Parking restrictions

There are legal requirements that must be adhered to when signposting parking controls. What follows is a guide to the most common parking restrictions. Loading and unloading of vehicles is also covered.

Restrictive Parking Regulations

Where there are single yellow lines in place there will usually be some form of parking restriction in place. This may not be a restriction at all times. There will usually be a sign at or near that location giving the times or situations where the restriction is in force. In the majority of locations there will be exemptions from the regulations, the most common being for Blue Badge holders. In those circumstances, the relevant items need to be displayed clearly inside the vehicle. Loading or unloading is commonly allowed, unless expressly banned.

Permitted Parking

Where this type of sign and road markings are in place the regulations will allow parking, most often but not always in a bay (your vehicle must be parked completely within the marked bay). There will normally be conditions that must be met to allow the parking, e.g. pay at a meter or purchasing a pay and display ticket. Some bays may be specifically reserved for residents' parking, businesses, doctors or traders. Restrictions can also extend to different types of vehicles. 

Where parking is free, it is often subject to a time limit which must be adhered to.

Absolute Restrictions

The ban on parking in these areas extends 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When the sign says 'At any time' it literally means 24 hours a day, although since 31 January 2003 Councils have not been required to state ‘at any time’ on the sign for it to be valid. 

There are some areas where the 'anytime' restriction only applies for part of the year. Where this applies, a sign showing the duration of the restriction will be present.

Guidelines for Loading & Unloading:

Often there will be yellow ‘blips’/stripes on the kerb at loading points. These indicate a restriction on loading.  Two ‘blips’ mean no loading ‘at any time’ and one ‘blip’ means that loading is restricted at certain times. Any restrictions will normally be shown on a white plate.  Even if you have a Blue Badge you will not be allowed to park where loading restrictions are in force.

There are some exceptions to loading restrictions, allowing vehicles to stop briefly as follows:

When loading or unloading heavy or bulky items or if there are a large number of items for the driver to unload which would involve more than one trip (the vehicle should then be moved and parked legally as soon as the loading or unloading is completed).

Commercial vehicles are allowed to collect and deliver goods.  Dealing with paperwork (e.g. invoices or delivery notes) can be included in the stopping time. When the delivery or collection is complete, the vehicle must be moved.

Even if an exception applies you must not load or unload a vehicle where it would cause an obstruction or close to a junction, otherwise you are likely to fall outside the exceptions to the parking rules. 

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