People are still confused about pavement parking across Scotland and the rest of the UK
You should not park on the pavement in Scotland(Image: Getty)
You may have heard that pavement parking is frowned upon. But is it actually illegal and where are the restrictions in place
According to RAC Drive, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced it’s considering making the rest of the country follow suit with two places across the UK which have already made parking on pavements illegal.
These two locations are London and Scotland. And if you ignore these rules, motorists may see themselves slapped with with a £70 fine.
Is it illegal to park on the pavement?
Motor experts at RAC Drive explained: “Parking on the pavement is not illegal outside of London and Scotland.
Drivers should be aware of the rules(Image: Getty)
“You can, however, still get a fine for doing so in some instances, which makes the law quite a grey area.” In fact, since 1974, Highway Code rule 244 has stated that drivers “MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it.”
Interestingly, they point out there are two key words you need to be aware of – this includes the words “must not” and “should not.” With this in mind, they note: “In London and Scotland, you must not park on the pavement, the must indicating there is legislation behind this rule and you could receive a fine for breaking it.
“However, outside of the capital, Scotland, or “elsewhere”, the Highway Code states drivers should not park on the pavement, meaning it is advisory and not, therefore, backed up by any legislation.”
Why is it illegal in only London and Scotland?
A Private Members’ Bill aimed at making pavement parking illegal across the UK was introduced in Parliament in 2015. However, it failed to progress past the second reading in the House of Commons due to concerns about where residents of narrow streets could park if off-street spaces were unavailable.
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibits pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs. There is of course specific exemptions granted by local authorities such as allowing safe access for emergency vehicles.
Since December 2023, local authorities can fine drivers £100 for parking on the pavement, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. As of June 2025, nowhere else in the UK has banned parking on the pavement, RAC stated.
How much will I be finedfor parking on a pavement?
The fine could be hefty(Image: Getty)
In Scotland, drivers can be fined £100; reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. The fine for parking on the pavement varies across London.
Transport for London currently manages 5% of the capital’s roads, where drivers can face a penalty of up to £130 for parking on pavements – or half that amount if paid within 14 days. The Greater London Council (General Powers) Act prohibits motorists from parking on urban roads with their vehicle’s wheels on pavements, grass verges, or any land situated between carriageways.
What about the rest of England?
Whether you’re going on a trip or live in England, Rule 242 states: “You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road.” Using the word “must not” means, according to the RAC, if “your car is reported or seen by a police officer and judged to be either in a dangerous position or causing an unnecessary obstruction of the road, you could receive a Fixed Penalty Notice.”
In the rest of the UK, pavement parking is allowed unless explicitly banned by a local authority via a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which will be indicated on nearby road signs, they conclude.