Motorists are at risk of falling foul of three little-known parking rules which could see road users slapped with a hefty £1,000 fine. Keith Hawes, Director of Nationwide Vehicle Contracts warned road users could break a rule they didn’t even know existed in a major blow to drivers in 2026.
According to the experts, more drivers than ever before are being fined for overlooking Rule 248 of the Highway Code. This states individuals must not park on a road at night facing against the direction of traffic. This obscure rule sounds completely harmless, but it’s a risk because a car’s front headlights won’t reflect in the same way as the rear lights.
This makes stationary vehicles harder to spot, potentially creating a serious obstacle in a safety risk. According to experts, the penalty for non-compliance is steep, with cars likely to face a £1,000 fine while even higher charges could be applied to large vehicles and vans.
Keith explained: “Fines are going up, and enforcement is getting tougher. Drivers are being hit for mistakes they genuinely don’t realise are offences, and the penalties can be eye‑watering.
“Parking the wrong way at night is catching people out everywhere. It feels harmless, but the law treats it as a serious safety risk. Many drivers don’t find out until a £1,000 fine lands on their doorstep.”
However, it doesn’t stop there, with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts also warning that other simple issues could catch out road users. Parking more than 50cm away from the kerb is against the rules, with wardens able to issue penalties for causing an obstruction.
The experts also explained that honking a horn while the car is parked is also a problem that is likely to result in penalties. Highway Code Rule 112 states that the car horn should only ever be used while the vehicle is moving.
The rule also makes clear that the car horn must only be used to warn other road users of an individual’s presence. Generally, drivers must never sound their horn in a built-up area at night, with restrictions usually between 11.30 pm and 7am.
The misuse of a car horn usually leads to a fixed penalty notice and around a £30 fine, but this can rise to as much as £1,000 if the case is taken to court.
Keith added: “If you think a penalty is unfair, don’t panic. Gather your evidence, check the rules for that location, and appeal quickly. A large number of fines can be overturned if the driver acts early and the operator hasn’t followed procedure.”
