Dropped kerb parking rules: can you park there?

What counts as a dropped kerb

A dropped kerb is a section of pavement that has been lowered to meet the road, at a driveway or at a pedestrian or wheelchair crossing point. It is there to let people or vehicles cross between the road and the footway, so blocking it defeats the point and is treated as a parking contravention.

The rule: no parking across it

You must not stop or park across a dropped kerb. Councils with civil enforcement powers can issue a Penalty Charge Notice for it even where there are no yellow lines or markings. The dropped kerb itself is the restriction. This has applied in London since 2008 and is widely enforced elsewhere. It does not matter whether the lowered kerb serves your own driveway or a neighbour's.

Parking opposite or next to a dropped kerb

The ban is on parking across the lowered section. Parking next to (adjacent to) a dropped kerb, on the normal kerb beside it, is generally fine as long as no part of the car overhangs the lowered section. Parking opposite a dropped kerb is not banned outright either, but the Highway Code warns against it where you would obstruct access, and on a narrow road a vehicle opposite can stop someone using their driveway, which a council can treat as an obstruction. The safe rule: leave the whole dropped section, and the swing-in room opposite it, clear.

If someone blocks your driveway

A vehicle parked across your dropped kerb can be reported to your council's parking enforcement team, which can issue a PCN. The police usually only step in where a vehicle is causing a genuine danger or obstruction to the highway. If you are blocked in, the council route is normally the fastest lawful option, and you should not block someone else in while trying to get out.

White H-bar markings

Some driveways have a white "H-bar" (an access protection marking) painted across the dropped kerb. It is advisory: a visible reminder not to block the access, rather than a separately enforceable line. But because parking across the dropped kerb behind it is already a contravention, the H-bar effectively reinforces a rule that is enforceable anyway.

When the kerb is the only clue

Dropped-kerb rules are the kind that bite precisely because there is no sign or line to warn you. Kerbnow's right-now answer and sign scanner help you read the spot before you commit, and a PCN evidence pack is on the way if you do get an unfair ticket.

Frequently asked questions

Can you park across a dropped kerb?

No. Parking across a dropped kerb, the lowered section of pavement at a driveway or pedestrian crossing point, is a parking contravention in most of the UK, and councils can issue a PCN even where there are no yellow lines or markings. It applies whether you are blocking your own driveway or someone else's.

Can you park opposite a dropped kerb?

There is no blanket ban on parking opposite a dropped kerb the way there is on parking across one. But Highway Code rule 243 says you should not stop or park opposite a dropped kerb where doing so would obstruct it, and on a narrow road parking opposite can stop someone using the kerb to get on or off their driveway, which a council can treat as an obstruction. If your vehicle leaves clear room for access, parking opposite is normally fine.

Can you park next to or adjacent to a dropped kerb?

The contravention is parking across the lowered section of kerb, not parking on the normal kerb beside it. Parking immediately next to (adjacent to) a dropped kerb is generally allowed, provided no part of your vehicle overhangs the lowered section and there are no yellow lines or other restrictions in force. Leave the whole dropped section clear.

Can I be ticketed for blocking a dropped kerb without any lines?

Yes. Since 2008 in London, and under civil enforcement powers elsewhere, councils can ticket a vehicle parked across a dropped footway even with no lines present. The dropped kerb itself is the restriction.

Can someone park in front of my dropped kerb driveway?

They should not. A vehicle parked across your dropped kerb can be reported to the council, which can issue a Penalty Charge Notice. If a vehicle is blocking you in or out, contact the council's parking enforcement; the police generally only get involved if it is a dangerous obstruction.

What is a white H-bar marking outside a driveway?

A white "H-bar" (an access protection marking) painted across a dropped kerb is advisory. It reminds drivers not to block the access. It is not legally enforceable on its own, but parking across the dropped kerb behind it can still be a contravention.

What is PCN contravention code 27?

Code 27 is "parked adjacent to a dropped footway", the standard London civil enforcement code for parking across a dropped kerb, cycle track or verge lowered to meet the road. It is issued under the Traffic Management Act 2004 in Special Enforcement Areas (most of London and many other civil enforcement areas) and needs no yellow lines or signage to apply - the dropped section itself is the restriction.

This guide is general information about UK parking rules, not legal advice. Kerbnow is a sign-reading aid, so always check the answer against the sign in front of you.