Car expert warns of common parking mistakes at Christmas – and hotspots to avoid

Experts have warned where motorists should not park their cars over the Christmas period – most are just common courtesy for neighbours, but others may land you with a fine

As the festive favourite song goes ‘I’m driving home for Christmas – I can’t wait to see those faces’ – and wherever you’re driving to, the fact is that you’ll need to park up somewhere when you’re visiting friends and family this Yuletide.

The likelihood is that you’ll also want to avoid hefty fines and any arguments with neighbours that aren’t yours, so experts at LeaseCar.uk have named the spots where motorists should avoid parking to avoid angry complaints and expensive penalties which could taint Christmas.

It can be all too tempting to park on the pavement, over cycle lanes, or use nearby car parks to stay overnight – but sometimes this can land you in a whole lot of trouble.

It’s recommended that you don’t park on pavements to be considerate – especially if there are double yellow lines and signage. Make sure if you’re visiting someone in London that you don’t park on pavements as it’s illegal.

Before parking in a car park, it’s also vital that you check whether overnight stays are allowed. If a car park isn’t ticketed, it may seem as though you may get away with it, but some car parks use ANPR cameras to catch sneaky visitors, and if you get caught, it could land you with a hefty post-Christmas fine.

It’s best to avoid parking in empty taxi ranks too as it’s only legal for licensed public taxis to park there – and taxi drivers will get annoyed with your inconsiderate parking.

Speaking of inconsiderate driving, it’s best to not park in front of a neighbour’s driveway. Not only is it very annoying for the owner of the driveway, but parking out in front blocks access and causes disruptions for Christmas plans that those next door have. It may seem like a simple solution – but it should be avoided at all costs.

It’s best to avoid cycle lanes too as cyclists are entitled to use them both day and night. They are there to prevent any accidents with vehicles that are parked, or not. Cyclists will be forced to swerve around parked cars, potentially putting themselves and other road users in danger.

Also, it’s best to avoid parking on a neighbours drive – it’s not against the law to, but the driveway is part of their property, so it’s an act of trespassing which is a civil offence.

The Highway Code makes it clear that it’s illegal to park vehicles overnight which are facing against the direction of the traffic flow, and the only exception to this rule is unless there is a dedicated parking space to allow drivers to do so – so don’t park in the opposite direction.

Be sure to check the signage in the area you’re staying too as you may incur a fine if there isn’t any parking allowed between certain hours.

Also, make sure you’re not parked anywhere which could prevent access for ambulances, fire engines, and police vehicles. If you park on a narrow street, it gives others significantly less chance for drivers to be able to move their vehicles quickly or legally if they’ve been drinking around the Christmas table.

Tim Alcock from LeaseCar.uk said: “This Christmas many of us will either be hosting lots of guests or be driving to friends and families’ homes to visit. And many of us drivers don;t actually know the specific places and regulations on where you can park your car overnight.

“Of course, no one wants to run the risk of parking somewhere which may result in a stolen vehicle, vandalism or an expensive fine, which will no doubt ruin Christmas.

“That’s why it’s important to check where it’s illegal to park your car overnight. Not only that, but spots which aren’t illegal, but will cause major grievances, like parking in front of your neighbour’s driveway, are inconsiderate, especially during the festive period.”

Will you be heading elsewhere for the Christmas period? Let us know in the comments.