Pavement parking FAQs

What are the new rules?

New Scotland-wide parking legislation means it is now illegal to:

• park on pavements
• double park
• park at pedestrian crossing points
• park on road verges, which lie between roads and pavements

The new rules became law on Monday 11 December 2023 and we started enforcement on Monday 6 January 2025.

Why were they introduced? 

The new rules will make it safer for pedestrians and road users as parking on pavements:

• prevents people from walking safely on pavements and around their neighbourhood
• can be hazardous for people with disabilities, or those pushing prams, buggies or wheelchairs
• damages pavements, which are expensive to repair and become a trip hazard for everyone

How is it being enforced?

Parking attendants have powers to issue parking tickets to vehicles parked on pavements, at pedestrian crossing points, dropped kerbs or double parked. A parking ticket will be issued at the national level of £100 but reduced to £50 if paid within the first 14 days.

What are the parking contraventions?

The new contravention codes that will appear on penalty charge notices are:

• Code 100 - parked on pavement or verge
• Code 101 - parked next to pedestrian dropped or raised crossing point
• Code 102 - double parking

What if cars, parked fully on the road, block streets because there is not enough space and prevent access for emergency services, public transport or refuse collection?

This could already happen in some streets around the city, but is not a common occurrence. However, parking in such a manner may constitute to an obstruction to the road which should be reported to Police Scotland on their non-emergency number 101. They may take action against drivers of these vehicles. It is the responsibility of each driver to park their vehicle considerately and not cause an obstruction. If you cannot park with all four wheels on the carriageway without blocking traffic, you should park elsewhere.

Will there be exceptions?

There are certain exceptions permitted under the Act, the full terms of which can be found in Section 55 of the Act and include if the vehicle is:

• being used for Police, Ambulance, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard, or naval or air force purposes*
• being used for, or in connection with, the undertaking of roadworks, the removal of an obstruction to traffic, the collection of waste by or on behalf of a local authority, or postal services*
• being used by a registered medical practitioner, nurse or midwife for urgent or emergency health care*
• being used to provide assistance at an accident or breakdown*
• in the course of business, being used for the purpose of delivering, collecting goods, or unloading, provided it is parked for no longer than is necessary for that use, and in any event, no more than a continuous period of 20 minutes*

*These exceptions are conditional upon:

1. the purpose or function would be hindered if the vehicle were no parked on the pavement
2. no part of the vehicle should be within 1.5 metres of the edge of the pavement furthest from the carriageway
3. the vehicle is parked for no longer than is necessary (up to 20 minutes in the case of vehicles making a delivery)

In each case, drivers may only park on the pavement if there is no alternative and they must leave a 1.5 metre gap between their vehicle and the edge of the footway furthest from the carriageway.

Are delivery drivers exempt?

There is no specific exception for deliver drivers, and they are expected to follow the rules of the road like any other driver. However, in certain limited circumstances should all conditions be met, there are allowances to wait on the pavement or double park to allow essential deliveries to be completed. Full details of the exception can be found in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019.

Are disabled badge holders exempt?

Disabled badge holders are not exempt from the the ban.

Are taxis exempt?

Taxis are not exempt from the ban.

Is there a legal requirement for an observation period to be observed for double parking, parking on a pavement, parking at a dropped kerb?

No. Parking tickets can be issued immediately.

Can I park on the grass verge or grass strip? 

No, the new parking rules also include grass verges which lie between the carriageway and the footway and grass strips which form part of the footway.

Where can I report double parking, footway parking, or parking at a pedestrian crossing/dropped kerb?

You can report these on MyPKC. We will do our best to respond quickly, but we may not be able to visit every street where incorrect parking is reported to us.

There is a dropped kerb at the driveway to my home, can I park in front of it?

Yes, the new rules do not apply to parking in front of driveways, garages or property entrances. However, if there's an existing restriction in place, such as a single yellow line, this will still apply. However, you should not park on the pavement adjacent to your driveway as this could still be enforced.

Someone else has parked over my driveway, can you help?

Only in the case that one or more wheels of a vehicle are on the footway, then it could fall under the pavement parking rules, meaning we would be able to enforce it. Otherwise, there would need to be other restrictions present such as single or double yellow lines. If this is not the case and it is preventing you from getting your vehicle out of your driveway, then it could be classed as an obstruction, which should be reported to Police Scotland on their non-emergency number 101.

How will I know if a dropped kerb will be enforced or not?

There are many types of pedestrian crossings points around the Perth and Kinross Council area, but only those intended to help pedestrians cross the road to the other side are likely to be enforced. These mainly include:

• where a designated crossing has been introduced, such as a puffin or toucan crossing
• where a pedestrian island is situated
• at the end of the street
• where tactile paving is located
• where a dropped crossing is directly opposite on the other side of the road

There is a raised crossing point in the middle of my street, will this be enforced?

Yes, the prohibition on parking at pedestrian crossing points also applies where the carriageway has been raised to meet the level of the pavement.

Does it apply to cul-de-sacs?

Yes, the ban applies to cul-de-sacs.

Does it apply if I am just dropping off a passenger?

Yes, it does apply.

Are private roads or privately-owned pavements subject to the prohibition?

Yes, the prohibition applies to roads and pavements accessible to the general public, regardless of ownership. However, it does not apply to private accesses.

Private access is typically defined as:

• driveways or paths leading to a single property
• areas restricted to the general public
• privately maintained roads not intended for public use
• spaces serving only the residents or businesses directly connected to them
• locations with clear restrictions on pedestrian or vehicular access

Next steps after submitting an exemption request?

After submission, your exemption request will be logged and assessed. This may take several months, and we will notify you of the outcome.