Police have clarified what drivers should do when a vehicle blocks their driveway, advising that the matter is usually dealt with by the local council rather than the police.
In guidance published on the official “ask the police” website, administered by forces across the UK, officers said the first step should be to ask neighbours whether they know who owns the car so it can be moved.
Council Responsibility Under Civil Parking Enforcement
If that fails, police confirmed that in most areas local councils have taken on responsibility for enforcing parking provisions under what is called Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE).
“Under CPE, it's an offence to park a vehicle that blocks a dropped kerb driveway. You can check if your local council has taken on CPE via the link here: GOV.UK - CPE List,” the police advised.
“If your council has taken on CPE, you will usually need to report vehicles that are obstructing a dropped kerb directly to them – you can contact them via the link below: GOV.UK - Find your local council.”
When Police Will Act
If the council has not taken on the responsibility for CPE, motorists will need to contact their local force, but officers will only act in certain circumstances.
“The police/council policy for dealing with such matters may vary between forces/councils. Some police forces may only attend if your car has been blocked in and you cannot get out,” they said.
The rules also differ if someone parks directly on a driveway rather than blocking the exit. 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.”
