While most people are considerate of where they park others can create a nuisance.
Some motorists will inconsiderately leave their car anywhere - including in front of your driveway. Bad parking can mean drivers are sometimes unable to leave or enter their homes as a car is blocking the way.
According to MyLondon, Rule 243 of the Highway Code sets out where people can and cannot park. It says drivers should not leave their car in front of an entrance to a property, which means blocking someone's driveway would break this rule.
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The code is technically just a set of guidelines, but breaking it can still land drivers with a hefty fine, or even a prison sentence, as some of its rules are backed up by official traffic laws. Rules that say 'do not' are just advisory, but those that say 'you must not' are legally binding.
Unfortunately, parking in front of someone's driveway is not one of the rules covered by the law. It means dealing with the problem of someone blocking your car can be a little more difficult.
Charlotte Dixon, a solicitor at DAS Law, told the Mirror: “The first step with any anti-social parking problem is to contact your local authority or the police; however there is little the law can do to support home owners – even if a car blocks your driveway.”
It isn't actually illegal for a motorist to park in front of a private driveway, according to safemotoring.co.uk. Ms Dixon said that the Highway Code can only help if the vehicle is causing an obstruction to the road but not in relation to private land.
However, you are not completely powerless if you find yourself in this situation. Ms Dixon added: “One option that’s available is to pursue a legal claim for nuisance on the grounds that the driver is interfering with your use and enjoyment of your property – but to do so you’d need to know the identity of the offending vehicle’s driver.”
If the driver is a repeat offender, you could try to find a kind police officer who will make enquiries, contact the owner, and ask them to move their car. But the police are not bound to do so.
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