On-street Parking Restrictions

On-street parking places may be designated for a particular class of vehicle (e.g. solo motorcycles) or for a particular user (e.g. permit holders or disabled badge holders). Parking may be free or paid for (e.g. "pay and display" or parking meters). There may be a time limit on the period of stay and a minimum time before returning to a particular parking place. Some bays may be designated for use by more than one class of vehicle or user, either at the same time or at different times during the day. Bays are generally marked in white, and are either continuous or divided into individual spaces. They may include words on the carriageway indicating the use of the bay (e.g. DISABLED). Plates are normally erected adjacent to the carriageway to give details of the parking controls. Where a plate does not indicate the days of the week, the restrictions apply at the same times on every day, including Sunday. Where the time of day is not shown, the controls apply for 24 hours. If a bank holiday falls on a day when the controls are in operation, the controls apply in the normal way unless the plate states that they do not. Special controls may apply on days when a large event is being held at a nearby stadium or arena; these will also be shown on the plates.

The above signs indicate free on-street parking places reserved at all times, with no time limit, for particular classes of vehicles. Other signs may indicate more specific parking controls.

Where parking-place controls do not operate at all times, any vehicle may park in the bay without payment or time limit unless other restrictions are indicated on the signs. Parking bays may be reserved for more than one type of user –at the same time, at different times, or a combination of both.

Although vehicles should not generally be parked on verges and footways (it is unlawful in London and some other cities), this maybe allowed on certain narrow streets where parked vehicles would not obstruct pedestrians. There are special signs to indicate footway parking. There may also be white bays indicating where parking is permitted. Where there are controls applying tot he parking place, such as pay and display, these should be indicated by separate signs.