Help - neighbour blinding me

[Carsarelife]

So I live in a bungalow with neighbours either side of me, we don't have any houses over looking us per se.
My house is 2 bed with a kitchen and bedroom right at front of the house.
Opposite me is the side of someone's house. All you can see is a brick wall with one teeny window which I'm guessing is a staircase window.
The small garden that is at the side of the house opposite has been turned into a driveway for 2/3 cars. They reverse in so the cars are facing outwards ready to drive off . One of the cars most nights either starts his car and leaves it running with the headlights literally beaming into my DD's bedroom and as they are led literally lights up the whole room. Or he comes home and reverses onto the drive but sits there a while with his lights beaming in the window.
It's so annoying as he probably doesn't even realise he's doing it.
Should I just suck it up and invest in a black out blind?
Would it be unreasonable to put a note in his door?

I'd probably invest in a black out blind and thick curtains first.

Perhaps you could talk to him rather than putting a note through the door.

Just knock and speak to them. But yes, get blackout lining for the curtain or a blind as well.

I would speak to them

If you talk to them be clear what you want to achieve. They are clearly not going to stop using their driveway. They might kill the lights quicker, but it sounds like this would still disturb you just for less time. In which case, I'd go for blackout blonds first

I think it's odd to expect people using their driveways to worry about headlights when blackout blinds exist. Only speak to him about it if you've taken all reasonable steps yourself to minimise light getting in and it's somehow still a problem.

Say nothing and Get blackout even if they were super quick DD would still be briefly lit up

We have a driveway opposite our living room, and I know exactly what you mean!
It doesn't happen often, but if it did, I would just go round and chat.

Speak to him and if that does not work black out blinds are extremely effective.

Blackout Blinds, im actually shocked you dont already have them. You could try Blackout curtain linings first then if that doesnt help put a roller blind in too. If its still a slight issue maybe just point it out to them kindly explaining and asking if they could just be aware of it if they are sat on the drive could they dim or turn off the auto lights. Not an unreasonable request if they are very close to to your house.

I got my bedroom blackout curtains from Dunelm, they’re fab. Neighbours opposite have an outside light which was going off during windy weather and lighting up my bedroom. Not a problem for me since I got the blackout curtains. Try those first OP.

I also have Dunelm blackout curtains. The care home opposite me has what can only be described as a beacon at their front door, on all night every night. It lights up my bedroom but blackout curtains do the trick.

Blackout curtains are great. But people sitting in stationary cars with the headlights full on drive me up the wall.

Blackout blinds flush with winnow.Plus thick lined/ blackout curtains.

I got both when the street lights were replaced with led ones.

No light gets in at all.

Why would you not speak to him, much cheaper than paying for blinds. I also light up my neighbour’s house when I reverse into my drive so I turn the headlights off if it’s dark. But if he doesn’t know he’s doing it why would he think to stop? Just talk to him I’m sure he’ll be reasonable.

I would get a blackout blind and think curtains to start but maybe mention it to them if and when you get a chance, see them out and about.

Just go and talk to them. What is it with people unable to have even the most basic conversations??

I don't think you can reasonably expect him to drive off into darkness, so even if the lights are on for a shorter time they'll still cause a problem. Blinds and curtains.

Sounds like he’s leaving lights on for a long time because he’s on his phone in the the nice warm car for a bit before going into the house.
I’d go round and let him know that the light is beaming into your daughter’s room and disturbing her. Just say it nicely and if he’s reasonable, he’ll adjust what he does.
Blackout blinds would solve the light issue but it might not be something OP’s daughter would like. Some children don’t like pitch black rooms.

Blackout blinds is the obvious solution. No matter what, you have a driveway opposite and people are allowed to use their drive late at night/early morning.

If she doesn't like complete darkness then a nightlight...

Are you annoyed enough to be passive aggressive? You could order the blinds/curtains and then before they arrive pop round and ask if they have your parcel that was 'delivered to a neighbour' and say what it is and what it's for.

Why on earth would you do this instead of just speaking to them nicely in the first place?

Just get a blackout blind. Get perfect for and you won’t even have a sliver of light coming in the room.

he’s using his drive. I wouldn’t speak to him.

Oh just put a blind up, I would have thought that was the obvious answer. The sun will be beaming in at 4am soon enough anyway.
I have a lamppost in my garden with the light right outside my bedroom window so I have a blackout blind. Problem solved.

A blind would be best. What would you expect them to do if you spoke to them? The only unreasonable thing they do is sit in the car. Even if they stop that you will still get lights as they come home.