Nuisance parking

Most parking problems are caused by the simple fact that there are too many cars for the available parking spaces. However, a few parking problems are caused by people breaking the law. When this happens, Kent County Council or the Police can take action.

Untaxed vehicles

If a vehicle is untaxed, it should not be on the road, regardless of it being parked or not.

If an untaxed vehicle is causing a parking problem in your street, you can report it by contacting the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Abandoned vehicles

If you think a vehicle is abandoned, view our information on abandoned vehicles.

Selling vehicles on the road

It is as offence for anyone to advertise 2 or more vehicles on the same road or within 500 metres of each other.

Repairing vehicles on the road

It is also an offence for anyone to carry out repairs, maintenance and other work to a vehicle on a road. Unless this is repairs resulting from an accident or breakdown within 72 hours of the offence.

Common sense needs to be applied to the last two examples above. The laws have clearly been made to stop people from causing a constant parking nuisance by, for example, operating a business on the road. They were not made to stop the normal activity that you find on any street where off-road parking is limited.

Parking on the pavement

Parking on pavements can cause problems for pedestrians. If the vehicle is large and heavy, it can damage the pavement surface. However, because there are so many more cars and not enough parking in some places, you may have to park on the pavement. This is so that other traffic, including emergency vehicles, can go by. Parking attendants cannot stop you from parking on the pavement. When there is not any waiting restriction, such as yellow lines, it is legal to do so. It is illegal to drive on the pavement and the police will deal with this. They can also deal with anything that is blocking the road or pavement.

White vehicle access marking lines

White vehicle access marking lines are also known as dog bones, or hockey sticks.

We can provide white 'access highlight' lines outside a property where it can be proved that there is a persistent parking problem. These road markings are purely advisory and give no extra power to the Police to prosecute other road users.

To introduce a new white 'access highlight' line marking on the road or to remark, or refresh an existing one, it is necessary to prove that you have a persistent obstructive parking problem. This is to prevent too many or unnecessary lines on the highway and helps ensure markings are at priority locations and adhered to by drivers.

For more information, please view our policy for new and refreshed white 'access highlight' markings (PDF, 30k) or for an application pack, visit our applications and licences section.