Report: Parking on double yellow lines becomes ‘significant problem’ in UK

The number of motorists blatantly breaking a major rule around parking has become a ‘significant problem’ across Britain, according to a new report. In a huge poll of almost 15,000 drivers, 51 per cent said illegal parking on double yellow lines has become a scourge where they live. The nationwide poll revealed a growing frustration with motorists who flout parking regulations – particularly in busy urban areas where visibility, access, and safety are paramount.

The study found that a third of respondents said it isn’t a very serious problem in their area, and 11 per cent dismissed it as not a problem at all. However, these could be people living in busy cities – especially London – where parking wardens are prevalent and unrelenting, which proves to be the best deterrent for rule breakers. In fact, regional differences suggest that locality plays a major role in how the issue is perceived up and down the country. Drivers in the West Midlands and North West England expressed the highest level of concern, with 55 per cent identifying it as a serious issue. In contrast, only 47 per cent of drivers in Eastern England felt the same.

The AA found that age of respondents also influenced attitudes towards parking on double yellows. Among drivers aged 25 to 34, some 57 per cent said they viewed it as a ‘serious issue’ – potentially reflecting the pressures of commuting, childcare drop-offs, and navigating congested city streets. Meanwhile, 44 per cent of motorists over the age of 65 said they did not see it as a serious concern, possibly due to different travel habits or living in less densely populated areas.

The greater use of blue badges by senior drivers – who are more likely to face mobility issues – could also be a factor for why they might have a more forgiving view on yellow-line infringements. This is because blue permit holders can park on double yellows for up to three hours in England and Wales, granted they’re not causing an obstruction.

Under the UK Highway Code, double yellow lines indicate that parking or waiting is not permitted at any time, regardless of whether there are accompanying signs. The only other exception from Blue Badge holders is to load or unload where there are no yellow kerb markings or signage indicating additional restrictions. Despite the clear instructions, the AA’s survey found that 6 per cent of drivers park illegally on double yellow lines. Their most common excuses: they were unaware of the restrictions, or they believed it was safe to do so. Other honest drivers would likely have provided more flippant responses, or admitted it was to avoid increasing public car park prices.

The motoring group says its research ‘highlights a need for clearer signage and improved public education around parking regulations’. However, these could be people living in busy cities – especially London – where parking wardens are prevalent and unrelenting, which proves to be the best deterrent for rule breakers. But there is also an argument for councils coming down harder on serial offenders. Most councils have in recent years taken over civil parking enforcement in their areas after rules were changed to decriminalise illegal parking as on offence.

As such, this allowed authorities to apply to take back powers from underfunded local police forces who had previously been responsible for ticketing drivers, which had seen enforcement levels plummet and opened the door to more illegal parking. Yet in many communities, the rules are still ignored. While some might see double-yellow-line parking as a minor misdemeanour, it can create immediate and serious dangers. Typically, they have been painted in areas where they are most needed to keep vulnerable road users safe.

By parking on the lines, inconsiderate motorists cannot only block sightlines, it also threatens to delay public transport and has been linked to increased risk of accidents. The issue also affects delivery drivers, cyclists, parents with prams, and those using mobility scooters or with limited mobility, who often find themselves forced into the road to navigate around vehicles parked where they shouldn’t be. Large vehicles, like buses, vans and HGVs are also commonly forced to idle or reroute due to blocked highways, causing delays and contributing to congestion and pollution. And beyond these physical impacts, the AA also found that illegal parking can erode trust within communities. Residents says they often feel drivers ignore the rules without consequence, leading to frustration and a sense of unfairness.

In areas where enforcement is inconsistent, this can create a ‘cycle of disregard’, where one person’s actions encourage others to follow suit. Jack Cousens, AA head of roads policy, said: ‘Parking on double yellow lines is illegal for a reason – it’s there to protect visibility, access, and safety for everyone using the road. But the impact of ignoring these rules isn’t just legal; it’s social and practical too. ‘In cities, it can block emergency vehicles, delay buses, and put pedestrians at risk. In quieter areas, it may not seem as urgent, but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. ‘That’s why we’re urging councils to take a more localised approach by combining clear signage, consistent enforcement, and public education to address the issue in a way that fits the needs of each community.’

The study comes hot on the heels of a report earlier in the month that found that four in five people would support a ban on drivers parking on pavements . While illegal in London and Scotland, there are no rules outlawing drivers from mounting the kerb across the rest of the UK. However, Labour has promised to take action on pavement parking in England after years of heel dragging by the previous regime. But before it does, the RAC ran its own straw poll to see how drivers would vote on a proposed policy change. It found that 83 per cent want ministers to crackdown on motorists who park on the footpath.

In contrast, just one in ten per cent polled said they do not think pavement parking should be outlawed. The panel was made up of 1,703 drivers. When the Daily Mail polled 2,700 readers last week, the breakdown was slightly less favourable towards an outright ban. Just 70 per cent supported the introduction of new laws making it illegal to park with wheels on the kerb.