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Someone Has Parked on My Driveway. Again. What Can I Actually Do About It?

Published: 26/08/2026
Written by Curwens Solicitors

 There is a special kind of rage reserved for discovering that a complete stranger has parked on your driveway. Again.

It is not a free car park. It is your driveway. You paid for it, maintain it, and probably spend too much time worrying about weeds growing through it.

And yet someone has apparently decided it is now their personal parking space. Again. The obvious response is to call the police. Sadly, the law has other ideas.

If someone repeatedly parks on your driveway without permission, Curwens Solicitors can advise you on your legal options and the steps you can take to protect your property. Our property dispute solicitors can assess repeated trespass, advise on possible court action and explain whether an injunction may be appropriate. Call us on 020 8363 4444 or complete our online contact form to discuss your situation. 

driveway picture of a red mini car


“But they're trespassing!”

Yes. Probably. Parking on private land without permission will generally amount to civil trespass. The important word is “civil”. Ordinarily, this is not something the police will deal with as a criminal offence. This can feel deeply unsatisfying.
A solicitor can help; but don't expect instant results.

If you know who is responsible, particularly if the same neighbour, contractor or visitor keeps doing it, a solicitor can send a formal letter requiring them to stop. That letter can make clear that the land is private, permission has not been given, and continued trespass may result in legal proceedings.

If the behaviour persists, court action may be available. Depending on the circumstances, that could include a claim for trespass or nuisance and, in an appropriate case, an injunction preventing further interference with your property.
Litigation costs money.

If someone parks on your drive for half an hour and causes no measurable financial loss, spending thousands pursuing them through the courts may make little financial sense. Legal action becomes more attractive where the conduct is repeated, deliberate and seriously interferes with your enjoyment of your property.

There is also the practical problem of identifying the offender. A registration number identifies the vehicle, not necessarily the driver. The DVLA may disclose registered keeper information where there is a legitimate “reasonable cause”, but that is not the same as handing over someone's details simply because you are annoyed about their parking habits.

Whatever you do, don't become the defendant.

This is the really important bit. The vehicle remains the legal property of its owner, and its protections against damage or interference apply no matter where it is parked. Furthermore, Section 54 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 can make it an offence to immobilise a vehicle or restrict its movement on private land. Yes, even their car on your land.

Do not clamp it. Do not deliberately block it in. Do not damage it. Do not let the frustration of seeing the same vehicle on your drive, week after week, turn into an expensive lesson in criminal law.
Even writing a polite “please do not park here again” message on a wet sheet of A4 over the passenger or side window (in front of the driver is a complete no-no) may leave you subject to a criminal damage charge.

 

picture of a black bmw on a driveway infront of grey garage

Under the Criminal Damage Act 1971, damage can include temporary impairment or anything requiring time, effort or expense to clean up. If the driver cannot use the vehicle safely until they expend time and effort to remove your note, this legally meets the threshold of criminal damage. The absence of glue does not change the fact that you have actively created a cleaning burden.

What about a self-enforcement private fine scheme?

You could sign up for a digital parking enforcement service, but there are processes to follow, you will not see a penny from any fine collected, and it may still not solve the underlying problem quickly or effectively.
UK law has a massive, glaring loophole when it comes to private driveways. It treats unauthorised parking on your land as a minor civil issue but treats your retaliation as a serious criminal offence. The trespasser may be cheeky and disrespectful, but you still have to behave perfectly.

Prevention is better than retribution.

If you wait for the person to park and then look for a way to punish them, they hold the cards and the law ties your hands. The most effective way to prevent a stranger from parking on your driveway is to erect a permanent physical barrier, gate, bollard or similar measure that stops a trespasser accessing your driveway in the first place.

Sorry.

Frequently asked questions about someone parking on your driveway

Is it illegal for someone to park on my driveway without permission?

Parking on a private driveway without permission will usually be a civil trespass rather than a criminal offence.

Can I call the police if someone parks on my driveway?

The police will not usually intervene in a civil trespass. Different considerations may apply where criminal conduct or another offence is involved.

Can I block in a car parked on my driveway?

You should not deliberately prevent a vehicle from being moved. Section 54 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 may apply to restricting a vehicle’s movement.

Can I have a car towed from my private driveway?

Private landowners should not simply arrange for an unauthorised vehicle to be clamped or removed. Seek legal advice on the options available in your circumstances.

Can a solicitor stop someone repeatedly parking on my driveway?

A solicitor may send a formal letter and advise on a trespass or nuisance claim. In suitable cases, the court may grant an injunction.

Contact our property dispute solicitors

Repeated unauthorised parking can become far more than an occasional irritation, particularly when the same person continues to use your driveway after being asked to stop.

Curwens Solicitors can advise on private property disputes, trespass and the legal remedies that may be open to you. We can assess the circumstances, explain the practical options and advise whether formal correspondence or court proceedings are proportionate.

For advice, call 020 8363 4444 or complete Curwens Solicitors’ online contact form, and a member of the team can discuss your case with you. 

Please note that our briefings are for informational purposes only, and do not constitute legal advice.

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GET IN TOUCH

Any data that you submit using this web form will be held by our firm as Data Controller and will be held securely for 12 months before being securely and confidentially destroyed.
Find out more
Your data will not be disclosed to any third parties without your consent or as otherwise allowed by the relevant Data Protection legislation and will only be used for responding to your query (or purposes associated with that purpose).

You have the right to be informed about what data we hold about you along with other rights set out in the legislation. Further information about your rights under the data protection legislation can be found at www.ico.org.uk

Full details can be found here

Please let us know your name.
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