by Paul Lines

Created on: December 16, 2008   Last Updated: December 18, 2008

The UK, with its high density of vehicles, has a number of parking issues that have needed to be addressed. Most family units now have two cars and an increasing number have a third vehicle, which in fact means that there are more automobiles than drivers. Over the years this has led to a proliferation of parking rules and regulations, which apply to both off road and on road parking.

When parking off road, which includes car parks, retail parks and service areas, there are several points to be remembered. Firstly, it is important to identify whether there is a cost involved. For car parking in major towns and cities, such as London there will almost certainly be a charge, which is usually determined by the length of stay. However, there are some car parks where there may be a free parking period, for example two hours. If you outstay this period you might be fined. It is important to read the instruction signs to determine what the rules are for each car park you enter. Another point to remember is that if you do not park carefully a within designated parking bay, which causes part of your vehicle to stray over the line of the next bay, you may also be fined.

With off road parking it is also important to ensure that you are not parking on private property. For instance, if you are parking at a restaurant, public house or retailer's private car park and not using the facilities it is likely that you might find your vehicle being wheel clamped, requiring a significant cost to be paid for its release. These costs can be as high as 100 ($160).

On road parking restrictions can best be explained in terms of their impact upon two areas of driving, these being open road and urban parking.

Open road parking

Most of the UK dual carriageways and other country roads have certain parking restrictions. There are restrictions that are obvious and others not so obvious. In terms of the obvious these are identified by a variety of coloured lines that run along the nearside of the road.

If there is a broken white line, this means that it is possible to park as long as all other factors are favourable, for example where such an act does not cause an obstruction. Where the white line is continuous parking is limited to need and safety. Making deliveries or allowing passengers to alight are considered to fall within this category. Unbroken red lines denote an area where stopping or parking is forbidden at any time and violation of this code constitutes a driving offence.

Parking on a

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