A guide to on-street parking

Please be aware that all on-street parking enforcement is handled by Devon County Council.

This information below is for guidance only and it is advisable to ensure that you are familiar with the Highway Code. You can view the Highway Code online where illustrations of road markings may also be downloaded.

Where parking is prohibited

The places where parking is prohibited or restricted are summarised below.

Do not stop too close to a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge. Remember: the occupant may need more room to get in or out. Be aware that Blue Badge holders may park in some places normally prohibited under the Blue Badge scheme. Please see 'The Blue Badge Scheme; Rights and Responsibilities in England' for full details.

You should not park wholly or partially on the pavement unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.

DO NOT stop or park:

• near a school entrance
• anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
• at or near a tram or bus 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 the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles - a Penalty Charge Notice may be issued to vehicles parked adjacent to any dropped kerb
• in front of an entrance to a property
• on a bend
• where you would obstruct cyclists' use of cycle facilities

except when forced to do so by stationary traffic.

You MUST NOT stop or park on

• a pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by the zig-zag lines
• a clearway or an urban clearway within its hours of operation, even when a broken white line is on your side of the road, except to pick up or set down passengers
• taxi bays as indicated by upright signs and markings
• a road marked with double white lines, except to pick up or set down passengers
• a tram or cycle lane during its period of operation
• a cycle track
• red lines, in the case of specially designated 'red routes', unless otherwise indicated by signs

You MUST NOT park in parking spaces reserved for specific users, such as Blue Badge holders, residents or motorcycles, unless entitled to do so.

You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road.

Passengers

You may stop momentarily to allow passengers to alight from or board your vehicle provided that you remain in the vehicle at all times and only stop for the minimum time required to enable this to take place. If you intend to stop to allow passengers to board your vehicle they should be ready to board the vehicle as soon as it reaches a safe place and stops. Leaving the vehicle to search for passengers or waiting in the vehicle for them to arrive is not permitted.

Loading and unloading

The rules governing the loading and unloading of vehicles are complex and often controversial. Devon County Council aims to deal with disputes sensitively on an individual basis. However, It should be borne in mind that it is not permitted to park on double yellow or single yellow lines during operational hours to shop (that is to select and purchase goods) prior to loading; this includes the collection of takeaways.

Do not load or unload where there are yellow markings on the kerb and upright signs advise restrictions are in place. This may be permitted where parking is otherwise restricted. On red routes, specially marked and signed bays indicate where and when loading and unloading is permitted.

Penalty Charge Notices are likely to be issued where there are no obvious sign of loading and unloading within 5 minutes (a note in the windscreen is not sufficient), or where the vehicle remains parked in the restricted area while activities not associated with loading and unloading take place.

Loading and Unloading Code of Practice

The following is compiled from the British Parking Association's Loading and Unloading Code Of Practice for companies and delivery staff to provides guidance.

Introduction

It is important to acknowledge that many urban roads are overcrowded. Inevitably this means that the situation for delivery and servicing may not be perfect. Loading/unloading regulations should be observed, but if you have particular deliveries that you are unable to make within the regulations, then discuss this with the relevant traffic authority to see if a solution can be found.

Loading or unloading must be continuous while the vehicle is parked in restricted areas. It includes taking goods to where the recipient may reasonably require them in the premises, waiting for them to be checked, getting delivery or collection documents signed and returning to the vehicle. Delivery staff are expected to secure their vehicle when they are not with it and a vehicle can legitimately be locked during some of these stages. Once the delivery process is complete, however, the driver must move the vehicle even if it is within the maximum period allowed for loading or unloading.

Principles

Training to be given to all delivery staff about the rules of loading and unloading

• Every driver to be issued with a copy of this code of practice
• Utilise training materials such as videos and drivers' cards
• Drivers to have a driver's card or similar in every vehicle

Conform to parking regulations as far as is reasonably practicable

• Ascertain delivery restrictions at customer premises in advance of delivery where possible and plan route accordingly
• If restrictions are in place, endeavour to adhere to restrictions or pursue alternatives (with the local authority and/or customers)
• Ensure load planners are familiar with all parking restrictions
• Always check signposts for parking restrictions
• If a civil enforcement officer cannot be seen in the vicinity of the vehicle, do not assume that parking regulations are not being enforced. Traffic authorities are increasingly utilising CCTV as a method of enforcement.

Understand and respect the civil enforcement officer's situation. They have an important role in ensuring that rules are complied with and that congested road space is used as effectively as possible

• Always show respect to civil enforcement officers
• Do not engage in confrontation
• Accept PCNs, ascertaining that the details are correct. If not, do not take the issue up with the officer. Make a note of the discrepancy and report back to your transport office on your return. If you drive off or the civil enforcement officer feels threatened, the PCN can be sent by post (by some authorities) which will make the administration of payment or an appeal more difficult for your company

Always ensure that loading/unloading is taking place.

• Ensure that the delivery or pick up notice is signed, dated and timed by the customer
• Personal and legally required breaks must be taken in accordance with parking regulations and drivers' hours rules

Debrief delivery staff who receive a PCN when they return to depot

• Discuss PCN report forms at daily debrief
• Review and assess reasons for contravention and record information

Interview and re-train any driver who consistently receives valid PCNs

• Ensure recorded information is used to address drivers who consistently receive a disproportionate number of valid PCNs
• Ensure that there is an ongoing review process in place

Discuss delivery issues with traffic authorities, customers and local residents to resolve problems

• Speak to customer to see if delivery arrangements (location and/or time) can be altered
• If unable to resolve at customer level, engage in discussion with traffic authorities to find solutions, e.g. obtain a dispensation

Goods vehicles

Vehicles with a maximum laden weight of over 7.5 tonnes (including any trailer) MUST NOT be parked on a verge, pavement or any land situated between carriageways, without police permission. The only exception is when parking is essential for loading and unloading, in which case the vehicle MUST NOT be left unattended.

You should not park your vehicle in a bay marked 'Goods Vehicles' for loading and loading unless your vehicle is a designated as such.