Police have clarified the steps homeowners should take when their driveway is blocked by another car, following a query on the official 'ask the police' website run by UK police forces. The advice covers when to contact the council and when officers may intervene.
First Steps: Ask Neighbours
On the site, a resident asked: "Someone has parked their car and it is blocking my driveway - what shall I do?" In response, the police said: "If the vehicle is blocking access to your driveway you should first make enquiries with the neighbours to see if they know who the car belongs to, so they can move it."
If that does not resolve the issue, the next step depends on whether the local council has taken on Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE). Under CPE, it is an offence to park a vehicle that blocks a dropped kerb driveway. Residents can check if their council has adopted CPE via the GOV.UK CPE List.
When to Contact the Council or Police
The police explained: "If your council has taken on CPE, you will usually need to report vehicles that are obstructing a dropped kerb directly to them." If the council has not adopted CPE, residents need to contact their local police force. The response noted that policies may vary between forces and councils, adding: "Some police forces may only attend if your car has been blocked in and you cannot get out."
The RAC has also provided guidance on legal standing in parking disputes, stating: "It is perfectly legal to park outside someone's house, unless the vehicle is blocking a driveway or a wheel is over a dropped kerb. Where no parking controls exist, drivers do not have an 'automatic spot' for parking outside their homes." The RAC added that if a vehicle on a public highway blocks access out of a driveway, the council has the power to act, but if the other car is on a drive, it is technically on private property and the council has no authority to remove it.
Trespassing and Designated Spaces
Regarding a car parked on a driveway without permission, a police spokesperson said: "If someone parks their vehicle on your driveway without your permission, this is trespassing. This is a civil dispute and not something we can help you with. If it happens repeatedly with the same person / vehicle you might want to seek advice from Citizens Advice or a solicitor, but we would always recommend having a polite word with the driver first, as there may have been a simple misunderstanding."
For designated parking spaces, the police advised: "If someone has parked in your designated parking space without your permission, our first advice is always to try and resolve the issue peacefully yourself. If you can't find the driver to speak to them, try leaving a polite note on their windscreen. If you lease a property with a parking space, please contact whoever is responsible for your building, such as the freeholder, council or managing agent." If the problem continues, the police recommend reporting it as antisocial behaviour.
