19th May 2026
There are no new DVLA parking rules coming in this week. The stories circulating online are real, but they are not DVLA rules and not taking effect this week. They refer to new pavement‑parking enforcement powers for English councils, created by the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, which received Royal Assent on 13 May 2026. These powers do not apply in Scotland, and they are not DVLA rules.
What is actually changing?
The change is England‑only, not UK‑wide.
It is not a DVLA rule — it comes from new council enforcement powers, not from the vehicle licensing agency.
Councils in England will soon be able to ban pavement parking on specific streets and issue fines of £60–£130.
It is not a single national ban; each council chooses where to enforce.
These powers started with Royal Assent on 13 May 2026, but local roll‑outs will take months, not days.
What’s not true?
No new DVLA parking rules this week
No UK‑wide change
No immediate nationwide fines
No change at all for Scotland (Scotland already has its own pavement‑parking ban since 2023)
Why the confusion?
Several news sites have run headlines like “New parking rules coming this week” or “DVLA warns drivers”.
But the DVLA is not involved — it’s a council enforcement change, and the only confirmed development is the Royal Assent on 13 May 2026.
Scotland
Scotland has a nationwide ban on pavement parking, double parking, and parking at dropped kerbs, in force since 11 December 2023. Councils can issue £100 fines (reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days). Some limited exemptions exist, but only where strict criteria are met.
Scotland’s Pavement‑Parking Rules (Current Law)
1. The core rule
It is illegal to park on a pavement anywhere in Scotland, unless a council has created a formal exemption.
A vehicle is considered “on the pavement” if any wheel is on the footway.
2. What else is banned?
Double parking (parking away from the kerb, blocking the road)
Parking at dropped kerbs at recognised crossing points
These are national prohibitions under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019.
3. Penalties
Standard fine: £100
Reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days
Local authorities enforce this through Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
Exemptions (Very Limited)
Councils may exempt specific pavements only if one of these is true:
At least 1.5 metres of pavement remains unobstructed, or
Parking on the road would block an emergency vehicle.
Any exemption must be formally ordered, signed, and marked.
There are also national exceptions for:
Emergency services
Medical emergencies
Certain deliveries/collections
Roadworks or obstruction removal
…but only when no reasonable alternative exists.
What this means in practice (Highlands & Caithness included)
All pavement parking is illegal by default — even in rural areas.
Councils must signpost any exemptions, so if there’s no sign, assume it’s banned.
Highland Council has the same enforcement powers as every other Scottish authority.
The rules apply equally in Wick, Thurso, rural villages, and Inverness.
Why Scotland introduced this ban
The Scottish Government’s aim is to improve accessibility, especially for:
wheelchair users
people with prams
visually impaired pedestrians
older residents
Pavement obstruction was identified as a major barrier to safe walking and wheeling.