What are the Differences in Waiting Restrictions Signs?

There are a number of signs that tell you where and when you can wait, park, load and unload vehicles. If you are parked illegally in a restricted area you can be given a fixed penalty by a traffic warden or you can also be caught by CCTV, which can be used to monitor such offences. We try to explain the most important signs that are commonly used in the UK.

Waiting Restrictions

Waiting restrictions usually apply to the whole of the highway including verges and footways, motorists are usually informed of the restrictions by markings on the road and adjacent signs. In permitted places, motorists can stop to pick up or set down passengers and where not prohibited load or unload. However if you are disabled and a blue badge holder then you can usually park for up to three hours in these bays and if you are in Scotland then there is no time limit.

If you are unsure if restrictions are in place an easy way to tell is that if there are yellow lines parallel to the kerb then yes the area you have parked in has restrictions in force. Some authorities working in environmentally sensitive areas use a pale shade of yellow and reduce the width of the lines – so do be careful when checking for yellow lines.

Check What the Signs State

Another useful tip is that the majority of areas will have yellow signs erected adjacent to the road so that the motorist is aware of the restrictions before leaving the vehicle.

If the sign does not indicate the days of the week that the restrictions apply then you should take it that the restrictions apply at the same times every day of the week including on a Sunday. This also means that if a bank holiday falls when the restrictions are in place then you cannot use that part of the road.

Parked Near a Stadium or Sporting Arena?

If the road is within close vicinity of a stadium or an arena you may need to be careful of when events are on as parking restrictions may apply, restrictions will be stated on the text plate.

Parking on a double yellow line could get you a ticket if you are seen by a traffic warden as it means no waiting at any time. An adjacent sign will be in close proximity and will state: "No Waiting at Any Time".

Whereas the, "At Any Time" restriction, applies for only part of the year. These signs can usually be found during the summer months at a holiday resort and for at least four consecutive months.

What do the Signs Look Like?

Yellow background with text place stating: "At Any Time 1 May – 30 Sep". There is also a circle with a blue background with a red stripe running through it. Below this sign there will be double yellow lines on the road.

Waiting is not permitted at any time for at least four consecutive months. The yellow signs are not used when the restriction applies all year round.

• A sign with a yellow background, the text states: "8am – 6pm". It also has a circle with a blue background with a red stripe running through it. On the road below the sign there is a yellow line in the shape of a T but positioned horizontally. This means that waiting is prohibited between times shown on the sign.
• A sign with a yellow background, there’s also a circle with a blue background with a red stripe running through it. This means a "No Waiting" sign is used on portable signs to mark temporary waiting restriction, it can also be seen on cones in the lead up to or during an event at a stadium or an arena.
• A sign at a road junction has a long white line telling drivers to keep clear of an entrance. The white line measures the length of road to be kept clear of stationary vehicles, at entrances to off-street premises or where the kerb is dropped to provide a convenient crossing place for pedestrians.