Double yellow lines
Double yellow lines are placed where parking can be dangerous or block lines of sight for other drivers and for pedestrians. It is illegal for a vehicle to wait on a yellow line during the controlled hours, regardless of the length of time involved, unless it is otherwise exempt from the regulations.
A vehicle is not allowed to park on a yellow line when restrictions are in force other than for the purposes of loading or unloading, as permitted by legislation, or for allowing passengers to board or alight, in which case the driver should not leave the vehicle.
Double yellow lines are in force 24 hours each day. There is no requirement for a sign plate for double yellow lines.
A single yellow line indicates to a driver that restrictions are in force during particular times of the day. These times of restriction will be indicated on a sign plate.
Disabled drivers can park on double yellow lines for a maximum of 3 hours. A valid disabled badge must be displayed along with a clock indicating the time of arrival.
Where double yellow lines are present, within a disc zone, they are still applicable 24 hours each day. The disc zone restrictions are in force during the times stated on the sign (e.g. 9am to 5pm), these restrictions are applicable to the marked disc zone bays. The double yellow lines are a separate restriction and are in force at all times.
Definition of loading
Any loading or unloading which is taking place on a yellow line or within a loading bay, must be constant. The Council appreciates it is not possible for someone who is loading or unloading to the leave the vehicle boot or doors open but, of the activity is constant, this will be obvious to a Civil Enforcement Officer.
A Civil Enforcement Officer will observe a vehicle parked on yellow lines or within a loading bay to determine whether loading or unloading is taking place. A vehicle parked without showing signs of loading or unloading will be liable to being issued with a Penalty Charge Notice.
If the vehicle is not to be loaded or unloaded as soon as it is parked and/or once loading or unloading has been completed, it must be moved to a legal parking space.
Loading bay
Loading Bays are provided for the purposes of loading and unloading goods. A vehicle is permitted to park in this bay providing loading and unloading is taking place.
Loading bays are not provided for parking.
All loading bays are signposted with a sign stating “Loading Only”. Please note that some bays are signed “Goods Vehicles Only”. These bays are permitted for goods vehicle to load and unload only. A goods vehicle is defined as “a motor vehicle constructed or adapted for use for the carriage of goods and exceeds 3050 kilograms”.
When a vehicle is loading and unloading, this activity must be constant. Civil Enforcement Officer will observe a vehicle to determine whether loading and unloading is taking place.
A blue disabled badge is not valid when a vehicle is parked within a loading bay.
Yellow line with a loading restriction
A yellow line with a yellow ‘kerb blip’ or ‘kerb marking’ is an indication to the motorist that a loading restriction is in place in the area. This means that waiting including loading and unloading is prohibited in the area.
During the restricted hours, a vehicle is not permitted to wait, even for the purposes of loading or unloading, regardless of the amount of time involved for any period of time regardless of how short that period may be.
These restrictions are sighted for safety reasons, where parked vehicles could be dangerous, block lines of sight for other road users and pedestrians and cause an obstruction.
Where the kerb shows a double ‘kerb blip’ the loading restriction is in force 24 hours each day. Where there is only a single ‘kerb blip’ the restriction is in force during particular hours of the day. These hours of restriction will be indicated on a sign in the area.
A blue disabled badge is not valid when the vehicle is parked on a loading restriction.
Dropped kerb
A dropped kerb is also known as a dropped footway. This is an area which has been specially adapted for the use of wheelchairs, pushchairs and motorised scooters. It is indicated by the lowered kerb. In many instances this is also accompanied by yellow tactile paving.
Sections 85 and 86 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 prohibit parking adjacent to a dropped footway. It is illegal for a vehicle to wait adjacent to a dropped kerb, regardless of the length of time involved. This legislation also applies to a carriageway that has been raised to meet the footway for the purpose of assisting pedestrians crossing the carriageway. Please note that the legislation regarding dropped footways also applies to a carriageway that has been raised to meet the footway for the purpose of assisting pedestrians crossing the carriageway.
A blue disabled badge is not valid when a vehicle is parked adjacent to a dropped footway.
A dropped footway does not have to be sign posted or marked on the road. It is the motorists responsibility to ensure that they have not parked adjacent to a dropped kerb.
Taxi rank
A taxi bay is designed for the use of hackney carriages licensed by the Council.
Taxi bays are in force 24 hours each day.
The Taxi Bay is clearly marked on the road and a sign plate will state “No Stopping except Taxis”.
A driver who parks any part of their vehicle within the markings of a taxi rank, is liable to a Penalty Charge Notice being issued.
A blue disabled badge is not valid when a vehicle is parked within a taxi rank.
Bus stop
A vehicle is not permitted to park in a bus stop for any purpose, regardless of the length of time involved.
Parking in a bus stop can cause delay to buses and cause an inconvenience and a possible danger to passengers.
A bus stop is clearly marked on the road and a sign stating ‘Bus Stop’ is also present.
A driver who parks any part of their vehicle within the markings of a bus stop, is liable to a Penalty Charge Notice being issued.
A blue disabled badge is not valid when a vehicle is parked within a Bus Stop.
Motorcycle bays
Motorcycle bays are for the use of solo motorcycles only.
Motorcycle bays are in force 24 hours each day.
A motorcycle bay will be clearly marked on the road. A sign plate may be present, however this is not a legal requirement.
A driver who parks any part of their vehicle within the markings of a motorcycle bay, is liable to a Penalty Charge Notice being issued.
A blue disabled badge is not valid when a vehicle is parked within a motorcycle bay.
Residents only bay
Residents only bays are designated for the use of Residents Permit Holders Only.
Any vehicle parked within a residents only area must be clearly displaying a valid residents permit or residents visitor scratch cards. Any vehicle parked without a valid permit or scratch card is liable to being issued with a Penalty Charge Notice.
A blue disabled badge is not valid when a vehicle is parked within a residents only bay.
Obstruction
If a vehicle is causing an obstruction, such as parking on double yellow lines, pavements and grass verges and there is an associated restriction in place in the area (e.g. double yellow lines), a Civil Enforcement Officer is able to issue a Penalty Charge Notice to that vehicle.
If a vehicle is causing an obstruction, such as parking on pavements or grass verges and there are NO associated restrictions in place, a Civil Enforcement Officer does not have the authority to issue a Penalty Charge Notice to the vehicle and it is a Police matter. As of 31 March 2008 dropped kerbs are enforced by the Council's Civil Enforcement Officers.
The Council does not have the authority to remove a vehicle which is causing an obstruction. If a vehicle is causing an obstruction which you deem is dangerous (e.g. blocking access for emergency vehicles) you must contact the Police. The Police have the authority to remove a vehicle which is causing a serious obstruction.
To contact North Yorkshire Police please ring 101.