UK roads have plenty of signs and rules that drivers must follow, so it’s no surprise that a few of the more unusual ones can be a bit confusing if you don’t see them too often.
If you’re a driver who doesn’t park on roads very often or is using a new road to park, you might agree with Reddit users who have said signs which allow parking in an area at certain times can be tricky to understand.
Sharing a picture of a road sign with parking information on it, one user on the platform asked: “Can I park here on a Monday night 10pm for just 1 hour?”
Road signs many drivers don't know
They added: “The way I understand this is after 8pm it’s free.
“There are other cars parked on this street, but wondering if it means after 8pm nobody can park?
“I’ve checked Google, and from what I read, I can park there but just checking with the community if people with experience agree.
“Just need to be in here for 1 hour. Any advice?”
The road sign in question says drivers can stay there for a maximum of two hours but mustn’t return within an hour.
These rules apply between 8am and 8pm Monday to Sunday, as detailed on the sign, which also gives drivers the location code and a phone number to pay for parking.
One Reddit user attempted to clear up the issue: "Yes, parking is free from 8pm all the way to 8am the next morning".
Someone else replied to this advice, adding: "*with no restrictions".
Can I park here on a Monday night 10pm for just 1 hour?
by u/asterismking in AskUK
This person added: "8am-8pm is max of 2hr stay and you have to pay.
"Csnt [sic] return within an hour.
"8pm-8am, park as long as you like for free."
Another Reddit user asked a slightly different question: "So if you park overnight, would you have to move your car at 8am or would you still get the 2 hours stay starting at 8am, so would have to move by 10am?"
To which someone else replied: "Would need to commence paying at 8am-10am then move and you can’t return to park again until after 11am."
More confusion arose among Redditors, with one saying: "What means ‘max stay’ if then says ‘1hr no return’?" while another commented: "What happens if I leave within one hour if i paid?"
Mark Hambling, head of personal injury at Rogers and Norton, said that using the picture posted to Reddit, which only shows the parking sign and no other potential restrictions or signs, he would suggest that drivers "can park for two hours provided you do not return within an hour of your last parking period expiring and provided that is within the hours of 8am – 8pm and you make payment as directed."
He added: "Effectively, you cannot park between 1pm and 3pm (and pay) and then pay again for 3pm to 5pm.
"The availability of 2 hours paid parking is enforced between 8am and 8pm every day of the week.
"It is therefore a pay-to-park area every day during the operating hours of 8am – 8pm."
Hambling said that with the information given in the picture, he can suggest that "beyond 8pm and until 7.59am the next day on every day of the week you can park there but do not pay as the period is not operating."
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He added: "This is my interpretation and in the absence of a retainer to provide the advice, I cannot be held liable for my interpretation.
"If anyone seeks formal advice on the interpretation, they should seek and pay for independent legal advice."
What the Highway Code says about parking bay rules and signs
Rule 245 of the Highway Code discusses controlled parking zones and says: "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."
What happens if you stay parked in a controlled zone for too long?
If you overstay in a controlled zone, you can expect to be issued a parking fine.
This can happen whether you’re parked in a council-owned area or private car parks like supermarkets.
Even if there are no parking officers, you can still be caught if cameras are installed and you’ll be notified of your breach.
What is the 10-minute grace period for parking?
In England, drivers can use a 10-minute grace period to allow themselves time to get back to their car, in eligible areas.
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The UK Parking Patrol Office says: "The rule applies to designated on-street and off-street parking places provided under traffic orders, whether the permitted parking period is paid or free.
"The vehicle must have been parked lawfully and the permitted period must have ended."
Since parking rules differ across the UK, motorists need to be aware of the current rules in the areas where they choose to park to avoid being fined.
Are there any road signs you don’t understand? Let us know in the comments below.
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