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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to park my van on the road?

205 replies

Vantopark · 25/02/2026 15:20

My family and I live in a quiet village. DH and I have 2 cars between us which we park on the driveway. DH also has a separate work van which can’t fit on the drive, so he parks it down the road. He can’t park it directly outside our house because the road is narrow at this point and it would cause an obstruction. So he parks it legally on the road a bit further down where the road widens. It is not parked directly outside anyone’s house as there are no houses there, but it can be seen from some people’s windows at a distance. The parking is not at a premium, and there is always plenty of space left for other people to park there should they wish.

The other villagers seem to hate this. Their objection is based purely on the fact that they don’t like the look of it (it is sign-written). Not that it is obstruction anyone or using up valuable parking spaces (because it isn’t). They don’t have any objection to the other cars that are parked there. We’ve been asked repeatedly to move it, but as we haven’t obliged they are starting to get more aggressive, stopping me in the street to call me a ‘fucking selfish bitch’ etc. There are things I can see out of my windows that I would rather weren’t there, but I think that’s just village life isn’t it? There isn’t anywhere else that we can park the van in the village, anywhere else would be even closer to people’s houses.

YABU: yes you are a selfish bitch and the van shouldn’t be there

YANBU: You are legally entitled to park the van there, crack on and the neighbours need to get over it.

OP posts:
FairKoala · 08/05/2026 09:11

Freeme31 · 01/03/2026 19:05

You are being a little selfish as are your neighbours why can’t you park the van in the drive and your cars where you park the van. I think for peace i’d at least try this instead of making everyone life a misery including your own and potential your children’s as they get older as villages can be wee gossip places and it just takes some parent to say something in front of their child which could have a knock on effect on your children. Tou do know it’s nice to be kind

Maybe those calling someone who didn’t do anything a stupid bitch should take that advice

rwalker · 08/05/2026 09:13

There any option to make drive bigger to get a car and a van on

ScotchBonnet74 · 08/05/2026 09:32

NotMeNoNo · 27/02/2026 10:36

A normal sized Transit/Transporter van like many small businesses use, is hardly different in size to a larger 4x4, which I expect are all over your villages withouth complaints. It's not really to do with size or blocking light. Having your view disturbed is something you can only control if you don't have any neighbours.

This! If you don't want an obstructed view from your windows, then maybe consider living in a country house with a sweeping long driveway or on a private estate. If that's beyond your means and your view is of a public road, then you have to look at whatever vehicle is legally parked there!

FairKoala · 08/05/2026 09:33

I really feel for you. I have lived in little villages and I also drive a van that doesn’t go on the driveway
I asked those that complained, where they would like me to park it. That was close to me but wasn’t outside someone’s window. It’s not like it was outside their house for weeks on end.
I was their best friend when they wanted van to collect something or help someone move house.

I now live in London and van is parked up and used rarely. Never had a single complaint.

It’s about where you live.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 08/05/2026 14:47

If it's taxed he can park it on the roadside wherever he pleases as long as there's nothing legally preventing that.

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