Warning to motorists parking on own driveways over breaking little-known rule
Drivers could be reported to their local authority if they are caught
Motorists who park their vehicles on their own driveways could be fined for a breaking an unknown rule. Homeowners who park multiple cars outside of their home are most likely to fall foul of the little-known law.
Drivers could be reported to their local authority and hit with a hefty fine if they are caught breaking the rules. According to experts motorists should always ensure no vehicles overhang their driveway and block part of the pavement.
This tends to happen when families attempt to squeeze all of their vehicles onto the one driveway. However, blocking just a tiny part of the pavement could leave someone open to trouble.
Pavements should not be blocked and should always be left clear to allow people with prams and those with mobility issues to pass safely without having to go onto the road, according to Birmingham Live.
Graham Conway, motoring expert at Select Car leasing, explained: "It may come as a surprise, but a cluttered or overloaded driveway may lead to a fine, particularly if items or parked vehicles are spilling out onto public pathways or blocking visibility for other road users.
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"UK law states that vehicles should not obstruct pavements or be parked in a way that causes inconvenience or danger.
"If your driveway is overflowing and cars are sticking out onto the street, you could be hit with a penalty charge notice of up to £100, depending on your local council.
"However, you can avoid this by making sure all cars are parked fully on your property and not covering kerbs or verges.
"If your household has more cars than space, consider applying for resident permits or rotating parking to stay within the rules."
This isn't the only issue drivers should be aware of when parking up outside of their homes. According to experts, millions could be breaking one of the least known rules of the Highway Code everyday.
Unbeknown to the majority of car users, the code says that drivers shouldn't pull onto their driveway facing forwards.
Most drivers who currently do this are likely none the wiser that they are doing anything wrong, however if you are following the code then you will know that you should always back onto a driveway.
The Highway Code states that the reason for is due to safety concerns. Facing forwards ensures drivers don't reverse out of their driveway and potentially risk the safety of pedestrians and other motorists.
Motoring experts at Yell said: "It's a habit many drivers don't think twice about – pulling straight into the driveway after a long day, ready to head inside and relax.
"But did you know that this common parking manoeuvre could actually go against Highway Code guidance? According to the rules of the road, drivers should reverse into their driveways rather than driving in forward and reversing out later. While there's no specific law against it, reversing onto a busy road can be seen as careless and inconsiderate driving, especially if it causes an obstruction or puts other road users at risk.
"Motorists could face an unlimited fine and receive between three and nine penalty points on their licence for certain offences. The reasoning is simple – safety and visibility.
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