Highway code information that every driver should know

239: Use off-street parking areas, or bays marked out with white lines on the road as parking places, wherever possible. If you have to stop on the road side

do not park facing the traffic flow
stop as close as you can to the side
do not stop too close to a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge, remember, the occupant may need more room to get in or out
you MUST switch off the engine, headlights and fog lights
you MUST apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle
you MUST ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door. Check for cyclists or other traffic
it is safer for your passengers (especially children) to get out of the vehicle on the side next to the kerb
put all valuables out of site and make sure your vehicle is secure
lock your vehicle.

Laws CUR reg 98,105 & 107, RVLR reg 27 & RTA 1988 sect 42

240: You MUST NOT stop or park on

the carriageway or the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency (see Rule 270)
a pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by the zig-zag lines (see Rule 191)
a Clearway (see Traffic signs section - Page 107)
taxi bays as indicated by upright signs and markings
an Urban Clearway within its hours of operation, even when a broken white line is on youor side of the road, except to pick up or set down passengers (see Traffic signs section - Page 107)
a road marked with double white lines, except to pick up or set down passengers
a tram or cycle lane during its period of operation
a cycle track
red lines, in the case of specially designated 'red routes', unless otherwise indicated by signs.

Any vehicle may enter a bus lane to stop, load or unload where this is not prohibited (see Rule 141)

Laws MT(E&W)R regs 7 & 9, MT(S)R regs 6 & 8, ZPPPCRGD regs 18 & 20, RTRA sects 5, 6 & 8, TSRGD regs 10, 26 & 27, RTA 1988 sects 21 (1)& 36

241: You MUST NOT park in parking spaces reserved for specific users, such as Blue Badge holders, residents or motorcycles unless entitled to do so.

Laws CSDPA sect 21 & RTRA sects 5 & 8

242: You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road.

Laws RTA 1988, sects 22 & CUR reg 103

243: DO NOT stop or park

near a school entrance
anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank
on the approach to a level crossing/tramway crossing
opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked vehicle
where you would force other traffic to enter a tram lane
where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles
in front of an entrance to a property
on a bend
where you would obstruct cyclists' use of cycle facilities except when forced to do so by stationary vehicle

244: You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.

Law GL (GP)A sect15

245: Controlled Parking Zones. The zone entry signs indicate the times when the waiting restrictions within the zone are in force. Parking may be allowed in some places at other times. Otherwise parking will be within separately signed and marked bays.

246: Goods vehicles. Vehicles with a maximum laden weight of over 7.5 tonnes (including any trailer) MUST NOT be parked on a verge, pavement or any land situated between carriageways, without police permission. The only exception is when parking is essential for loading and unloading, in which case the vehicle MUST NOT be left unattended.

Law RTA 1988 sect 19

247: Loading and unloading. Do not load or unload where there are yellow markings on the kerb and upright signs advise restrictions are in place (see On the kerb section - Page 115 - 116). This may be permitted where parking is otherwise restricted. On red routes, specially marked and signed bays indicate where and when loading and unloading is permitted.

Law RTRA sects 5 & 8

Parking at Night

248: You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.

Laws CUR reg 101 & RVLR reg 24

249: All vehicles MUST display parking lights when parked on a road or a lay-by on a road with a speed limit greater than 30 mph. (48km/h)

Law RVLR reg 24

250: Cars, goods vehicles not exceeding 1525kg unladen weight, invalid carriages and motorcycles and pedal cycles may be parked without lights on a road (or lay-by) with a speed limit of 30 mph (48km/h) or less if they are

at least 10 metres (32 feet) away from any junction, close to the kerb and facing in the direction of the traffic flow
in a recognised parking place or lay-by.

Other vehicles and trailers, and all vehicles with projecting loads, MUST NOT be left on a road at night without lights.

Law RVLR reg 24 & CUR reg 82(7)

251: Parking in fog

It is especially dangerous to park on the road in fog. If it is unavoidable, leave your parking lights or sidelights on.

252: Parking on hills
Tyre position parking uphill

If you park on a hill you should

park close to the kerb and apply the handbrake firmly select a forward gear and turn your steering wheel away from the kerb when facing uphill
select reverse gear and turn your steering wheel towards the kerb when facing downhill use 'park' if your car has an automatic gearbox.

Extracts are taken from the Highway Code

Highway code information that every driver should know

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