Our top tips to getting roadside parking right

Ideally, we all love a good comfortable bay to park in – it tends to make everything a lot easier, doesn’t it? Realistically though, bays aren’t always available, which means that whether you’ve decided to hire a car or you’re driving your own, you’re going to have to keep your roadside parking skills sharp. So to help make everything a bit easier, here’s a couple of quick pointers for general roadside parking!

Watch out for parking signs and regulations

Before you park up and turn off your engine, one of the first things to do is look out for any parking signs or markings that might be in the area – most will generally be pretty easy to spot, since they’re designed to be after all.

For example, double yellow lines mean no parking at any time, while single yellow lines indicate restricted parking during certain hours. Always check for additional signs that provide specific details about these restrictions. You may well also spot parking that’s for residents only, or only valid with a specific permit. If you can’t see any, it’s still a good idea to keep your eyes peeled once you get out of your car too – some can be irritatingly subtle, but unfortunately you almost certainly won’t be able to use that as any kind of defence if you’re issued with a parking charge.

Choosing a safe and legal parking spot

Of course, even once you’re sure that your parking spot isn’t subject to any potentially awkward parking restrictions, you’ll also need to ensure that the space is not only legal, but also… you know, safe.

It’s a good idea to avoid parking near corners, pedestrian crossings, and bus stops as these areas are often restricted. You’ll also want to ensure that your car isn’t obstructing any driveways, fire hydrants, or emergency exits – that can be a surefire way to get clamped. The best option is generally a well-lit area along a public road – as an extra bonus, that can also help deter theft and vandalism.

Residential areas versus city centres

Parking in residential areas often comes with its own set of challenges. We’ve touched on many of them above, but just to be specific – you’ll need to avoid blocking residents’ driveways, for starters, and look to ensure that there aren’t any areas that require a permit for parking (lots of them do, especially in big cities like Manchester).

It’s also courteous to avoid parking directly in front of someone’s home if there are other available spots nearby – best case scenario you might get a stern talking to, or a sharp note under your windscreen wiper. In the worst case scenarios, people might get a little more… well, creative. Best not to tempt fate!

City centres on the other hand are often bustling with activity, making parking a challenge. Look for multi-storey car parks or park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts to avoid the hassle of finding a spot on crowded streets.

If you must park on the street, you’ll probably need to brace yourself to pay higher rates and adhere strictly to the posted restrictions. Using a parking app can help you find available spots and compare prices, saving you time and money. Most people (understandably) regard that as a bit of a hassle, but it’s definitely worth considering if you find yourself frequently parking in city centres.

What happens if I receive a parking ticket in a hire car?

We addressed this in detail in a recent blog – essentially the short answer is that you’re liable for it if you were responsible for the vehicle at the time, and the hire agreements make sure to specify that responsibility. (That’s true both for us at Intack, and other organisations.) While it’s obviously irritating, it’s thankfully not that tricky to deal with – the blog we’ve detailed above lays out a handy three-step process for how to deal with it.

And of course, if you’ve got any questions or you need any advice, whether on parking or about hiring a car or van, you can always get in touch with our team here at Intack Self Drive. You can give us a call on 01254 57811, and we'll be more than happy to help you in any way we can. Alternatively, if you’ve already got all the information you need, you can take your pick from our extensive fleet of vehicles for hire, including more than 450 cars, vans, and minibuses. We offer both Flexi hire and daily hire options, so you can rent the vehicle for as long or as little as you need!