Detailed guidance
This part of the guidance gives a commentary on each section and
sub section.
Section 3 - Exposing vehicles for sale on a road
Section 3 (1) sets out the particulars of the offence:
A person commits an offence if:
a) he leaves two or more motor vehicles parked within 500m of
each other on a road or roads where they are exposed or advertised
for sale, or
b) he causes two or more vehicles so to be left.
Section 3 (2) sets out the defence:
A person is not to be convicted of an offence under subsection
(1) if he proves to the satisfaction of the court that he was
not acting for the purposes of a business of selling motor vehicles.
Section 3 (3) sets out the penalty:
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on
summary conviction to a fine not extending level 4 (£2,500) on
the standard scale.
Section 3 (4) sets out the definitions of 'motor vehicle'
and 'road' used in Section 3:
The definition of "road" is defined in section 142 of the Road
Traffic Regulation Act 1984:
'any length of highway or of any other road to which the public
has access.'
Whether a piece of land is a road or not is a matter of fact.
The main feature of a road is that the general public has a right
to use it as a means of getting from A to B. The definition includes
all highways (all land to which the public has a right to pass
along for the purpose of legitimate travelling and includes both
the carriageway and the footpath) and also access roads through
estates that are owned by organisations such as Housing Associations
or by the residents who live there. A car park for example would
not normally come within the definition of a road as its function
is to enable people to leave their vehicles.
The definition of 'motor vehicle' is the same as used in the
Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978:
'a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use
on roads, whether or not it is a fit state for such use, and includes
any trailer intended or adapted for use as an attachment to such
a vehicle, any chassis or body, with or without wheels, appearing
to have formed part of such a vehicle or trailer and anything
attached to such a vehicle or trailer '
This definition covers cars, motorbikes, the chassis of a car
or motorbike, a trailer and a caravan.
Section 4 - Repairing vehicles on a road
Section 4 (1) sets out the offence:
A person who carries out restricted works on a motor vehicle on
a road is guilty of an offence.
Section 4 (2) defines the term 'restricted works' used in subsection
(1):
"restricted works" -
'works for the repair, maintenance, servicing, improvement or
dismantling of a motor vehicle or any part of or accessory to
a motor vehicle'
and
'works for the installation, replacement or renewal of any such
part or accessory.'
Section 4 (3) sets out the circumstances in which a person is
not to be convicted of an offence:
A person is not to be convicted of an offence under section 4
in relation to any works if he proves to the satisfaction of the
court that the works were not carried out: c) in the course of,
or for the purpose of, a business of carrying out restricted works;
or
d) for gain or reward.
Section 4 (4) sets out circumstances in which the defence set
out in subsection (3) does not apply:
The defence does not apply where the carrying out of works gives
reasonable cause for annoyance to persons in the vicinity.
There is no legal definition of 'reasonable cause for annoyance'
and interpretation of this provision will be for the courts. However,
the concept of 'reasonableness' is one that will be familiar to
local authorities.
Section 4 (5) sets out an additional defence, both elements of
which must be demonstrated:
A person is not to be convicted of an offence under section 4
in relation to any works if he proves to the satisfaction of the
court that the works carried out were works of repair which:
e) arose from an accident or breakdown in circumstances where
repairs on the spot or elsewhere on the road were necessary; and
f) were carried out within 72 hours of the accident or breakdown
or were within that period authorised to be carried out at a later
time by the local authority for the area.
Section 4 (6) sets out the penalty:
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on
summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 (£2,500) on
the standard scale.
Section 4 (7) sets out the definitions of 'motor vehicle', 'road'
and 'local authority' used in Section 4:
'motor vehicle' and 'road'- have the same definitions as used
in section 3 (4) - see above at paragraphs 17-20.
Local Authorities can under this section authorise
repairs to go on outside the initial 72-hour period. The definition
of 'local authority' is as defined in section 9 as:
(a) a district council in England;
(b) a county council in England for an area for which there is
no district council;
(c) a London borough council
(d) the Common Council of the City of London
(e) the Council of the Isles of Scilly;
(f) a county or county borough council in Wales
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These
are regulations where parking is generally not allowed at
particular times (or even at all times). Examples are yellow
lines where vehicles may not be parked during controlled hours.
In most places there will be exemptions from the regulations,
for example Blue Badge holders may be able to park whilst
clearly displaying their badge and clock. Additionally, loading
or unloading is likely to be allowed (unless it is expressly
banned). |
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Here
the regulations allow vehicles to park, usually in a bay,
under certain conditions, for example upon payment in a
meter or by purchasing a pay and display voucher. Alternatively,
some parking bays are reserved for specific users (and the
vehicle will have to display a permit), such a resident
parking, business, doctor or trader. At other locations,
only certain types of vehicle may park there, for example
coaches. Parking may even be free but subject to a time
limit, perhaps 20 minutes with no return for two hours.
Vehicles must park properly within the marked bays. Whenever
you want to park in a bay you must check the adjacent signs
and that you are parked completely within the bay markings.
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Councils
can operate car parks that will also have regulations. They can
provide for the type of vehicle that can use the car park, maximum
length of stay, special bays, such as for Blue Badge holders and
places where vehicles may not park. Car parks operate various
systems for payment collection; in some, you must first buy a
ticket and display it in the car, in others you pay when you leave.
In some car parks, contraventions of the regulations are enforced
by Parking Attendants issuing Penalty Charge Notices. These can
be challenged in same way as if the Penalty Charge Notice had
been issued to a vehicle parked in the street
Double
yellow lines mean that parking is restricted 24 hours a day, 7
days a week (in other words ‘at any time’). With effect from 31
January 2003 councils are not required to erect a sign plate to
accompany an ‘at any time’ restriction. In some areas, (for example
holiday resorts), the ‘at any time’ restriction may apply for
only part of the year, although this must be for at least four
consecutive months. In these cases a sign, showing the duration
of the restriction, will be erected.
A
single yellow line on the road means that, at some time of the
day, there will be parking restrictions.
If
the single yellow line is within a controlled parking zone, you
can assume that it operates for the same time as the zone unless
separate time plates show different times. A Controlled Parking
Zone (CPZ) is an area where parking is restricted by Traffic Regulation
Orders (Traffic Management Orders in London), in accordance with
signs placed on all vehicular entry points to the area (except
in designated parking bays or where otherwise signed).
For
example, in a controlled parking zone which runs from 8.30 am
to 6.30 pm, a yellow line without any separate time plates will
be operational at those times and a driver may not park. An exception
to this rule allows a passenger to get in or out of the car, although
the driver should not leave the car, unless the passenger is disabled
and needs assistance or is a young child.
Guidelines
for loading and unloading:
- Drivers
are usually allowed to stop to load or unload. If the items
are heavy or bulky or if the driver has a large number of items
which would involve more than one trip, the car is allowed to
wait on the yellow line. But the car should be moved and parked
legally when the loading or unloading is finished.
- Commercial
vehicles are allowed to collect and deliver goods. If any paperwork
needs to be checked, such as delivery notes or invoices, the
time this takes can be included in the loading/unloading time
allowed. Obviously, the vehicle must be moved after the delivery
or collection has taken place.
-
Loading is not permitted at places where the parked car could
cause an obstruction, such as within 10 metres of a junction.
-
Sometimes, within a parking place, there is a yellow line called
a “loading gap”. The same rules as above apply to
this yellow line.
-
Often there will be yellow ‘blips’ on the kerb.
These warn that there is a loading restriction. Two ‘blips’
mean no loading ‘at any time’. One ‘blip’
means that loading is restricted at certain times, as shown
on a white plate. Even Blue Badge holders with badges and time
clocks are not allowed to park where there are loading restrictions
in force.
 
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