Parking across a driveway or access: what the rules generally say
Why parking in front of a driveway, dropped kerb or access almost always causes trouble — for residents, for emergency services, and for you.
It looks like an easy space: a stretch of kerb with no other cars, right outside a house. But that gap is usually a driveway or access, and blocking it is one of the most common ways drivers pick up a charge or, worse, come back to find their car has been towed. Here is how the rules generally work.
The general rule on driveways and dropped kerbs
As a broad principle, you should not park where you would block a vehicle access — a driveway, a lowered section of kerb, or a marked entrance. This holds even when there is no yellow line or sign, because the access itself is the restriction.
Surprisingly to some, this can apply to your own driveway too: blocking a dropped kerb can obstruct the footway and the road even if the property is yours. Rules vary by country and municipality, so treat this as a principle and check what applies locally.
Why it matters more than it looks
A blocked access is not just an inconvenience. A resident may be unable to get their own car out, a carer or delivery may be stopped, and — most seriously — emergency vehicles may lose a route they need.
Because the harm is real and immediate, enforcement here tends to be firm, and complaints from residents are common.
- A resident can be trapped in or out of their own property
- Footways may be blocked for wheelchairs, prams and pedestrians
- Emergency and service vehicles can lose access
- Neighbours are quick to report a blocked driveway
Typical consequences and how to stay clear
Depending on where you are, blocking an access can lead to a parking charge and, if the obstruction is serious or you cannot be reached, the vehicle being towed at your expense.
The safe habit is simple: never stop across a dropped kerb or gated entrance, leave clear space either side of an access, and if a space looks too good to be true right outside someone's home, it usually is.
- Never park across a dropped kerb or gated entrance
- Leave clear room on both sides of an access
- If unsure whether it is an access, choose another space
The takeaway
Blocking a driveway or access rarely ends well — it traps residents, risks emergency access, and invites a charge or a tow, so leave those gaps clear and find a proper bay instead.
Keep reading
Bring this to your car parks
Talk to an OPARKO parking consultant about what fits your sites — no obligation.