Road Markings/Single Yellow Lines

Single Yellow Lines are used across the country to identify places where parking is prohibited at certain times. They are accompanied by plates mounted on posts or nearby buildings giving further information on the restrictions in place, whether it is just no parking, or no loading / waiting as well for instance within the times specified. The restriction applies from the centre line of the road to the back of the pavement. However it is a greyer area as to whether the restrictions apply where private land abuts the side of the road in the form of a private parking bay or similar. Such circumstances can be found outside business premises where parking is a regular occurrence.

Standard Single Yellow Lines are painted quite thickly, however there is also a narrower marking which is allowed to be used in heritage areas where a less visually intrusive marking is desirable. The Lines are terminated with short cross lines running from the outside of the main marking, and extending beyond to the kerb.

In the past Single Yellow Lines were commonly accompanied by additional yellow lines marked on the kerb, meaning a variety of different restrictions were in place. However, these seem to no longer be in use, with local authorities using plates as described above to provide a clearer definition of the restrictions.

Common Restrictions

The most common usage of single yellow lines is in town centre areas where parking is prohibited during the working day, for example from 8am to 6pm, but allowed overnight. This serves the dual purpose of allowing larger vehicles access to the town without having to negotiate parked cars, and so make deliveries etc, whilst also providing overnight parking for local residents. Single Yellow Lines can also be used for more specific restrictions, such as 5am-3pm on Thursdays to allow for a market to take place, or from 8am-10am and 2.30pm-4.30pm outside a school.

Within a Single Yellow Line zone, it is also common for restrictions such as those in place in Dashed Yellow Line areas to be in place. This would limit parking to x hours, no returning in x minutes for instance.

Exemptions

The main exemption to no parking restrictions on Single Yellow Lines is for disabled badge holders. However, it is still expected that their vehicles are parked in a safe place without causing obstructions to other road users, and vehicles can still be subject to normal fines / removal if they are left in dangerous locations despite displaying disabled badges. This is also the case if they obstruct a more specific restriction, such as that for a market as suggested above.