Guide to parking signs and rules

Figures from a leading insurer show that UK motorists are baffled as to the meaning of parking signs and regulations - with an astonishing 95 per cent having no idea what some common parking regulations mean.

Esure car insurance says that the explosion in new parking technologies, regulations and signs leave drivers confused as to how much to pay, where they can park and for long.

25 per cent of those questioned said that they had been issued a penalty parking fine in the last year, while 69 per cent claimed they felt unfairly penalised.

74 per cent failed to recognise all The Highway Code rules for parking, and 93 per cent of drivers admitted they felt confused about parking regulations.

Adding to the confusion is the rise of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE), where local authorities assume the responsibility for enforcing many parking regulations instead of the police. 200 councils in England (outside London) and Wales that have taken on civil-enforcement powers and issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) themselves.

Although motorists complain about too many signs or too little in various places, 60 per cent of drivers feel that signs are often deliberately misleading.

One in ten of those questioned claimed that had been issued with a parking penalty while their car was in a hospital car park - with 78 per cent hoping England will follow Scotland and Wales by banning the unpopular fines.

When asked to identify a selection of parking signs, the motorists questioned could only correctly recognise a third of the signs, on average.

A staggering 95 per cent of motorists asked were unable to identify the correct meaning of a ‘brown badge holder’ sign, while 82 per cent were unsure what double white lines mean with regards to parking.

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure car insurance, said: “As more and more local councils take on Decriminalised Parking Enforcement, it is important to check with your local authority for any signs specific to your area that you don’t understand.

“Although parking violations won’t affect your insurance premium, they can significantly affect the overall cost of running a car, so do your best to avoid them. And of course, if you don’t think a parking penalty was fair then take the time to contest it.

"Refer to the terms of the Road Traffic Act but above all, keep a copy of the Highway Code in your glove box as a reference – to avoid parking in the wrong place all together.”

• Read up on our guide to parking signs below to prevent being caught out: