Dropped kerb
When you park you need to make sure you are not obstructing a dropped kerb as you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for doing so.
A dropped kerb is a slope from a gateway to the road to allow vehicles to access a property, or for use by pedestrians crossing the road.
Parking in front of a dropped kerb is not allowed because it causes obstruction to driveway access, road crossing access and both pedestrian and driver visibility which can be very dangerous to pedestrians and road users.
The level of enforcement for dropped kerb parking depends on whether you are parked in a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ). A CPZ is an area where parking is restricted during the controlled hours of operation. For more information about CPZs go to:
PCN enforcement in a CPZ
Within a CPZ parking alongside a dropped kerb is enforceable 24 hours a day and Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) are instructed to issue PCNs to any vehicles observed contravening this parking regulation.
PCN enforcement outside a CPZ
Outside of a CPZ levels of enforcement are much lower. CEOs will only issue a PCN for parking alongside a dropped kerb which is obstructing access to a property if the home owner has reported it.
Residents of multi-occupancy premises however are not required to notify the parking services department as a CEO can issue a PCN without instruction.
In addition, a PCN can be issued when a vehicle is parked alongside a dropped kerb that is not for the purpose of gaining entry to a property, for instance where the kerb has been dropped for pedestrian purposes.
If you are unsure whether the dropped kerb is in use you should not park against it.