Parking on the pavement is illegal in Scotland, and drivers who break the rule can be hit with a £100 fine. The ban, which has been in force for several years, is still catching motorists out, and it applies only in Scotland and London across the UK.
What the law says
The parking prohibitions came into force under the Transport Scotland Act of 2019, making it illegal to park on pavements, including on dropped kerbs. Full national enforcement began on December 11 2023, giving local authorities the powers to enforce the new parking offences.
The ban was introduced to improve accessibility for pedestrians and prevent damage to footpaths. According to Road Safety Scotland, parking on the pavement forces people onto the road and increases the risk of accidents.
Who is exempt?
There are very few exceptions to the rule. Emergency services on active duty or medical practitioners in urgent situations are mostly exempt. Council and statutory services such as roadworkers, waste collection operatives, and urgent maintenance vehicles are also exempt.
Commercial or postal delivery vehicles may park for a maximum of 20 minutes if no alternative road space is available and pedestrian clearance is maintained. However, all exceptions are only valid if at least 1.5m of pavement remains clear and there is no other reasonable parking available.
Local exemptions and fines
Local authorities in Scotland can exempt certain areas of pavement from the national ban if they feel it is necessary. These designated exemptions mean councils can formally waive the rule on specific streets where pavement width allows, and they will be clearly marked with official signs.
Drivers can check their local authority's website for localised exemption maps or rules. The penalty level is set at £100, but the fine is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
