AIBU to not know the actual rules on parking next to a dropped kerb?

[Kerbie678]

I'm not sure what's allowed and what's not regarding parking over a dropped kerb, as different websites have conflicting advice.

There's a dropped kerb outside my house specifically for my driveway, and there is a wooded area across the road with no footpath, so it's not as if anyone needs to access the dropped kerb in order to cross the road.
I'm unable to use the driveway presently as it's too steep, but I do use the dropped kerb to turn my car around, because otherwise I'd have to drive down the road to turn it as my road isn't the widest.

I tend to park along my dropped kerb, but lately my neighbour has taken to parking his car directly over it if he arrives home before me and there's little car parking space elsewhere for him. When he does this, it means I have to park further down the road and am unable to see my car out the window to check on it. What's more, this leaves me unable to turn my car round easily, as mentioned.

My neighbour has two vehicles for his property, and often parks leaving a large space between them, and even though I've politely asked if he wouldn't mind parking a few metres further along so that I can park outside my own drive, he usually ignores this,

Do I have any rights to park outside my own dropped kerb, as, like I said, some websites say yes, but others say I'm not able to.
Btw, I know I don't own the road, but would just like advice on this, thanks.

I've had skips on occasion when having an attic or shed clear out, or for having work done on my home,
I've explained about the fact that it's easier to get larger cars on my drive as they don't scrape on the bottom.

Then get someone in to deal with this

this is all very odd. You not being able to park on your own driveway due to a tarmac issue.

and your neighbour blocking access to your driveway. The dropped kerb question is irrelevant to this issue. Ask him to stop blocking your driveway.

and then deal with the tarmac issue

can you chuck a couple of bags of 'post concrete' in you dip OP? You just pour a bit of water on top and it sinks in and sets like ... concrete! Really easy.

It'll stop your car dropping in the hole (i sympathise mines low slung too)

She’s already explained why she can’t use the driveway with her specific car.
WTF of course her neighbour can’t just choose to park across her dropped kerb! That’s not how it works 😂
And I don’t think anyone should have to justify use of their own fucking entranceway with regular skip-hiring

There’s two issues here

1. the fact that the op can’t access her own driveway due to a tarmac issue (odd)
2. the fact her neighbour is blocking her driveway (rude)

the question about the dropped kerb is irrelevant to this issue

I didn't know this. So no parking outside dropped curbs for everyone.

There seems to be some confusion about what can and can't be done. The rules should be clearer!

I think I would look into getting your driveway sorted tbh it will solve all your problems.

Does this obstruct you physically getting into your house? I have a front driveway which is also how i’d access my front door from the street (no front garden gate), does him parking there make this awkward for you?

Yes I do need to do it, on looking at the drive way you can't tell there's a dip, and I'd like to move in the next year or so anyway, hence why I've hesitated getting it sorted.

Additionally, even when I used to park my cars on the drive, my neighbour would park as far up to the drive as possible, leaving me with only one way to pull out of my drive way, as it's at an angle. He's shown no consideration ever to make pulling off my drive easier,

You know how to use the internet ??!!!

Yes I do, thanks all the same, but if you'd read my original post properly you'd see that I've explained there's conflicting advice on different websites, even when I've written in my own town.

No, I'm not obstructed from getting into my house, but it's inconvenient having to park somewhere down the road and carrying shopping bags etc. He's got two vehicles also, which ok fair enough, but I'd just like to park one vehicle outside my drive way if possible.

My neighbours just gone to work and taken his other car, leaving one blocking the dropped kerb.

I've got to go to work soon myself, but I'm sure I'll be parking down the road again later as he'll be back before me, and my friend who is visiting tonight (and whose car can easily get on my drive way) will no doubt also have to find parking down the road as I believe the car that's across the kerb will likely be left there until at least tomorrow, and maybe all weekend.

I’d ask him to stop blocking your driveway. If he says but you never use it, I’d explain visitors do and I’m actually having it sorted soon so I can start using it. So I’d appreciate it if you’d stop blocking my driveway, it’s a bad habit.

I've mentioned it before to him, asking politely if he wouldn't mind parking a few metres further up so I can park outside the drive, but he acted as if he didn't hear me and didn't respond.

A formal letter would probably be the best next step. He thinks you are a pushover.

If you live in or visit Scotland parking on the pavement or across any dropkerb its an automatic £100 fine and anybody who sees your car can just take a photo of it either parked on the pavement or across the dropkerb and send it to the council and you will automatically be issued the fine

Can I Park On A Dropped Kerb Outside My House?
You might think “yes, of course you can!” but actually, you’d be wrong. Drivers are not allowed to park across a dropped kerb, whether it’s outside somebody else’s home or their own. This is because you, the homeowner, do not own the kerb.

OP, your neighbour should not be parking in front of your dropped kerb. Technically, neither should you, but you are hardly blocking your own access, which he is. You are both in the wrong, but he is “more wrong”. I’d put a polite note through his door asking him not to do it.

Google result

The Law: Under the Highway Code Rule 243, drivers are explicitly told not to stop or park in front of an entrance to a property or where the kerb has been lowered.

Rule 243 highway code

Rule 243
DO NOT stop or park:

• near a school entrance
• anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
• at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank
• on the approach to a level crossing/tramway crossing
• opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
• near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
• opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked vehicle
• where you would force other traffic to enter a tram lane
• where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles
• in front of an entrance to a property
• on a bend
• where you would obstruct cyclists’ use of cycle facilities

You need to mend your drive so you can use it. Also, what would happen if you had a fire or medical emergency necessitating a fire engine or ambulance and the drive was routinely blocked? Those extra minutes could mean the difference between life and death.

Sorry, you are being unfair. You either have a driveway and use it (meaning one less car parked on your road), or don’t use your driveway, pretend it’s not there, and have the same rights as everyone else. Why should you have the benefit of a parking space reserved outside your property, while your neighbours have to park wherever they can. If the answer is because you have a drive - then use it.

The highway code is clear it says no parking over a dropkerb ever.
The only confusion comes with whos job it is to enforce it. In England & Wales if a car is being blocked in then that's a police job and if a car is being blocked out or pedestrians cant use the dropkerb then thats the councils parking enforcement job

How does the neighbour know that she won’t be using her driveway? Or that she doesn’t have guests arriving to use the driveway. You can’t park across someone’s driveway - it’s irrelevant whether they are known to use it or not. It’s access to her house.

You’ve asked him nicely. I’d now report him.