Vans are subject to slightly different laws than cars and other vehicles.
If you’re planning on moving house, or on transporting a heavy or bulky item from one place to another, then you might be thinking about hiring a van. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the rules before you set out, so you can avoid any troubles in the long-term.
In this post we’ll take a look at the rules concerning parking vans in residential areas.
If you are thinking of hiring a van, don’t forget that you’ll need appropriate insurance cover! We can help you get instant online temporary van insurance to last from one hour to 28 days. Get a free quote online today.
Can You Park A Van in a Residential Area?
In the majority of cases, you can park a van anywhere you can park a car. This means that you can park a van in a residential area. However, you need to make sure you park your van legally, whether that’s in a driveway, an off-street carpark, or in a parking bay on the road marked with white lines.
If you park on the roadside, make sure there are no yellow or red line markings, and be aware of any local parking regulations. Look for any nearby signs for information about permits, parking hours, and other restrictions.
If you’re parking at night, The Highway Code also advises that you park a van facing the direction of traffic – unless you’re in a marked parking space.
Remember to be courteous. Don’t park anywhere that will cause any hassle for any residents in the area – even if it’s legal for you to do so. For example, avoid parking somewhere that will prevent natural light from entering someone’s home, or that will block someone’s view when they’re trying to leave their driveway.
Things To Remember When Parking a Van
Vans take up more space than cars. This might sound obvious, but it can be easy to forget if you’re not used to driving a van! So when parking a van, make sure you don’t block any entrances or driveways. Avoid blocking pathways for pedestrians and other road users.
The Highway Code provides a list of places you should avoid parking. This includes the areas opposite junctions, and near the entrances to residential homes and schools.
Here are some other things to remember when parking a van:
- Don’t park or wait on double yellow lines for any amount of time. This includes for loading and unloading.
- For single yellow lines, look for nearby signs detailing any times when parking’s not allowed.
- Don’t park or stop on pedestrian crossings. This includes the area marked by zigzag lines.
- Don’t park in spaces reserved for residents, motorbikes, or other specific users. And don’t park in any disabled bays unless you’re a Blue Badge holder.
- Avoid parking on the pavement. This isn’t allowed anywhere in London, but you should avoid doing it anywhere unless nearby signs specifically say that it’s allowed.
- Be mindful of the height of your van especially when travelling under low bridges or
Special Rules for Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs)
Unless you’re part of a professional fleet, it’s unlikely you’ll ever drive a large goods vehicle (LGV), which is defined as a van with a maximum load weight of over 7.5 tonnes. But if you do find yourself driving an LGV, then you cannot park it on a verge or pavement, or on any land between two carriageways.
However, you can temporarily stop in such places for loading and unloading, but only if someone stays with the LGV at all times.
Ready to Rent a Van?
So to conclude, the rules for parking vans in residential areas are pretty much the same as the rules for parking cars. So long as you take care, and so long as you’re courteous to other road users, you should be OK.
We have further guides that will help you prepare for hiring a van:
Finally, if you are thinking of hiring a van, don’t forget that you’ll need appropriate insurance cover! We can help you get instant online temporary van insurance to last from one hour to 28 days. Get a free quote online today.
