Many motorists who are unable to find a car park space will choose to park on the street, assuming it's perfectly legal - provided there aren't any restrictions such as double yellow lines. But they may be unaware of a little-known rule that could land them with a parking fine.
The phrase double parking is typically understood as blocking another vehicle by stopping next to or behind it. However, double parking regulations can equally apply to vehicles positioned along the kerbside.
This is because, according to The Highway Code: "You must not leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road."
A point that is frequently missed is that vehicles must be parked sufficiently close to the kerb. Within 50cm, to be precise. Motorists can fall foul of the code if "no part of the vehicle is within 50cm of the edge of the carriageway (kerb line)", with owners facing a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
For context, 50cm is roughly equivalent to the width of a wheelie bin lid, reports Leicestershire Live. There is an exception if your car is "wholly within a marked parking bay".
When positioning your vehicle away from the kerb in a bay, ensure you've remained completely inside the marked boundaries. Some drivers encounter the reverse problem and choose to park on the pavement instead, but this can equally lead to a penalty.
While pavement parking isn't illegal outside London and Scotland, causing an obstruction could still land you with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Although there has been talk of banning pavement parking across England entirely, no firm date has been set for when this might happen, and it is worth noting that rules differ depending on your local area.
PCN costs also fluctuate depending on where you are, but generally range between £50-80. Many councils will knock up to half off if you settle the fine within a fortnight, although extra charges can be added if it goes unpaid beyond 30 days.
Drivers who ignore their PCN risk being taken to court, which could pile hundreds of pounds onto the initial penalty. It's also among the most common reasons people end up with a County Court Judgment (CCJ), which can seriously damage your credit score.
