There are some instances where parking outside someone's home or drive is illegal but this does not count for all situations, according to the Highway Code. Share your email to get the latest property news We have more newsletters Share your email to get the latest property news We have more newsletters Most homeowners with a driveway will understand how frustrating it is when another motorist blocks access to your drive when they choose to park in front of it. Not only does it prevent you from either not being able to easily access your own property or being blocked in so you can't physically leave, it can also lead to disputes with neighbours , particularly if the culprit lives nearby.
It's easy for problems to escalate quickly in streets where driveway space is limited to a few properties on the street but it is still incredibly annoying nonetheless. So what does the Highway Code say about your rights as a homeowner if you find yourself in this situation and what can you do about it if someone is blocking your drive? Well according to number 243 of the Highway Code, a vehicle should never be parked blocking a property entrance of any sort, Liverpool Echo reports. As well as homes, it also outlines a number of other locations such as near school entrances, or close to public transport ranks such as buses, trams and taxis.
It also states that motorists are not permitted to park on dropped kerbs that appear in front of a driveway and may even receive a fine if their car is partially covering one. The one exceptional circumstance to this is if a driver has no choice but to stop or park as a result of stationary traffic. However, according to the RAC, it is technically legal to park outside someone else's house, as long as you are not blocking access to their entrance and they have enough space to access their property.
This means the space outside your home is not automatically reserved for you and parking there is actually a first-come-first-served basis. However, there are some exceptions to this too. When parking on a street, you must ensure you are not stopping in a reserved area.
Rule 241 states that motorists must not park in spaces reserved for specific users, such as Blue Badge holders, residents or motorcycles unless they are entitled to do so. Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
