A truly unusual story has recently emerged in the UK thanks to the publication YorkshireLive. The report says that homeowners in the country have become frustrated by people who don’t live at their house parking on their driveways without permission.
It sounds like a scene from a sitcom or TV series, but it is true. Homeowners have complained that the cars have been left on driveways for days, sometimes weeks, and they have been unsure how to tackle the problem. They have worried they will face consequences if they have any of the cars removed.
There is the possibility that, if you try to remove a car from your driveway and you cause damage, you could be held liable. However, there is good news, as both the RAC and British police have clarified what you can and can’t do and how you can best tackle the situation.
The situation does uncover some flaws in how cases like this are tackled in the UK. However, in cases where it does happen, it is called trespassing, meaning that in the UK it is classified as a civil offence rather than a criminal one. That alone can cause several complications.
What Have UK Homeowners Been Reporting?
Homeowners reported several instances of vehicles that are not theirs parking on their driveways. According to YorkshireLife, one person posted about it on Facebook. They said, “I was wondering if there is anything I can do about someone parking in my driveway. The car has now been there for 2 days.”
A response said, “If you cause any damage to the car, you can be held liable, so be careful what advice you follow. You’re better off speaking to someone legal who actually knows the correct answer rather than asking on here, as you could get yourself in trouble.” It is this risk of damaging a vehicle that can lead to problems, as being able to call somebody in to simply remove the vehicle would make things much easier.
Because it is classed as a civil offence, you can’t get the police involved. The vehicle can’t be ticketed or towed, and the homeowner has to resolve the situation themselves. “This can be incredibly frustrating for homeowners who find their driveway blocked by a stranger’s vehicle, as the legal remedies aren’t as straightforward as many people expect,” security company Wentworth Protection said. The RAC said that while there is no criminal law against it, it is still classed as trespassing; however, the police can’t get involved.
How a Car Can Be Removed From a UK Driveway
There are ways in which a car can be removed from a driveway, should this occur to anyone in the UK. If the car had been abandoned and did not have up-to-date tax, insurance and MOT, then the local council would be required to move it. However, if the car is fully legal and given that a driveway is private land, the council has no authority to remove it in that instance.
“The best thing to do on a one-off is to keep calm and don’t let the situation escalate,” said the RAC. “Never take the law into your own hands and do not stoop to revenge tactics that could get you prosecuted also,” they added. They also said that speaking to the owner of the car can ensure that it does not happen again. There are also instances where legal action can work in your favor.
Cars Can Be Removed From Driveways With Legal Action
The RAC experts stated that if you bring in a civil trespassing case, that could successfully get the car off the driveway. The courts possess the authority to remove them from the driveway. “Your solicitor would be able to get the civil court’s permission to find out the legal owner of the vehicle involved, and a judge would have to make its removal an order of the court,” said the RAC. Pursuing a legal claim for nuisance behaviour is also an option. However, removing the car yourself is not recommended, as you could be liable for any damage that it sustains.