When can you park on a zig-zag, near a junction, at a bus stop or outside someone’s house? UK parking laws explained

PARKING is one of the many challenges drivers encounter when they are behind the wheel.

There is a minefield of rules that motorists must adhere to, with parking banned in a places including reserved spaces and on double yellow lines – but there are a few exceptions that car-owners should familiarise themselves with.

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When can you park on double yellow lines?

Double yellows are usually a definite no-no – but can you ever park on them?

In general, you must not wait or park on yellow lines during the times of operation – these should be shown on nearby time plates or zone entry signs.

In some circumstances you may be able to stop double yellows, for example to stop to load or unload heavy goods, but check for any indicated restrictions – these are usually indicated by yellow dashes on the kerb and signage.

If there are no markings, loading or unloading your vehicle should be visibly continuous.

In most cases, briefly picking up and dropping off passengers is okay too – as long as you’re not blocking any roads, junctions or traffic.

If you’re disabled and have a Blue Badge, you’re usually fine to park on double yellow lines for up to three hours – as long as your badge is clearly displayed and you’re not causing an obstruction.

In all cases, check for any nearby signage for exceptions to this.

When can you park in a bus stop?

Stopping with any part of your vehicle (not just the wheels) on a restricted bus stop is likely to get you a hefty penalty charge.

Rule 243 of The Highway Code tells road users: “Do not stop of park at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank”.

It’s best to stay well-clear – unless you have important mitigating circumstances.

When can you park outside someone’s house?

As long as the piece of road you’re parking on is not private, has a dropped kerb, belongs to a resident’s bay or blocks a driveway, you’re not doing anything wrong in the eyes of the law.

Unless the street is governed by residents’ parking permits, any member of the public can park there – as long as they are complying with restrictions, and not causing obstructions.

The police are keen to remind people that it’s not ‘your right’ to park in front of your house – unless you have a designated parking space.

When can you park on zig-zag lines?

As a rule, don’t park on zig-zags.

Both yellow and white zig-zag road markings indicate that parking is prohibited and doing so can carry more than just a fine – you can be given penalty points too.

White zig-zags can be enforced by the council and the police, do not need a sign for enforcement, and you cannot park on them at any time.

White zig-zag road markings are enforced 24-hours a day, every day.

On the other hand, yellow zig-zag lines DO need a sign to be legally enforceable.

Yellow zig-zags that have a sign in place are enforced by the local council and any fine received is a civil matter – not criminal.

Motorists should take note of any signage and only park on yellow zig-zags outside of the times indicated.

Yellow zig-zags are usually found outside places such as school gates, police and ambulance stations and hospitals.

If not sign is present the zig-zags cannot be legally enforced.

Parking on zig-zag lines, especially white zig-zags, if difficult to dispute if a given penalty and few exceptions are given.

Can you park on a junction?

You must not park opposite or within 10 metres of a junction except in an authorised parking space.

Government guidance states you must also not park near the brow of a hill or hump bridge, opposite a traffic island or another parked car.

How you can challenge an unfair parking ticket?

No matter who has issued the parking ticket it is possible to fight it if you think you’ve been unfairly charged.

Despite this, it’s important to keep in mind that the fine may increase if your appeal is unsuccessful.

If you’ve been ticketed by the council or police its advisable to pay up unless you have grounds to appeal.

Here’s how to tell if the ticket is a penalty charge notice or a private parking ticket.

The latter is easier to appeal if you believe you’ve been unfairly charged.