Where can I park?

Local Authorities are only able to make parking regulations and enforce parking contraventions in accordance with the law.  This means Local Authorities must comply with regulations that say how parking controls are signed. 

A single yellow line on the road means that, at some time during the day, there will be parking restrictions.  Single yellow lines are accompanied by signs that tell you when you can and cannot park there.  If you park on a yellow line within these restricted times, you will be parked in contravention of the parking regulations.  There are some exemptions from the regulations - Blue Badge holders for example, who might be able to park as long as they are clearly displaying their badge and clock.  

If you do park in contravention, many Local Authorities will have Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) who will enforce the regulations and could issue you with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).  You have a right to challenge this PCN and full details of how to do this will be on the reverse of the ticket. 

In some places vehicles are allowed to park, usually in a bay, under certain conditions – such as payment at a meter or by purchasing a pay and display voucher.  Other examples are resident permits, doctors or traders.  Whenever you want to park you should check the nearby signs and most importantly that you are parked completely within the bay markings. 

Local Authorities also operate car parks that will also have regulations. Again, they will have signs that advise you of maximum length of stay, special Blue Badge holder bays and places where vehicles should not park.  These car parks could operate various methods for payment – Pay and Display, where you buy your ticket and leave it in clear view inside you car, or Pay on Foot where you take a ticket on entry to the car park then pay at a machine before returning to your car. Some car parks will have CEOs who can issue a PCN if you have, for example, failed to display a valid parking ticket. These can be challenged in same way as a Penalty Charge Notice issued to a vehicle parked in the street. 

Double yellow lines mean that parking is restricted ‘at any time’. Local Authorities are not obliged to put up a sign to accompany an ‘at any time’ restriction. However in some areas (like holiday resorts) the duration of the restrictions may only apply during a season (such as May to September); if so, a sign will be erected. 

For full details of parking restrictions in your area it is always best to check with your Local Authority if you are in any doubt.

PRIVATE CAR PARKS operate under different regulations, and it is always advisable to carefully read the signs in any privately run car park or private road.

Below is a list of car parks that APCOA operate for clients: