Is it illegal to sleep in your car?

Key takeaways

• You are allowed to sleep in your car in the UK as long as you are parked safely and legally and not under the influence of drugs or alcohol

• Be mindful of parking restrictions: It's important to avoid sleeping in your car on private property or in areas with no parking allowed

• The law prohibits being in charge of a motor vehicle while intoxicated, even if you are parked and not driving

Is it illegal to sleep in my car?

No, it is not illegal to sleep in your car. As long as you are safely and legally parked, and you are sober and not under then influence of drugs then there is no problem with taking a nap in your car. In fact, it can be the safest thing to do if you are drifting off. 

📣 Did you know? About 4% of fatal road crashes and 2% of all collisions in Britain are caused by driver fatigue and as many as one in eight motorists has admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel, according to road safety charity Brake.

Where can I sleep in my car? 

When am I not allowed to sleep in my car? 

• If you’ve had too much to drink and are over the legal limit.

• If you’re under the influence of drugs

• If you are not parked safely and legally. For example, it is illegal to park on the pavement in London or to park on double yellow lines

It is illegal to be in charge of a motor vehicle in a public place while drunk or under the influence of drugs and you could be charged by police. This applies even if you aren’t in the driver’s seat and you’re asleep in the back seat of the car and the keys aren’t in the ignition.

The consequences can be severe, including:

• 10 penalty points on your licence

• A £2,500 fine

• A driving ban

• Up to three months in prison

How can I avoid driving while tired? 

• Don’t set off on a long journey if you are already sleepy

• Try to make sure you get a good night’s sleep before driving

• Avoid doing a long drive between midnight and 6 am, if you can, as you will be naturally less alert during these hours

• Take regular breaks. The Highway Code recommends a minimum break of 15 minutes after every two hours of driving

• Don’t be afraid to stop, safely and legally, for a nap and a cup of coffee to make sure you feel awake enough before driving on

• Be mindful of any medication or medical conditions that could make you drowsy. sleep apnoea, narcolepsy and multiple sclerosis are among those you need to declare to the DVLA and when applying for car insurance. Failing to disclose a pre-existing medical condition could put you at risk of a £1,000 fine and if you cause an accident you could also be prosecuted

What is car camping?

In the UK, car camping usually means sleeping in your car rather than using a tent for camping. You simply fold down your rear seats and put the driver’s seat and passenger seat forward and ideally use a car bed mattress and sleeping bag.

Car camping can also refer to setting up a tent next to your car. If you do this, you’ll need to make sure you have permission from the landowner or park at campsite which allows car camping.

Can I sleep in a camper van or motorhome?

Yes, you can sleep in a camper van or motorhome in England and Wales as long as it’s a designated area and not at the side of the road. You also need to look out for any restrictions on camping overnight in a town centre or a beauty spot set by the local authority. In Scotland, some Forestry and Land Scotland car parks allow self-contained camper vans and motorhomes to park overnight in their car park as part of the ‘Stay the Night’ scheme.