Drivers of popular car makes including Kia, BMW, Mercedes and Range Rover are being warned they could be hit with fines of up to £70 if they try to park in car parks.
That’s because a new rule has been introduced by at least five local councils which governs the maximum length a car is allowed to be to park in their car parking spaces. Currently, car parking bays are 4.8 metres long, but many popular cars now being sold today exceed that.
Autocar says it has had it in writing from five local councils that vehicles too long to fit into their spaces are now officially banned from parking in any of their council-run car parks. Any vehicle longer than five metres can no longer park in their car parks, which have a parking bay length which tops out at 4.8 metres and it stands to reason that those flouting the ban would be hit with Penalty Charge Notices if found.
Some of the best selling vehicles which would be affected include the Mercedes S-Class, Tesla Model S, BMW 7 Series, Range Rovers, the Audi A8 and the Kia EV9 as well as a Rolls Royce Cullinan, but there are others including high-end sports cars which would also be barred.
An FOI request from Autocar was sent to every council in the UK to ask if they planned to extend parking bays to accommodate longer cars which are now commonplace on British roads, as many haven’t been changed for decades.
Five local authorities – Wokingham, South Hampshire, Broadland, South Suffolk and West Devon – have confirmed they have banned any cars which don’t fit into their spaces.
Each local authority sets its own fine rates but, for example, West Devon Council charges either £50 or £70 for a PCN which reduces to £25 or £35 if paid within 14 days.
Unlike some private car parks, local council car park and on-street parking bays are legally enforceable so you must pay any fines or you could end up in court.