Can I park on yellow lines?

Double yellow lines indicate no parking “At Anytime” and there is no need for a sign. Therefore you should not park on these lines unless you are carrying out an exempt activity, see below.

You can only park on a single yellow line outside of the restricted time. These times are indicated by a sign, either on the road in question or, on entry into a Controlled Parking Zone. You are able to load/unload on a yellow line restriction and also alight passengers providing that this activity is continuous. Where there are chevrons on the kerb this means that no loading/unloading activity is permitted to take place. See below for information on loading bans.

A Blue Badge holder can park on yellow lines for up to 3 hours providing the loading ban (chevrons) are not in operation. Please see Blue Badge guidance.

Exempt activity

Most single and double yellow lines have exemptions in place which allow drivers to load/unload heavy and bulky goods or passengers to board/alight the vehicle.

Loading exemptions apply in places which are not covered by loading bans, see below. Boarding and alighting exemptions apply on every yellow line restriction in the borough.

Importantly both of the above exemptions are only applicable whilst the stated activity is taking place: i.e. if it is not evident that a person is boarding a vehicle when an officer is observing, no exemption is applicable. There is no allowance for drivers to wait for passengers to arrive; their passenger must be waiting to board.

Similarly if a vehicle is used to enable goods to be loaded/unloaded it should be shown that the vehicle is used necessarily for carrying the items (normally heavy/bulky items). Again, the exemption only applies whilst the activity is taking place, so it would not apply if loading is not seen during the time an officer observes the vehicle.

What is a Controlled Parking Zone?

A controlled parking zone (CPZ) is an area where parking is only permitted in designated parking bays, and the rest of the kerbside space is restricted by yellow lines.

In a controlled zone individual time plates are not required as large signs are erected at all the entry points into the zone clearly displaying the days and times that restrictions are in operation. These signs are double sided with one side showing that you are entering a controlled zone and the other showing you exit the zone.

As the zone can cover a large area it is advisable to assume you have not left the zone until you see a zone exit sign. The entry/exit signs relate directly to the enforcement of single yellow lines within the zone. Parking bays will be signed separately. Where do the restrictions apply?

Yellow lines are enforced up to the boundary of public highway where it meets private land including pavement, grass verge and central reservations.

How do I know if there is a loading restriction on a yellow line?

A loading restriction will be indicated by chevrons on the kerbside and for a single chevron there will also be a sign stating the times of the restriction.

Single chevrons indicate a “peak hour ban”, check the signs. Double chevrons indicate an “At Anytime ban”, no need for signs.

A Blue Badge holder can park on yellow lines for up to 3 hours providing the loading ban (chevrons) are not in operation. Please see Blue Badge guidance.

We are now issuing Regulation 10 Penalty Charge Notices. This means that if you are seen, by a CCTV operator or a Civil Enforcement Officer in our Camera Car, to be parked on a on a restriction we can issue a notice by post. This will be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

Are single yellow lines enforceable on a bank holiday?

Single yellow lines are enforceable on the days and during the times as stated on the sign. If the sign states Monday to Saturday then the restrictions apply on a bank holiday.

Most restrictions apply on a bank holiday in Luton as they are some of our busiest days of the year. Our shops and other businesses tend to stay open which often results in an increase in local traffic.

I have received a PCN when parking on yellow lines what do I do?

You should then decide whether to:

 pay the Penalty Charge Notice.  appeal the Penalty Charge Notice.