There’s nothing more annoying than not being able to access your own driveway due to another vehicle. Whether this vehicle is blocking your driveway, or is actually parked in your driveway, it’s guaranteed to make your day just that little bit more stressful. This begs the question – can someone park in my driveway, and what should I do if so? Continue reading to learn your rights, as well as what to do if someone parks in your driveway in the UK.
Is it illegal for someone to park in my driveway?
Someone else parking on your driveway is more than just a nuisance; it’s also trespassing. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that you can get the police involved. Since trespassing is a civil offence rather than a criminal one, the police do not have the power to make an arrest. However, if this becomes a consistent issue, police forces recommend that you get in touch with Citizens Advice.
What to do if someone parks in your driveway
If someone has parked on your driveway, here are some actions you can take to resolve the issue.
1. Install a driveway gate
The best way to stop people from parking in your driveway is by installing a driveway gate. A driveway gate means you have full control of which vehicles enter and exit your driveway. When closed, your driveway gate will prevent trespassers from being able to park on your driveway. However, you can easily open the gate with the push of a button in order to move your own vehicle in and out of the driveway with ease.
2. Speak to the owner of the vehicle
But, if you don’t have a driveway gate installed yet, what can you do if someone parks in your driveway? The first step would be to have a polite word with the driver of the vehicle. The driver may be unfamiliar with the area and could have mistaken your driveway for a friend’s, or not realised that it is private property. Try to be courteous and ask the driver to move their vehicle. If you can’t find the driver to speak to face to face, leave a polite note on their windshield for them to come back to.
3. Take further action
However, sometimes people can’t be swayed by a kind word. If the perpetrator continues to park in your driveway after you’ve asked them to stop, you may want to take more serious action. As mentioned, trespassing is not a criminal offence, so you would need to pursue a civil case to take any legal action. This can be expensive and time-consuming, but if successful, a court will grant permission for the car to be removed from your driveway. We would advise you not to tow a vehicle from your driveway yourself, as you will be liable for any damages caused.
What to do if someone blocks your driveway
Even if you have a top-of-the-range wooden driveway gate installed, this can’t prevent people from parking in front of your driveway and blocking you in. Similarly, when someone parks in your driveway, it’s advised to first attempt to speak with the driver and ask them to move. Most of the time, this will work. But, there are some instances where a vehicle may block your driveway for an extended period of time, or on multiple occasions. If this is the case, more serious steps can be taken to remove someone who is parked in front of your driveway.
Section 243 of the Highway Code states that you ‘must not’ park in front of an entrance to a property. Therefore, someone blocking your driveway is committing an offence and could receive a fine or points on their licence. Also, if you’re unable to move your own vehicle from the property because of this vehicle, you can report antisocial behaviour to the police. In this case, the authorities may be able to help with the removal of the vehicle blocking your driveway.
Installing a brilliant driveway gate will prevent people from parking in your driveway, whether it’s a steel, aluminium, or composite driveway gate. Any style of driveway gate can improve privacy to your home, as well as improving your garden security. To get started with your driveway gate installation, contact The Expert Gate Company team today.