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Loading and unloading

Loading and unloading is allowed in some places where parking is not normally permitted.

The loading or unloading activity must be continuous and you must move your vehicle as soon as you have finished. A penalty charge notice may be issued if no loading or unloading has taken place for five minutes (10 minutes for liveried commercial vehicles).

Where is loading and unloading permitted?

Loading and unloading is permitted:

  • for up to 20 minutes in any permit holder, shared use or pay and display bay without having to display a permit or buy a pay and display ticket.
  • on yellow lines, as long as you don’t cause an obstruction and there is no loading restriction in place (shown by vertical yellow markings along the kerb).
  • in designated loading bays throughout the controlled parking areas (some loading bays have a time limit).
  • please see The Highway Code website for more information about signs.

Where is loading and unloading not permitted?

Loading and unloading is not permitted:

  • on zigzags at pedestrian crossings and outside schools.
  • where signs say ‘no stopping’ or ‘no waiting’ like bus stops and taxi ranks.
  • on yellow lines where there is a loading restriction (shown by vertical yellow markings along the kerb).
  • in disabled bays (unless you are a blue badge holder).
  • in bus lanes.
  • please see The Highway Code website for more information about road markings.

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