UK drivers have been warned that a common supermarket parking mistake could lead to fines of up to £1,000. Many motorists mistakenly believe that supermarket car parks are exempt from standard road rules, but experts caution that the Highway Code remains fully enforceable in these areas.
Road safety expert Sarah Jenkins from My Car Reg Check highlighted Rule 244 of the Highway Code, which prohibits parking in disabled bays without a valid Blue Badge. She stated that misuse in private car parks can result in a £70–£100 Penalty Charge Notice, while statutory bays enforced under traffic regulations could see fines escalate to £1,000, especially if fraudulent badge use is involved.
Jenkins also warned that parent-and-child spaces are closely monitored, with supermarkets using CCTV and private enforcement teams. Offenders risk fines, enforcement action, or being banned from the car park entirely. She emphasised that drivers should treat these areas with the same caution as public roads.
Other applicable rules include Rule 240, which prohibits parking on zig-zag lines near pedestrian crossings; Rule 239, which warns against obstructive parking; Rule 146, which requires careful driving; and Rule 238, which makes it illegal to park facing the wrong direction at night in unlit car parks.
