laws on driveways do you have to have a droped kerb?

Question

i have adriveway but not a droped kerb is their any law which prevents me from useing my drive

Answer 1

We don't have 'states' here in the UK.

Technically it is illegal to drive across the footpath.
If you live on a busy road, or have to negotiate other street 'furniture' including awkwardly and very high kerbs, a pillar box, phone box, street light column, or a bus stop, or you have to drive over a GPO or electrical box inspection cover, or FH hydrant to get there, you could be prosecuted if you damaging this type of item by driving over it or hiting it accidentally.

You will also be in severe trouble if you cause an accident when ascending or descending your 'driveway', if it is a busy road, bare this in mind.

The length of your driveway must also be a minimum length of 17FT (just over 5 metres) and (usually the normal length of a garage).

Also there is nothing stopping anyone else blocking your car in by parking in front of your 'drive' as someone else mentioned before, 'til you have the kerb dropped.

A drop kerb has to be installed by the council or by a council approved contractor. They usually charge £100 per sq metre area. If the footpath is wide then the job will cost you. If you are lucky and the area is small you could get it done for around £400-500.

Any extras such at a telegraph poll, post box etc or FH as I have mentioned will hike the price up enormously as this involves other companies work' too.

Answer 2

A few years ago I was in the same position as yourself, frequently not being able to drive from my driveway because of parked cars.

Research I did at the time came up with the following:

I was breaking the law by driving across the footpath to get to my drive

Parking on public highways (irrespective of in front of your property or not) means just that - for the use of all road users unless marked otherwise by the legal authorities.

After getting permission from the local authorities to have a dropped kerb and paying to have it installed which included an area of concrete to replace paving stones, I have had virtually no problem whatsoever with parking. Most reasonable people will respect the dropped kerb and access way as being an area not to block.

Because I have not had problems since I have never had to recourse to law to test the situation, though I understand a local byelaw permits me to have access from my property on to the highway but strangely no automatic right to have access from the highway to my property.

I hope this info will be of assistance.

Answer 3

If you don't have a dropped kerb and drive over the kerbstones and damage them the Council will hit you with repair costs...Also without paying the Council the relevant fees and having the kerb dropped officially, should you install a drive on your premises there is nothing to stop ANYONE from parking across your entrance, whereas with it done officially you can contact the olice should it arise and have the vehicle towed away or the owner reprimanded and forced to move it.

Answer 4

The answer is yes you do need a droped kerb as it is illegal to drive over a pavement unless you have a droped kerb if you knock someone over you can be prosecuted for endangering the public and obstructing a pedestrian walkway

Answer 5

I don't believe there is a law which prevents you from using your driveway, but driving over the kerb when parking in your driveway is likely to causing some damage to your car's wheel balancing, alignment and the suspension.

Answer 6

No law against it but there are city or county ordinances that would require the curb to be cut and made as a proper driveway.
I wouldn't have made you cut it when I was an inspector but if someone complained then I would. Also like someone else said anybody could park at curb in front of it and not much you could do about it.

Answer 7

Yes. You must have a drop kerb to gain access onto your drive, it is classed as the public right away

Answer 8

No but I would say either drop the curb or put a little ramp there so you dont damage your underside by banging it. Did you also know that it is ilegal to block someones drive with your vehicle

Answer 9

Frank S, You have a right out of your property but it seems that `cos your vehicle is fit for the road, you can park on that, if you can`t access your driveway. Strange.

Answer 10

There wouldn't be a law, passed by the state to have a dropped curb, but your local town may have an ordinace stating that you have to have one. I would contact your street department and talk to them. But as a state law,,no.