Having a vehicle parked across your driveway can be maddening for any householder. In one instance, an exasperated resident turned to police for guidance on how to handle the situation.
They were given clear instructions in reply. On the Ask the Police website, run by the Police National Legal Database, they asked: "Someone has parked their car and it is blocking my driveway. What shall I do?"
The first step, according to police, is to ask around locally to find out who owns the vehicle so it can be relocated if it's preventing you from accessing your drive. In certain areas, your local authority might be able to help, reports the Daily Record.
The website explained: "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."
The guidance went on: "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."
However, if your local authority hasn't implemented CPE, you'll need to get in touch with your local police service. But keep in mind - officers may only intervene if a vehicle has been trapped, stopping you from leaving.
The Metropolitan Police have advice about blocked driveways, recognising the frustration it can cause.
The force said: "If a vehicle is blocking the entrance and stopping you from driving onto your driveway, this is not a police matter.
"Your local council may be able to assist, but policies will vary depending on where you live. We'd always recommend having a polite word with the driver first, as there may have been a misunderstanding.
"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 website has information on the laws surrounding parking disputes. It says: "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 where access is obstructed: "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.
"Other situations in which parking isn’t permitted include streets governed by residents’ parking permits or any of the restrictions outlined above, i.e. double yellow lines."
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Blocking a driveway is illegal, but police only help if you're trapped inside and can't get out.
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This affects millions of homeowners who face daily parking disputes and need to know their rights.
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Most councils now handle parking enforcement, but policies vary significantly between different areas.