Police situation recommendation on what to do if somebody is obstructing your driveway
Police and councils have given specific guidance on what to do if a car is blocking your driveway and preventing you from getting in or out of your property
People parking across your drive – even temporarily – can be a major cause of anxiety. Police have issued advice about what to do
Homeowners often find themselves at their wits’ end when faced with a vehicle obstructing their driveway – and ponder what action they can take. The culprits could be parents on the school run, delivery drivers or tradesmen carrying out nearby renovations.
But what are your options – and can the authorities step in? One such resident recently sought advice from the police on how to tackle the issue.
The query was posted on the Ask the Police website, part of the Police National Legal Database, where the frustrated homeowner asked: “Someone has parked their car and it is blocking my driveway. What shall I do?”.
The police’s initial advice is to chat with neighbours to identify the vehicle’s owner and ask them to move it if it’s blocking access to your driveway. In some areas, local councils may provide help.
The police added: “In most areas local councils have now taken on responsibility for enforcing parking provisions under what is known as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE). Under CPE, it’s an offence to park a vehicle that blocks a dropped kerb driveway. You can check if your local council has taken on CPE via the link here. GOV.UK – CPE List“.
Additional guidance states: “If your council has taken on CPE, you will usually need to report vehicles that are obstructing a dropped kerb directly to them – you can contact them via the link here GOV.UK – Find your local council.”
“Nevertheless, if CPE hasn’t been implemented in your locality, the alternative would be to contact your local police force. It’s worth noting that officers may only take action if a vehicle is stopping you from leaving your property.”
The Metropolitan Police have issued a statement tackling the issue of blocked driveways, recognising the annoyance it causes for residents. The force said: “If someone has blocked your driveway so you can’t drive in, we appreciate this can be very frustrating.”
They suggest trying to sort the situation out peacefully first: “If you can find the owner of the vehicle, we’d first recommend asking them politely to move it. If you can’t find them, try leaving a note on their windscreen. After all, they may not realise they have caused a problem.”
If these initial attempts fail to sort the matter, the Met advises getting in touch with your local council: “If this doesn’t work, please contact your local council. If a person has blocked your driveway and is preventing you from getting your own vehicle out, we may be able to help. You can report antisocial behaviour online.”
Meanwhile, the RAC has explained the legal stance regarding parking disputes: “It is perfectly legal to park outside someone’s house, unless the vehicle is blocking a driveway or a wheel is over a dropped kerb. Where no parking controls exist, drivers do not have an ‘automatic spot’ for parking outside their homes.”
They provide additional guidance for situations involving blocked access: “If your vehicle is on your driveway and another car is parked on a public highway and blocking your access out of your driveway, the council has the power to act. But if that other car is on a drive, it’s technically on private property – and the council has no authority to remove it.”
Someone parking on your driveway.
A police spokesperson explained: “If someone parks their vehicle on your driveway without your permission, this is trespassing. This is a civil dispute and not something we can help you with. If it happens repeatedly with the same person / vehicle you might want to seek advice from Citizens Advice or a solicitor, but we would always recommend having a polite word with the driver first, as there may have been a simple misunderstanding.”
Designated parking spaces.
Police stated: “If someone has parked in your designated parking space without your permission, our first advice is always to try and resolve the issue peacefully yourself. If you can’t find the driver to speak to them, try leaving a polite note on their windscreen.
“If you lease a property with a parking space, please contact whoever is responsible for your building, such as the freeholder, council or managing agent.”
Should the problem persist, police recommend reporting it as antisocial behaviour.
