It's estimated there are more than 30 million cars in the UK - almost one for every two people. It's not surprising therefore, if it seems there is more traffic on the road.
It also means there are more drivers looking for a finite amount of available places to leave their car without the risk of getting a ticket. So it's not a bad idea for drivers to refresh themselves on where they can legally park - and more importantly where they cannot. You can get more Swansea news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Double yellow lines
A double yellow line – either painted on the road or on the kerb – means parking and waiting are not permitted at any time. Loading and unloading may be permitted, providing you can be seen doing so continuously - unless there are specific restrictions against it, indicated either by signage or yellow 'kerb dashes'.
READ MORE: Is your car safer if it's parked under a street light? The answer might surprise you
Blue Badge holders can park on single or double yellow lines for a maximum of three hours, providing there isn't signage to say otherwise, it is safe to do so and it is not causing an obstruction for other drivers. There may also be seasonal restrictions, but they will be indicated by signs at the roadside. A double yellow line parking fine is usually £70 and is reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days. You can be fined even for using a mobile phone as a passenger - read more here.
Single yellow lines
A single yellow line – either painted on the road or on the kerb – means no waiting, parking, loading or unloading at the times shown on the accompanying signs. Restrictions tend to be lifted during evenings and weekends, but will be listed on the signs. As with double yellow lines, Blue Badge holders can park on single lines for a maximum of three hours, providing there isn't signage to say otherwise, it is safe to do so, and it is not causing an obstruction for other drivers.
Red Route stopping controls
Red lines are sometimes used instead of yellow lines. In London, the double and single red lines used on Red Routes indicate that stopping to park, load, unload, or to board and alight from a vehicle is prohibited, except for licensed taxis and Blue Badge holders. The times of restrictions will be shown on signs, but a double red line means no stopping at any time.
On some Red Routes, you may stop to park, load or unload in specially marked boxes at times and for purposes specified by nearby sign. Read about the eight things all drivers do which could result in a £100 fine.
Clearways
A red cross over a blue background is used to indicate a clearway, which means no stopping at any time – not even to pick up or set down passengers. The sign is used to indicate a 24-hour clearway. They are not accompanied by special road markings, but the road should feature smaller, repeater signs.
Loading bays
A loading bay will be marked by a dotted white line surrounding it, along with the words ‘Loading Only’ painted on the road. These bays might be reserved for use by goods lorries or may be used by all vehicles, i.e. outside shops where heavy purchases have to be carried to a car. These bays should not be used before purchase, but only for the collection of pre-paid items.
Parking reserved for vehicles named
When parking is reserved for a specific type of vehicle or user, the bay will be marked by a dotted line and the name of the user painted on the road, such as a doctor, ambulance, and disabled user. They are increasingly reserved for electric vehicles, marked as ‘Electric Vehicles Only’ or a car and plug icon.
Yellow zig zag lines
Yellow zig-zag lines outside schools, hospitals, or fire, police or ambulance stations indicate a length of road where stopping or waiting is strictly prohibited, even if picking up or setting down children.
White zig-zag lines
The approach to, and exit from, a pedestrian crossing is marked with white zig-zag lines. Drivers must not park or overtake in this area, as parking would block the view for pedestrians and oncoming traffic. You risk a fine and penalty points by parking on yellow or white zig-zag lines, but yellow zig-zags needs an accompanying sign to be legally enforceable. Why petrol stations in the UK are running out of fuel despite there being no shortage.
Parking on the pavement
The Highway Code states that you must not park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do elsewhere unless signs permit it. It can obstruct and inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, with visual impairments, and people with prams and pushchairs.
Offenders in London are committing a punishable offence and are liable to receive a parking ticket. Elsewhere, drivers aren’t necessarily committing an offence, but it is an offence to drive on the pavement. If parking on the pavement is permitted, it will be marked by a blue and white sign.
The Welsh Government set up a Welsh Pavement Parking Taskforce in 2019 to examine the rules around pavement parking in Wales. A spokesman said last month: "The taskforce recommended that existing legislation be amended to give local authorities additional civil enforcement powers to fine problem parkers. This is a Programme for Government commitment and we are now working to give Welsh local authorities powers - the deputy minister will update the Senedd on progress in due course.”
Parking outside someone’s house
It is perfectly legal to park outside someone’s house, unless the vehicle is blocking a driveway or a wheel is over a dropped kerb. It also isn't permitted on streets governed by residents’ parking permits or any of the restrictions outlined above, such as double yellow lines.
Parking on the road
The Highway Code isn't the law, but many of its rules are in fact legal requirements under the Roads Traffic Act, which you can be prosecuted for contravening. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence, disqualified from driving, or even sent to prison.
Here's what the Highway Code says about parking on the road:
- Do not park facing against the traffic flow
- Stop as close as possible to the roadside
- Do not park too close to a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge
- The engine, headlights and fog lights must be switched off
- The handbrake must be applied before leaving the car
- You must look out for other road users when you open your door
- Passengers should exit the vehicle on the side next to the kerb
- Valuables should be out of sight and the car locked
Parking lights must be used on a road or layby on a highway with a speed limit higher than 30mph.
Parking zones
The British Parking Association (BPA) outlines four different types of parking zones in the UK. They are often accompanied by signs outlining their rules.
Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)
Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ)
Permit Parking Area (PPA)
Pedestrian Zones
Zones can be described differently, for example, ‘Meter Zone’, ‘Restricted Zone’ or ‘Pay & Display Zone’.
Other places you cannot park
The Highway Code tells us you must not stop or park in the following locations, except when forced to do so by stationary traffic:
- Near a school entrance (see specific section above)
- Anywhere that would prevent access for emergency vehicles
- On a bus or tram stop, or a taxi rank
- On the approach to a level crossing
- Opposite or within 32 feet of a junction, except in an authorised parking bay
- Near the brow of a hill or humpback bridge
- Opposite a traffic island or another parked vehicle (if it causes an obstruction)
- Where you would force another vehicle to enter a tram lane
- Where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair and mobility vehicle users
- In front of an entrance to a property
- On a bend
- Where you would obstruct a cycle lane
- A tram or cycle lane during its period of operation
- A cycle track
- A pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by the zig-zag lines
- On the carriageway or the hard shoulder of a motorway (except in an emergency)
- Taxi bays (as directed by the upright signs and road markings)
- A road marked with central double white lines, even if a broken white line is on your side of the road, except for dropping off, picking up, loading or unloading
