How to Park Right The easy way to avoid parking tickets

When can I park on a yellow line?

Sadly, it's impossible to give a universal definition of when yellow line restrictions apply as they change from street to street.

Parking chiefs say the variations are because some streets are more busy than others and some have more demand for parking than others.

Double yellow lines

What they mean: You cannot park on one at any time, regardless of whether there are signs or not.

Any exceptions? Sometimes, you are permitted to stop temporarily when loading or unloading goods (see below).

Single yellow lines

What they mean: You cannot park on one during certain controlled times. Those times will be signposted (as in pic, below) but they will change from street to street.

If the signs do not indicate a day of the week, the restrictions apply at the same time every day, including bank holidays. Even when they indicate a day, they apply on bank holidays, unless otherwise stated.

Any exceptions? Sometimes, you are permitted to stop temporarily when loading or unloading goods (see below).

What if I can't see a sign?

In some cases, the signs won’t be anywhere near the yellow lines they apply to, which makes life particularly difficult for motorists.

In such cases, you'll need to read the restrictions which are put up at the entrance to the parking zone (see pic, right) you are in.

But you could have passed that five minutes previously, and even then, you probably weren’t looking for it. So you may not know where the zone begins.

One fallback is to use the local residents' permit restricted times or paid-for parking restricted times (which should be signposted close by) as an indication to know when you can and can't park on a single yellow line – though this isn't fool-proof.

When can you load or unload on yellows?

The exceptions to yellow line restrictions come when you're loading and unloading heavy or bulky goods (that cannot reasonably be carried from a legal parking spot), or dropping off or picking up passengers.

Unless explicitly stated, or if there are no markings on the kerb, you can usually load and unload for up to 20 minutes, and pick up and drop off passengers as long as you're not blocking any roads, junctions or traffic.

Some councils allow a little longer than 20 minutes but if you're unsure then assume 20 minutes is the maximum, to be safe.

What if a warden's around?

However, if a traffic warden spots your car, and you are not clearly loading or unloading for five minutes, you could get a ticket so it's worth constantly checking. If you get a ticket when loading, then see the Parking Ticket Appeals guide.

Watch for the blips

If there are any small yellow lines at a right-angle to the kerb, known as 'blips', the rules vary. If there are two sets of blips it means you can't load at any time.

If there are single blips, there should be signs indicating when loading is allowed.

When can I park on a red line?

On some urban main roads - in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh - you will also see red lines, often referred to as 'red routes'.

Here, the restrictions are greater than on a yellow line.

Double red lines

You cannot park, stop to load or unload or drop off/pick
up passengers on one.

What about on bank holidays?

Red route restrictions are usually enforced on public holidays.

Any exceptions?

If you have a Blue Badge and are dropping off or picking up a disabled passenger, you can stop briefly.

Single red lines

You cannot park, stop to load or unload or drop off/pick up passengers on one during designated periods as determined by nearby signs (usually 7am-7pm). At other times, you can park on a single red line.

Any exceptions?

If you have a Blue Badge and are dropping off or picking up a passenger, you can stop briefly.

Red route bays

There will also be boxes marked out with a broken red line within single or double red routes that you can use to stop in to load or unload at designated times. Again, check exactly what the restrictions are on nearby signs as they will vary.

If the box is white it means you can park, but only during the specified times.

Some will only allow stopping for short periods (anything from 10 minutes to two hours) and you won’t be able to simply drive off and come back straight away as there may be a specific period in which you are not allowed to return after leaving.

Red route clearways

These are usually on dual carriageways, where stopping is only allowed in marked lay-bys.

On these roads there are signs but no red lines except at some roundabouts and junctions.

Residents' parking bay rules

These are designed, as the name would suggest, to ensure local residents have a spot to park near their home.

However, they are free to use outside restricted hours (usually during evenings and/or at weekends).

If you don't have a permit

You can only park in a bay outside restricted hours, which will be signposted (see example pic, right). Make sure your car is completely within any bay to avoid a ticket.

What about on bank holidays?

In some areas, bank holidays are treated as a normal working day in which case restrictions apply as usual. In others, they are treated as a Sunday, and in others you are completely free to park.

You'll need to check the relevant council’s rules via its website. See Gov.uk to find local authority pages.

If you have a permit

You can park in a bay at any time unless the bay is suspended (see below). Also watch out for metered or pay and display parking mixed amongst residents' bays as you may not be able to park for free in them. Read the notices on the overhead signs, meters or pay machines.

Keep your permit visible

Even if you have a permit, it is also your responsibility to display it clearly. So make sure it's upright and the holder is sticky enough to keep it up. Even if you have legitimately bought a permit but fail to clearly display it, you may lose an appeal against a ticket.

Residents' bay parking suspensions

It's not all plain sailing for residents. They also need to beware the curse of the dreaded suspended bay. A council can shut off any parking spot for an indefinite period to allow roadworks, tree-cutting, domestic moves, etc (see suspended bay example pic, right).

While the bay is suspended, no-one can park there or you risk a ticket or being towed away. The suspension warning sign should be placed on the nearest parking sign plate, tree or telegraph pole.

You’ll normally get a few days' notice but in emergencies, a bay could be suspended with less than 24 hours' notice.

What if the bay gets suspended while you're on holiday?

The regulations state it is your responsibility to check for any suspensions and to move your car if necessary otherwise you’ll get a ticket, or worse.

If you've gone on holiday and you miss the notices going up, it can be a real pain. The warden will understandably issue a ticket, and proof of travel will not necessarily get you off the ticket.

Councils can play hard-ball on ticket appeals

You’ll have to rely on the council's discretion when appealing as, technically speaking, you have committed an offence (see Parking Ticket Appeals for how to do this).

If your appeal is rejected by your council, the independent arbitrator can only recommend the council cancels your ticket, but it cannot force it.

Some councils are particularly unsympathetic to this problem and insist it is motorists' responsibility to check their car is parked correctly. They say you need to make specific arrangements to get someone to check the car if you plan to leave it parked in a residents' bay. If you're away with the family, ensure a neighbour is insured before asking them to move it.

Some councils have specific car parks reserved for those going on holiday, while if you're flying, you could drive to the airport and leave your car nearby (see the Cheap Airport Parking guide).

Parking in paid bays and council car parks

Paid-for bays include pay and display, council-run car parks, voucher parking and metered bays. During controlled hours (usually during working hours on Mondays-Fridays, plus weekends in busy areas), you'll need to pay.

Outside these times, you'll be free to park. So check the signs on the roadside or at a ticket machine/meter to be sure. Also make sure your vehicle is completely within any bay.

But there's more you need to know:

Nipping off for change isn't fine

Make sure you have enough coins with you as many parking ticket machines do not accept notes or cards.

Sadly, if you get a parking ticket you cannot technically appeal on the grounds you were getting change.

Beware the 'no return' sign rules

With all paid-for parking, watch out for maximum time limits or no return limits in some bays to ensure you don't spend too long there.

If you can park somewhere for an hour but it says 'no return' within two hours, it means you must leave at least two hours between parking spells.

The '3 minute amnesty' isn't universal

Some councils won’t issue a ticket within three minutes of any paid-for parking expiring. This is largely to deal with the fact the motorist’s or warden’s watch may not display the same time.

However, not every council offers this amnesty as it does not form part of any regulation. So don’t count on it but use it to your advantage if you get a ticket within three minutes of the elapsing of your paid-for marking period. See the Appealing Against Parking Fines guide for more information.

Sometimes you can pay by phone

In some built-up areas, you can pay for your parking by phone. It works by setting up an account by phone or text and then letting the council know when you're parking and how long you want to stay there for. Your chosen credit or debit card will then be charged.

The advantage of this method is you can top up your payment if you want to stay longer without retuning to your motor. The disadvantage is, in some cases, you'll have to pay a fee for each payment.

Many of these schemes require you to call 0870 or 0871 numbers, which cost more than a normal phone call so factor that in. See the Say No To 0870 guide to cut call costs.

What if the meter or machine's broken?

If the meter or pay and display machine is broken or has a cover placed over it, it usually means you cannot park there during controlled hours.

Though for pay and display, if you can find a nearby machine that works and operates under the same time restrictions and cost, you can get a ticket from there.

However, to be safe, check the rules written on the machine as it will state if it's legal to park there if out of action.

What happens on bank holidays?

Other than in busy shopping areas, you can usually park in a paid-for bay for free. But again, check the machine or sign to be safe.

Permit holders

Residents and disabled (Blue Badge holders) permit holders sometimes get some free time on a local paid-for parking space during restricted periods, so check the rules if you have one.

Keep your ticket visible.

As with residents' permits, if you buy a pay and display ticket it is also your responsibility to display it clearly. Make sure the ticket is upright and stuck to the window rather than left on the dashboard, to ensure any passing warden can clearly see it.

Also make sure it's sticky enough to remain on your window.