If you’re ever in a situation where you need to park on a single yellow line, it’s important to know the rules you’ll need to follow to avoid fines. The cost of parking fines varies across the country, with some areas charging upwards of £100. This doesn’t mean that you’ll incur a charge every time you park on a single yellow line, though, as there are certain times of the day when you can legally park there.
To help you stay safe on the road and avoid breaking driving laws, we’re looking at what yellow lines mean and when exactly you can park on one without getting fined.
The new laws could see potential changes to the cost of fuel, the eyesight test during driving lessons and other road regulations, so to help you stay prepared, we’re looking at new driving laws in 2024.
A single yellow line is used to show that you can’t park on the marking during certain times of the day. Often, there are signs nearby that will tell you the times when you can’t park on the single yellow line and could receive a fine if you do so. However, you are allowed to park on a single yellow line outside of the times shown.
If you see a single yellow line with a sign which says “Mon-Fri 10am-6pm", for example, this means that the parking restrictions apply during these hours. If you choose to park here on a Saturday, Sunday or after 6pm, this would then be legal – just make sure to move your car before the time that the parking restrictions are active again.
If there are no signs that tell you when you can’t park on the single yellow line, it’s best to check with the local council as restrictions can vary depending on the area. We’d recommend either giving them a ring or playing it safe and avoid parking there.
Can you stop to drop people off?
As you’re not technically parking on the single yellow line for an extended period of time and are simply stopping by the side of the road, it’s likely that this wouldn’t be a problem. It’s stated by the AA that “you can usually stop to drop off or pick up passengers unless signs say otherwise”.
Again, it’s important to check local signage to make sure that you don’t break any laws by stopping in restricted areas.
The key difference between single and double yellow lines is the parking restrictions and when they’re in place. Double yellow lines mean that you can’t park there at any time. Single yellow lines, on the other hand, do allow parking at certain times.
If you are caught parking on either of these types of yellow lines (during hours restrictions apply) you could face a Penalty Charge Notice. The only exceptions are if temporary stopping for loading is allowed or, in some cases, if you are a blue badge holder.
What about other types of coloured lines?
You may have also seen red and white parking lines which have a different set of rules. Red single lines mean that you can’t stop, load or park during specified times, while double red lines mean that you can’t do any of those at any time.
A single white line, which is solid and runs alongside the road, often means that parking is allowed here. The only exception to this is if the single white line is used to show that there is no pavement, in which case parking there would be illegal.
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