Property owners often find themselves frustrated when facing the common issue of a vehicle blocking their driveway. Recently, a homeowner sought advice from the police on how to handle this situation.
The inquiry was directed to the Ask the Police platform, a part of the Police National Legal Database. The resident, feeling exasperated, asked, “Someone has parked their car and it is blocking my driveway. What shall I do?”
Initially, the police recommend attempting to communicate with neighbors to identify the vehicle’s owner and have it moved if it is obstructing the driveway entrance.
In some areas, local councils may offer assistance. They enforce parking regulations under Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE), making it an offense to block a dropped kerb driveway. Residents can check if their local council enforces CPE by visiting a provided link.
If the local council enforces CPE, residents are advised to report vehicles obstructing dropped kerbs directly to them. If CPE is not in place in your area, contacting the local police is the next step.
It is important to note that police intervention is only warranted if a vehicle is preventing you from exiting your property. The Metropolitan Police acknowledged the frustration caused by blocked driveways and recommended a neighborly approach to resolving the issue.
If attempts to contact the vehicle owner are unsuccessful, residents are advised to contact their local council for assistance. The RAC clarified parking laws, stating that it is legal to park outside someone’s house unless it obstructs a driveway or a wheel is over a dropped kerb.
The RAC also provided guidance on situations where a vehicle is blocking access, highlighting the council’s authority to act if a vehicle on a driveway obstructs access to a public highway. However, if the vehicle is on private property, the council does not have the authority to remove it.