Parking safely on the school run

Most schools often have parking challenges at the start and end of the school day. This is particularly the case where there are:

• Narrow roads
• Parking restrictions
• Vans
• Buses

Everyone has an important role to keep the school gate environment safe.

Young people learn travel behaviours from parents and adults around them. Help young people develop safe behaviours by modelling safe road habits.

Go to the Hopton primary academy website to watch a road safety video from their students.

Parking guidance and what to do if you find parking issues: 

Parking restrictions

There may be parking restrictions on the roads around your school. Parking when these restrictions are in operation is illegal and unsafe.

Parking restrictions include:

• Prohibited parking. This is where there are yellow lines or clearway restrictions in operation:
  • Double yellow lines. These mean no stopping or parking at any time.
  • Single yellow lines. These mean no stopping or parking at certain times. Nearby street signs will show the times that you can't park or stop.
  • Yellow zig zags. These mean no stopping or parking. This includes dropping off or picking up passengers.
• In some areas you can park, but only for a set time. Street signs will tell you the longest amount of time you can stay.
• Some areas of Norfolk have resident parking permit schemes. They prevent anyone but a resident from parking in an area. Always check for signs to inform you of this.

If you find a vehicle parked where it is not allowed, report it to parking operations. They will alert the civil enforcement officers managed by your local council. Find out more about civil parking enforcement and legal orders.

If you find a vehicle parked in a way that is causing danger to other road users, this is a police mater. Call 101 or report it to the police online.

Considerate parking

Anyone can park outside a residential property if there are no restrictions in place. For example, permit parking or yellow lines.

Inconsiderate parking is:

• Parking on verges and on pavements
• Parking immediately either side of a dropped kerb
• Parking opposite a dropped kerb or driveway entrance
• Taking up too much space
• Parking opposite or within 10 metres of a junction. This will obstruct a driver's view as they emerge from or turn into the junction.
• Parking that prevents the flow of traffic

If you experience inconsiderate parking, speak to the driver to find a solution. 

If you can still drive around a wider than average vehicle, it's not an obstruction.

If you experience a vehicle causing a complete obstruction, this is a police matter. Call 101 or report it to the police online.

Parking across driveways 

It can be an offence to park a vehicle across a dropped kerb (a driveway). This is because it may stop someone from accessing their driveway.

If you find a vehicle parked across a dropped kerb, you can:

• Contact the police. Call 101 or report it to the police online.
• Contact civil enforcement officers by reporting it to parking operations. They can enforce against vehicles parked across dropped kerbs. They will only do this if the householder gives permission in advance in writing. They will apply the enforcement to any vehicle (including the residents) parking.

Parking on pavements and obstructions

Pavements are a safe place for people to walk on. It is important that vehicles do not cause an obstruction to pavement users.

All pavement users must be able to use the pavement without entering the road. This includes:

• People who walk
• Wheelchair users
• Pushchairs

You must keep pavements free of obstructions so that:

• Emergency vehicles and buses have access
• Vulnerable people can keep their independence. This includes older or disabled people who may have visual or mobility impairments.
• People with pushchairs can use the pavement safely without having to walk into the road
• Paths don't get damaged which can incur further maintenance costs

Some areas of Norfolk prevent parking on the verge. Signs at the side of the road will identify this.

Offences

Yellow lines apply from the centre of the road to the back of the verge or pathway. You could receive a penalty charge notice if you park on these yellow lines. It is a criminal offence.

It's a criminal offence to drive onto the pavement, even if you intend to park. 

If you find instances of these offences, report it to your local police team online.

If there is a more urgent need for the police to attend, call 101 or report it to the police online.

Exceptions

Exceptions to these rules apply to disabled blue badge holders.

Visit the GOV.UK website for more information about blue badges.

Apply or reapply for a Blue Badge.

Safe school run pledge

Learn more about road safety and make the pledge to park safely.