🅿️ Can I park on the pavement?

With conditions

Quick answer

It depends on where you are: pavement parking is banned outright in London and across Scotland, but there's no blanket ban in the rest of England or Wales. In London it's been illegal since the GLC (General Powers) Act 1974 — never park with a wheel on the footway unless a sign or bay allows it. In Scotland, the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 banned pavement parking, dropped-kerb parking and double parking from December 2023. In the rest of England and Wales there's no general ban, but it can still be illegal if it causes an obstruction or blocks a dropped kerb, and the Highway Code (rule 244) says you "should not" do it. A 2026 reform lets English councils bring in their own bans. In short: depends on the location.

📋 The rules

London: banned (GLC Act 1974), unless a sign/bay allows
Scotland: banned nationwide since Dec 2023
Rest of England/Wales: no blanket ban, but no obstruction
Never block a dropped kerb — an offence everywhere enforced
Highway Code rule 244: you should not park on the footway

🔓 Exceptions

Loading/unloading: a short exemption (often up to 20 mins)
Signed or marked authorised footway bays are allowed
A Blue Badge does NOT override a pavement-parking ban

⚠️ Penalties & fines

In London a pavement-parking ticket (PCN code 62) is £160, halved to £80 if paid within 14 days (up from £130 in April 2025). In Scotland it's £100, reduced to £50 within 14 days. In the rest of England, where enforcement runs through the obstruction route, the police can issue a fixed penalty of around £70, and a prosecution for wilful obstruction (s.137 Highways Act 1980) brings a fine on conviction. A 2026 devolution Act now lets English councils opt in to their own footway-parking bans, but there's no single national ban yet. Beware a myth: "it's always illegal to park on the pavement in the UK" is false outside London, Scotland and the NI scheme — but the opposite, "it's fine anywhere off the yellow lines," is also wrong, because London and Scotland ban it regardless of markings. To stay safe: never block a dropped kerb or the footway, and check local signs.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked

Is it illegal to park on the pavement?

It depends where. In London and across Scotland, pavement parking is banned outright. In the rest of England and Wales there's no blanket ban, but it can still be illegal if your car causes an obstruction or blocks a dropped kerb. The Highway Code says drivers should not park on the pavement.

What about parking on the pavement in London?

In London it has been illegal since the GLC (General Powers) Act 1974 to park with any wheel on the footway, unless a sign or marked bay specifically permits it. Enforcement is by penalty charge notice, code 62. So in London you should assume pavement parking is not allowed unless told otherwise.

Has Scotland banned pavement parking?

Yes. Under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, pavement parking, parking across a dropped kerb and double parking were banned nationwide, with enforcement from December 2023. The standard penalty is £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. There are limited exemptions, such as short loading.

Can I park on the pavement to load or unload?

In most schemes there is a short exemption for loading and unloading, often up to around 20 minutes, provided you don't cause an obstruction. Even so, you must not block a dropped kerb or the path for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Outside the exemption, the ban or obstruction rules apply.

What's the fine for pavement parking?

In London the penalty is £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days. In Scotland it's £100, reduced to £50 within 14 days. In the rest of England, where it's dealt with as an obstruction, the police can issue a fixed penalty of around £70, with a court fine possible on prosecution.

🔎 Common searches

What people search to land here:

“can i park on the pavement uk”
“is pavement parking illegal”
“pavement parking fine london”
“scotland pavement parking ban”
“blocking dropped kerb fine”
“parking on footway law”