Parking A Car - How To Park A Car

It is always best, and safest, to park your car off the road or in a car park. If you have to park on the road, use your common sense and choose a safe place. Ask the questions:

• Is it safe?
• Is it convenient?
• Is it legal?

Road Signs and Markings

Road signs and markings will help you decide when and where you can park your car.

You must not park on:

• yellow lines during times of operation shown on nearby time plates
• double yellow lines
• the approach to pedestrian crossings
• school entrances
• within 10 metres of a junction
• bus stops, tram stops or taxi ranks
• the carriageway or hard shoulder of a motorway - unless in an emergency
• a cycle track or lane
• a bend
• in front of an entrance to a property
• where the curb has been lowered to help wheelchair users
• in any other restricted place.

Using hazard warning lights while parking or stopping in a no parking or restricted zone will not elevate you above the law.

Entrance into a controlled parking zone	End of controlled parking zone	Parking place for solo motorcyclists	Parking restricted to permit holders	No stopping	No waiting

School Entrance. No parking or waiting

A double yellow line indicates no waiting or parking at anytime.	A single yellow indicates no waiting or parking during times shown. The times shown will be on a sign near-by.	Bus stop. You must not park or stop at a bus stop.	Keep clear - do not block this part of the road.	Loading bay - keep clear.	Parking space reserved for vehicles named.	Waiting or parking is limited to the duration specified during the days and times shown.

When Parking On The Road

• always use the MSM/PSL routine. If necessary you must signal
• take some time to plan your parking manoeuvre
• manoeuvre your car slowly
• avoid touching the kerb with your tyres, as this can weaken them and cause possible faults
• leave enough room between vehicles, giving you and other drivers enough room to exit your cars
• always try and park on the left-hand side of the road
• look out for other road users before opening your door.

Parking On Hills

When you park facing uphill:

• park your car as close to the nearside kerb as you can (if there is one)
• leave your steering wheel turned to the right, so if the car rolls backwards, the front wheels will be stopped by the kerb
• if there is no kerb, leave your steering wheel turned to the left, so if your car rolls back it won't roll into the road
• leave the car in first gear
• apply the parking brake firmly.

When you park facing downhill:

• leave the steering wheel turned to the left, so the kerb will stop ant forward movement
• leave your car in reverse gear
• apply the parking brake firmly.

Parking A Car At Night

At night, you can park your car without lights on roads with a speed limit of 30 mph or less. Of course, you must comply with any local parking restrictions, and you must not park within 10 metres of a junction.

You must also park parallel to, and close to, the side of the road or in a designated place and facing in the direction of the traffic flow.

If you have to park on any other road, you should:

• park on the left-hand side of the road
• leave your side or parking lights on - unless a sign indicates that you shouldn't.

You must also never:

• leave your car parked on the right-hand side of the road (facing against the flow of traffic), except when parking in a one-way street.

Remember - it is always better to park your car away from such a road.

You Must:

• switch off your engine
• apply the parking brake

Whenever you park at night, never leave your headlights on. In fact, even if your pull over and stop for a short while, you should turn your headlights off. It is an offence to leave them on as they can cause dazzle to on-coming drivers.