Is it illegal to park on the pavement?
Key takeaways
In London pavement parking is illegal and could result in a fine of up to £130 but rules elsewhere vary so check local regulations
You don’t have a legal right to park on the road or pavement outside your house as it is publicly owned
Blue Badges do not permit pavement parking unless in designated bays
Is it illegal to park on the pavement?
There is currently no blanket ban on parking on the pavement throughout the UK, which can make it confusing for motorists.
Here are the rules for different parts of the UK.
In London, parking on the pavement is illegal, and doing so is highly likely to result in you getting a parking ticket. Rule 244 of the Highway Code states that drivers ‘must not park partially or wholly on the pavement in London’.
However, there are places where signs permit pavement parking. These are usually on roads that are quite narrow so pavement parking allows traffic to pass smoothly.
Parking outside of London gets a little trickier – legally speaking. According to the Highway Code you ‘should not’ park partially or wholly on pavements elsewhere ‘unless signs permit it’. ‘Should not’ means that this is advisory not enforceable.
If you decide to park on a pavement you could be committing an obstruction offence if pedestrians and wheelchair users are forced to use the road to get round your parked vehicle. You could therefore be fined by the police.
Local councils have the power to prohibit parking on the pavement through a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), although they have to put up signs so it is clear to motorists. If you ignore these signs the council’s civil enforcement officer (traffic warden) may issue a fine (known as a Penalty Charge Notice or PCN).
A national pavement parking ban in England could still be introduced. The Department for Transport held a public consultation in 2020 and has not yet released its verdict.
In January 2025, Labour MP Marsha De Cordova, who is registered blind, put forward a bill to amend the law relating to parking on verges and footways in England outside of Greater London and in Wales.
The bill would give local authorities power to enforce against pavement parking, and obstructive parking of rental micromobility devices, including e-scooters and e-bikes.
Like London, Scotland does not allow pavement parking. This was introduced in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, along with banning double parking and parking at dropped kerbs.
Secondary legislation is in place, which gives local authorities in Scotland parking enforcement powers.
There are some exemptions:
To allow for the normal operation of the emergency services, or medical practitioners in emergency situations
To allow the response to an emergency or accident
To allow for certain deliveries and collections
Vehicles used for undertaking works on roads or removal of obstructions
Like England (apart from London) and Northern Ireland, you are advised not to park on a pavement in Wales unless signs allow it.
If you park anywhere that creates an unnecessary obstruction, the police can enforce it as a criminal offence.
The Welsh Government has previously spoken about plans to allow local authorities to fine drivers who park on pavements.
Highway code rule 244 applies in Northern Ireland – ‘Do not park partially or wholly on the footpath unless there are signs that permit it’.
Pavement parking is illegal if there are other parking restrictions in place such as double yellow lines or an urban clearway.
If the vehicle causes an obstruction it is a matter for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
London
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
📣 Did you know? 65% of UK residents surveyed by charity Sustrans support banning vehicles parking on the pavement.
Can I park on the pavement outside my house?
No, even if you own your property you have no legal right to park outside your property on the road or the pavement as it is publicly owned (unless you live on a private road).
If you have a Blue Badge, you may be able to get a designated parking spot outside your house but anyone who has a disabled badge may be able to use this space rather than it being specifically for you.
What is the fine for parking on the pavement?
If you park on the pavement in London, you could be fined up to £130 (halved if paid within 14 days). In Scotland, the fine is up to £100 (reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days). In other parts of the UK the penalty charge notice (PCN) is set by the local council and may vary.
If the way you have parked is deemed an obstruction by the police you could be given a fixed penalty notice.
I’m a Blue Badge holder, can I park on the pavement?
No, your Blue Badge does not permit you to park on the pavement unless there is a designated parking bay marked on, or partially on, the pavement.
When can I park on the pavement?
It’s best to only park on the pavement when you see a sign allowing you to do so or when the road is very narrow and parking on the pavement helps traffic flow.
If you do park on the pavement, make sure your car doesn’t cause an obstruction, particularly for disabled people, people with pushchairs/prams or the emergency services.
Make sure you don’t park on the pavement or grass verge by the side of yellow lines as waiting restrictions still apply and you will be parking illegally.
Also, be aware that it is an offence to drive on a pavement unless you are accessing your property via a dropped kerb.
