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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How can this be fair?

59 replies

Jenkibuble · 12/11/2025 17:27

Sunday afternoon as I returned from a bike ride a car was in my driveway in front of my garage. As I was trying to get bike in through the back gate (next to garage) I asked him to move back or I would hit the car .
I also told him he could not stay as it was blocking my garage (my car inside !)
Monday , I go to work (bike) and return and the car is still there - back window is open.
Contact non emergency police. Upload pics of it . Told they will attempt to contact owner . Next day they text to tell me council need to sort it.
I phone the council , fobbed off with them not taking action as it is on private land not a road !
The DVLA are not intetrested despite it being untaxed (as it is on private land)
Council are now saying they will stick an abandoned sticker on it giving the owner 7 days to return.
Meanwhile, doors hve been opened, car ransacked , fuse box nicked etc. Not by me.
How is it fair that I have to incur the cost of getting it towed away ?

Do I -
Somehow move the car on to the street - council will deal with it then (do not know how as no manual handbrake - it is a button ) and will I be committing a crime then ?

Pretend I have an emergency and get the police involved that way ? If indeed they would !!!!!!!
RANT OVER !!!!!!!!!

OP posts:
Dollymylove · 12/11/2025 17:45

A couple of strong chaps, trolley jacks, and dump it in the road. It will soon get shifted. BTW, do you actually know who the car belongs to?

ItsOnlyHobnobs · 12/11/2025 17:45

The important distinction to if the police will help is if your exit is blocked. Can you confirm if your car is in the garage?

McGregor33 · 12/11/2025 17:43

Jenkibuble · 12/11/2025 17:41

Nope - they have told me the council deal with this stuff . Environmental Health will stick a sticker on it !
They checked and it isnt stolen and they have tried to contct owner. They will not do anymore

It took over a year for our council to move a van which was blocking my neighbours driveway. They just kept adding stickers stating it must be moved within 7 days 🙈

Id call the police and say it needs to be moved asap as you have a family emergency and need out in your car which is blocked in.

Jenkibuble · 12/11/2025 17:42

60andcounting · 12/11/2025 17:37

Why don't you take the handbrake off and roll it away slowly.

It is a button handbrake - not manual type !

OP posts:
Jenkibuble · 12/11/2025 17:41

ItsOnlyHobnobs · 12/11/2025 17:40

Did you say your car is parked in the garage? You can absolutely contact the police and say a vehicle has been abandoned and is blocking your exit.

Nope - they have told me the council deal with this stuff . Environmental Health will stick a sticker on it !
They checked and it isnt stolen and they have tried to contct owner. They will not do anymore

OP posts:
ItsOnlyHobnobs · 12/11/2025 17:40

Did you say your car is parked in the garage? You can absolutely contact the police and say a vehicle has been abandoned and is blocking your exit.

60andcounting · 12/11/2025 17:37

Why don't you take the handbrake off and roll it away slowly.

MarmaladeMarxist · 12/11/2025 17:30

Jenkibuble · 12/11/2025 17:27

Sunday afternoon as I returned from a bike ride a car was in my driveway in front of my garage. As I was trying to get bike in through the back gate (next to garage) I asked him to move back or I would hit the car .
I also told him he could not stay as it was blocking my garage (my car inside !)
Monday , I go to work (bike) and return and the car is still there - back window is open.
Contact non emergency police. Upload pics of it . Told they will attempt to contact owner . Next day they text to tell me council need to sort it.
I phone the council , fobbed off with them not taking action as it is on private land not a road !
The DVLA are not intetrested despite it being untaxed (as it is on private land)
Council are now saying they will stick an abandoned sticker on it giving the owner 7 days to return.
Meanwhile, doors hve been opened, car ransacked , fuse box nicked etc. Not by me.
How is it fair that I have to incur the cost of getting it towed away ?

Do I -
Somehow move the car on to the street - council will deal with it then (do not know how as no manual handbrake - it is a button ) and will I be committing a crime then ?

Pretend I have an emergency and get the police involved that way ? If indeed they would !!!!!!!
RANT OVER !!!!!!!!!

Get some nice strong neighbours to come and move it for you. I've seen cars moved by 4 people using a couple of trolley jacks!

LadySable · 12/11/2025 17:29

not checked the date of this

Rule 243: No Parking Across Driveways
According to Rule 243 of the Highway Code:
"Do not stop or park in front of an entrance to a property."
This means that it is not just a polite request but an expectation that drivers do not block access to driveways. Doing so can constitute an obstruction and can have legal consequences.
Legal Implications
If someone parks over your driveway and blocks you in or out, they may be committing an offense under certain circumstances:

  • Obstruction: Blocking a driveway can be considered an obstruction of the highway, which is an offense.
  • Local By-Laws: Specific local councils may have additional regulations against blocking driveways, which can also result in fines or penalties.
What Steps Can You Take? Here are the steps you can take if someone blocks your driveway:

Contact the Authorities
If the vehicle remains or the blockage is causing significant inconvenience, you can contact your local council or the police:

  • Local Council: Some councils have dedicated teams to handle parking issues, including driveway obstructions.
  • Police: If you are blocked in and need to get out urgently, the police may intervene under specific circumstances.