Drivers are baffled by parking rules such as strangers can leave a vehicle on your personal, privately owned, off-road drive and police are powerless to intervene in the UK, Uswitch’s survey suggested. In fact, 64% of survey respondents ‘were unaware’ of this rule. Why are police powerless? Because such parking is not a criminal matter. It is civil. The Metropolitan Police revealed:
‘If someone parks a vehicle on your driveway without your permission, this is a civil dispute and not something we can help you with’, the website emphasised.
Uswitch further suggested that your local council is unlikely to remove a stranger’s vehicle from your driveway. Whereas it ‘is required to remove abandoned vehicles’ one which has MOT, tax, and insurance is unlikely to qualify. The local authority is unlikely to conclude it is abandoned, in other words. This poses a question: how might you rid yourself of a stranger’s vehicle?
‘If you find a stranger has parked on your driveway try having a polite chat’, Uswitch Car Insurance Expert, Florence Codjoe, suggested: ‘There may have been a misunderstanding. If you cannot come to a resolution and it happens repeatedly, it may be worth contacting Citizens Advice or a solicitor’, she added.
Parking close to your home
The survey also revealed more widespread confusion. 60% of people said they are ‘entitled’ to the parking bay outside their home, for example. This is not typically correct. Most often, you have no more right to it than any other motorist. There are exceptions, though. If you have a designated parking bay, for example. Alternatively, perhaps only permit holders can park by your house.
Arguments on the street
Uswitch also claimed that such confusion causes confrontation on the street. More so in some areas than others, though. Note Nottingham, for example. Residents here are the ‘most likely’ to confront a stranger for parking by their home. 12.5% have had a row. In contrast, Southampton residents are ‘least likely’ to challenge a stranger. Only 5% have had a row. The survey also showed:
- 5% of motorists have parked on a stranger’s drive without permission
- Leeds residents are the ‘most likely’ to argue with neighbours (10% have)
- 25% of drivers have ‘no problem’ parking outside a stranger’s home
- In London and Edinburgh, 14% of people have left an ‘angry note’ on a vehicle parked close to their home
- In Manchester, Liverpool, Southampton, and Belfast 11% of people have reported a vehicle abandoned simply to have it removed from their street.
