Parking safely on the school run

Schools often have parking issues at the start and end of the school day. This is particularly the case where there are:

• Narrow roads
• Parking restrictions
• Vans
• Buses

Understanding what parking restrictions you might experience on the school run can help you prepare.

Rules for blue badge holders is on GOV.UK's website.

Parking legally

There might be parking restrictions in residential areas. Someone might have parked illegally if they're in an area with on-street parking restrictions.

Parking restrictions include:

• Prohibited parking – where there are yellow lines or clearway restrictions in operation
  • Double yellow lines apply at all times
  • Single yellow lines apply some of the time. They control when you can and cannot park.
  • Yellow zig zags mean you can't even stop to let passengers out of the vehicle
• In some areas you can park, but only for a set time. Street signs will tell you the maximum length you can stay.
• Some areas of Norfolk have resident parking permit schemes. They prevent anyone but a resident from parking in an area. Always check for signs to tell you this.

If you see a vehicle parked somewhere it's not allowed, you can report this to a civil enforcement officer. Our civil parking enforcement page tells you who to email depending on who your local council is.

Parking considerately

Anyone can park outside a residential property as long as there are no restrictions in place. For example, permit parking or yellow lines.

Inconsiderate parking is:

• Park on verges and on pavements
• Park immediately either side of a dropped kerb
• Park opposite a dropped kerb or driveway entrance
• Take up too much space

If you can still drive around a wider than average vehicle, it's not an obstruction.

If you experience inconsiderate parking, speak to the driver to find a solution. 

If you experience a vehicle causing complete obstruction, contact the police using their non-emergency number (101) or report online option.

Parking across driveways 

If a vehicle has parked across a dropped kerb (a driveway) and it stops someone from accessing their driveway, this may be an offence. 

You can either contact:

• The police using their non-emergency number (101) or report online option
• A civil enforcement officer – our civil parking enforcement page tells you who to email depending on who your local council is. They can enforce vehicles for parking across a dropped kerb if they have the permission of the householder in writing first. They can then enforce against any vehicle who parks there (including any vehicles belonging to the residents).

Parking on pavements

Vehicles should not obstruct people using the pavement.

Pavements must be free of obstructions so:

• Vulnerable, older or disabled people can keep their independence
• Families with pushchairs can safely walk on the pavement without having to walk into the road
• Paths don't get damaged which can cost to fix

Some areas of Norfolk have prevented parking on the verge. Look out for signs at the side of the road.

Yellow lines apply from the centre of the road to the back of the verge/pathway. A penalty charge notice could be issue to a parked vehicle.

It's also an offence to drive onto the pavement, even if you intend to park. If you see this, contact your safer neighbourhood team. If you need the police more urgently, call 101 or use their report online option.