Parking regulations for commercial vehicles
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As a trader, using your van on a near day-by-day basis to move your gear and materials to and from worksites. And as you’ve no doubt discovered over time, it can sometimes be difficult finding somewhere to park near your customers’ homes, especially if they don’t have a driveway.
Now, your first instinct might be to park up on the road nearby. However, if you don’t know the local parking laws, then there’s a very good chance you might get ticketed for your trouble.
Naturally, no one wants to fork out for parking fines after a long day's work, so it’s always worth asking customers about available parking before visiting them. But if they’re unsure of the local parking regulations, then our guide to parking commercial vehicles on residential streets should include all the information you need to know – including some surprising rules for parking commercial vehicles on residential streets at night.
What is the law on parking vans in residential areas?
While there are certainly areas where you cannot legally park in the UK, the good news is that, in most cases, you will be able to park your van outside your customers' homes as you would park a car.
However, what is important is that you make sure you park your van legally. Laws on parking vans in residential areas are very clear about not blocking traffic and minimising potential danger to pedestrians or other road users.
The Highway Code says where possible vehicles should park:
- in off-street parking areas
- in parking bays on the road marked out with white lines
If you do need to park on the roadside, you can, but you’ll need to follow these additional rules:
- your vehicle must face the same direction as the traffic on your side of the road
- you must stop as close as possible to the side of the road
- you must not stop too close to any vehicle with a visibly displayed Blue Badge.
When stopping on the roadside, you must also switch off the engine, headlights, and fog lights, apply the handbrake, ensure you don’t hit anyone when you open your door, and lock the vehicle when you leave it.
Things to avoid for commercial vehicles parking in residential areas
If you are parking your van in a residential area, the Highway Code clearly states that you must not park in a manner that impedes any of the following:
- you must not block the carriageway, an emergency area or a hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency.
- you must not park on double yellow lines at any time.
- you may only park on single yellow lines during the times shown on any nearby signs.
- you must not park on any school entrance markings or anywhere with signs that say you can’t (eg, red routes).
- you must not park on a pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by the zigzag lines.
- you may not park in spaces reserved for specific users, such as Blue Badge holders, residents or motorcycles (unless you’re entitled to do so).
- you cannot park in an urban clearway within its hours of operation, except to pick up or set down passengers.
- you cannot park on a road marked with double white lines, even when a broken white line is on your side of the road, except to pick up or set down passengers, or to load or unload goods.
- you cannot park in a tram or cycle lane during its period of operation.
- you cannot park on a cycle track.
- you cannot park in a dangerous place or where your van will block the road.
- you cannot park on the pavement in London, and you shouldn’t do this elsewhere unless signs permit it.
- you cannot park in taxi bays.
For a full list of areas where you cannot park your van, we recommend visiting the government website for more information.
Other important van parking regulations to be aware of
Besides the important rules we’ve just touched on around commercial vehicle sparking in residential areas, the following are all useful laws to know in case you need to park your van in specific circumstances:
Parking your van at night
In case you weren’t already aware, there are different rules for commercial vehicles parking in residential areas at night, especially if you have a larger-than-average van. These include:
- Parking your van so that it faces the same direction as the flow of traffic, unless you’re in a marked parking space.
- In areas with a speed limit greater than 30mph, you must have your parking lights on, both at the roadside and in a lay-by.
- If your vehicle is a larger van with a maximum loaded weight of more than 2.5 tonnes (eg, a Ford Transit), you must display parking lights if you leave it on any road overnight, regardless of the speed limit.
Alternatively, if your van is lighter than 2.5 tonnes, you don’t need parking lights if your van is:
- At least 10 metres (32 feet) away from any junction, close to the kerb, and facing in the same direction as the traffic flow.
- In a recognised parking place or lay-by.
Parking your van in fog
The Highway Code says that you should avoid parking your van on the road in fog. However, if this is unavoidable, for instance, in an emergency, you should leave your sidelights and parking lights on to make your van as visible as possible.
Parking your van on a hill
In the event that you have to park on a hill, you must do all of the following:
- Park as close to the kerb as you can.
- Apply the handbrake firmly.
- Use the ‘park’ setting if your car has an automatic gearbox.
- If you’re facing uphill, select a forward gear and turn your steering wheel away from the kerb.
- If you’re facing downhill, put your car in reverse and turn your steering wheel towards the kerb.
Parking large goods vehicles
If you have to use a large commercial vehicle which has a maximum loaded weight of more than 7.5 tonnes (including any trailer), you must not park it on a verge, pavement, or any land between carriageways – unless you have police permission.
The only exception to this rule is if you’re loading and unloading, as long as someone stays with your vehicle at all times.
Large goods vehicles
If you have to use a large commercial vehicle which has a maximum loaded weight of more than 7.5 tonnes (including any trailer), you must not park it on a verge, pavement or any land between carriageways, unless you have police permission.
The only exception to this rule is if you’re loading and unloading, as long as someone stays with your vehicle at all times.
Loading and unloading
Don’t load or unload your equipment, materials or goods where there are yellow markings on the kerb and signs saying restrictions are in place.
On red routes, look out for specially marked and signposted bays showing when and where loading and unloading is permitted.
Councils and private estates might have their own rules, so keep an eye out for signs. For example, you may be able to park along some roads for short periods of time just to load or unload goods. These rules do not nullify the highway code, they are in addition to it.
Loading and unloading your van
You cannot legally load or unload your equipment, materials, or goods where there are yellow markings on the kerb and signs saying restrictions are in place. On red routes, look out for specially marked and signposted bays showing when and where loading and unloading is permitted.
Councils and private estates might have their own rules, so keep an eye out for signs. For example, you may be able to park along some roads for short periods of time just to load or unload goods.
Please bear in mind, however, that these rules do not nullify the highway code – they are in addition to it.
Can I park my van on my driveway?
If you keep your work van at your own home, it’s very important that you tell your insurer and check you’re covered against vehicle damage and theft. If it’s a company van, make sure the firm is happy for you to keep it off-site and check what the company policy says. It’s important to keep your van safe, even when parking at home.
Even if you’re using your own driveway, your home could have a clause in the deeds to prevent you parking a van there, and while rare, it never hurts to check, just in case.
If you don’t have a drive, make sure you know about any parking restrictions that apply on your road or estate. There might also be reserved areas and active prohibition times to keep note of.
On top of this, some permit parking might only be for cars or might only apply if you’re the registered owner of a vehicle. Some councils have restrictions on height, length and unladen weight (e.g., https://hackney.gov.uk/resident-permits), so make sure you check these before you park up.
Finally, the parking of commercial vehicles in residential areas has the potential to cause problems with neighbours, even when you’re not legally doing anything wrong. To avoid disputes, try not to park where your van could block light getting into people’s homes, or where you might restrict their view when they’re pulling in and out of their driveway.
What to do if you get a parking fine or ticket
Finding a parking ticket stuck to your car windscreen isn't nice. Fortunately, if you know that you’ve parked correctly, then you are well within your rights to contest a parking ticket. Our guide on how to contest a parking ticket, and how to avoid getting more, will walk you through the process for how to do this.
Grow your business with Which?
Hopefully, you now have a much better idea of the various laws on parking vans in residential areas. Even if you’re an experienced trader, it’s always worth brushing up on these laws every so often, and if you’re about to buy a small van for your business, then knowing where you can and can’t park beforehand may save you many a headache.
And speaking of saving yourself from headaches, if you’re looking to expand your customer base, and want to speed up the process, then you might want to consider becoming a Which? Trusted Trader.
As a Which? Trusted Trader, you’ll be put through our rigorous assessment process to prove to customers that you’re a reputable business to work with. Not only that, but you’ll get access to your very own business page to display examples of your work and previous customer reviews.
