Can I drop the kerb to make a driveway?
Yes, but only with a licensed dropped-kerb approval from the highway authority — and you can't do the works yourself. A dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) is legally required to drive over a footway or verge, and driving over it without one is an offence. You apply under section 184 of the Highways Act 1980; there's no automatic right — the council assesses visibility, gradient, junction distance, drainage and buried services, and can refuse. The works (lowering the kerb, rebuilding the footway) must be done by an approved/licensed contractor or council crews. Planning permission isn't needed to form an access onto an unclassified road, but is needed onto a classified (A/B/C) or trunk road. And a front-garden driveway is only permitted development if you use permeable surfacing (or drain to a permeable area); an impermeable surface over 5m² needs planning permission. In short: yes, with a council crossover licence and permeable surfacing.
📋 The rules
- A dropped kerb needs a s.184 crossover licence
- No automatic right — the council assesses and can refuse
- Works done only by an approved contractor or council
- Planning needed for access onto a classified/trunk road
- Driveway PD only if permeable, or impermeable ≤5m²
🔓 Exceptions
- Any-size permeable/draining driveway needs no planning permission
- Listed buildings / conservation areas / Article 4 may remove PD
- Crossovers refused near junctions, on protected verges or red routes
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A dropped kerb typically costs £1,000–£3,000+ (council fee plus approved-contractor works). If you lay an impermeable, non-draining surface over 5m² without permission, you need a planning application (England householder fee £548; curtilage works £272). Driving over the kerb without an approved crossover is an offence under the Highways Act 1980, and the authority can require reinstatement and recover its costs. Beware a myth: "it's my pavement, so I can lower the kerb myself or just bump the car up" is false — the footway and kerb are public highway: you need a s.184 licence, can't do the works yourself, and driving over the kerb without an approved crossover is an offence even if the driveway is your own land. (Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own highway authorities and rules.) Before starting: apply to your council/highway authority, use an approved contractor, and choose a permeable surface to avoid needing planning permission.
📎 Official sources
- Highways Act 1980 — s.184 →
- Planning Portal — paving your front garden →
- GOV.UK — permeable surfacing of front gardens →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I drop my own kerb?
No. The footway and kerb are part of the public highway, so you can't lower the kerb yourself. You must apply to your local highway authority for a dropped-kerb, or vehicle crossover, approval under section 184 of the Highways Act 1980, and the works must be carried out by an approved or licensed contractor, or the council's own crews.
Do I need planning permission for a driveway?
It depends on the surface and the road. Forming a driveway access onto an unclassified road is usually permitted development. But you need planning permission to access a classified or trunk road, or if you lay an impermeable, non-draining surface over 5 square metres. A permeable or properly draining driveway of any size needs no planning permission.
How much does a dropped kerb cost?
It varies by council and the work involved, but typically ranges from around £1,000 to £3,000 or more. This includes the council's application and inspection fee plus the cost of the approved contractor lowering the kerb and rebuilding the footway. Some highway authorities charge their own fees of up to around £2,000.
Can the council refuse a dropped kerb?
Yes. There's no automatic right to a dropped kerb. The highway authority assesses factors such as visibility, the gradient of the access, distance from junctions, drainage and any buried services or street furniture. If the crossing would be unsafe or impractical, for example near a busy junction or on a red route, it can be refused.
What if I drive over the kerb without dropping it?
Driving a vehicle over a footway or verge without an approved crossover is an offence under the Highways Act 1980, even if the driveway is on your own land. You can also be liable for damage to the footway, and the highway authority can require it to be reinstated and recover the costs from you.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
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