Waiting and parking signs and guidelines
The following signs are an indication of the signs that may be used in, or around, Plymouth:
- End of controlled parking zone
- Entrance to controlled parking zone
- Waiting is limited to the duration specified during the days and times shown
- Loading bay
- No loading or unloading at the times shown
- No loading or unloading at any time
- No waiting during times shown on sign
- No waiting at any time
- No stopping during the times shown except for as long as necessary to set down or pick up passengers
- Parking restricted to permit holders
- No stopping during period indicated except for buses
- Area in which cameras are used to enforce traffic regulations
- Parking place for solo motorcycles
Please look carefully for signs when you park to ensure you comply with the guidance given.
Highway Code advice
The following information is reproduced from the Highway Code:
238
You must not wait or park on yellow lines during the times of operation shown on nearby time plates (or zone entry signs if in a Controlled Parking Zone). Double yellow lines indicate a prohibition of waiting at any time even if there are no upright signs. You must not wait or park, or stop to set down and pick up passengers, on school entrance markings when upright signs indicate a prohibition of stopping.
Parking
239
Use off-street parking areas, or bays marked out with white lines on the road as parking places, wherever possible. If you have to stop on the roadside:
- do not park facing against the traffic flow
- stop as close as you can to the side
- do not stop too close to a vehicle displaying a blue badge: remember, the occupant may need more room to get in or out
- you must switch off the engine, headlights and fog lights
- you must apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle
- you must ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door, check for cyclists or other traffic
- it is safer for your passengers (especially children) to get out of the vehicle on the side next to the kerb
- put all valuables out of sight and make sure your vehicle is secure
- lock your vehicle
240
You must not stop or park on:
- the carriageway or the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency
- a pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by the zig-zag lines
- a clearway
- taxi bays as indicated by upright signs and markings
- an urban clearway within its hours of operation, even when a broken white line is on your side of the road, except to pick up or set down passengers
- a road marked with double white lines, except to pick up or set down passengers
- a tram or cycle lane during its period of operation
- a cycle track
- red lines, in the case of specially designated 'red routes', unless otherwise indicated by signs
Any vehicle may enter a bus lane to stop, load or unload where this is not prohibited.
242
You must not leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road.
243
Do not stop or park:
- near a school entrance
- anywhere you would prevent access for emergency services
- at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank
- on the approach to a level crossing/tramway crossing
- opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
- near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
- opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked vehicle
- where you would force other traffic to enter a tram lane
- where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles
- in front of an entrance to a property
- on a bend
- where you would obstruct cyclists' use of cycle facilities except when forced to do so by stationary traffic
244
You must not park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.
245
Controlled Parking Zones
The zone entry signs indicate the times when the waiting restrictions within the zone are in force. Parking may be allowed in some places at other times. Otherwise parking will be within separately signed and marked bays.
246
Goods vehicles
Vehicles with a maximum laden weight of over 7.5 tonnes (including any trailer) must not be parked on a verge, pavement or any land situated between carriageways, without police permission. The only exception is when parking is essential for loading and unloading, in which case the vehicle must not be left unattended.
247
Loading and unloading
Do not load or unload where there are yellow markings on the kerb and upright signs advise restrictions are in place. This may be permitted where parking is otherwise restricted. On red routes, specially marked and signed bays indicate where and when loading and unloading is permitted.
Parking at night
248
You must not park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.
249
All vehicles must display parking lights when parked on a road or a lay-by on a road with a speed limit greater than 30 mph (48 km/h).
250
Cars, goods vehicles not exceeding 1525 kg unladen weight, invalid carriages, motorcycles and pedal cycles may be parked without lights on a road (or lay-by) with a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) or less if they are:
- at least 10 metres (32 feet) away from any junction, close to the kerb and facing in the direction of the traffic flow
- in a recognised parking place or lay-by
Other vehicles and trailers, and all vehicles with projecting loads, must not be left on a road at night without lights.
251
Parking in fog
It is especially dangerous to park on the road in fog. If it is unavoidable, leave your parking lights or sidelights on.
252
Parking on hills
If you park on a hill you should:
- park close to the kerb and apply the handbrake firmly
- select a forward gear and turn your steering wheel away from the kerb when facing uphill
- select reverse gear and turn your steering wheel towards the kerb when facing downhill
- use 'park' if your car has an automatic gearbox