Loading and unloading

Need to load or unload a van or lorry? Knowing the rules about bays and yellow line restrictions could stop you getting a fine.

Loading bays

These bays are for goods vehicles* only, and are intended for large vehicles which may otherwise have difficulty in finding a place to load or unload.

The bays are marked on the road with a white dotted line and the words 'LOADING ONLY' next to the bay. Goods vehicle drivers can load and unload for the period shown on the nearby sign, but are not allowed to return to the bay within one hour of leaving.

For more information, please call us on 020 7371 5678 Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays).

Or you can write to us at:

LBHF Parking Services, PO box 67734, London W6 6FW

enquiries@lbhfparking.com

* Goods vehicles are vehicles classified as such by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA). The class of a vehicle is shown on the V5 registration document. Private cars, scooters, mopeds and motorcycles are not goods vehicles.

Loading and unloading in controlled parking zones

Loading and unloading is allowed for up to 20 minutes in parking bays and on yellow lines, only if it is safe to do so. Vehicles must be seen to be in continuous use for loading and unloading and must not be left unattended.

You must move your vehicle if asked to by a police officer or council parking attendant (civil enforcement officer). Short visits to shops or other businesses do not count as loading and unloading.

Loading restrictions are in place on busy roads and at junctions. You can find the hours of operation of these restrictions on white loading restriction signs at the side of the road. Double or single yellow kerb markings show that a road is subject to a loading restriction.

A removal vehicle may stop for longer than 40 minutes on a single or double yellow line next to a property where a removal is taking place, provided that:

  • loading/unloading is taking place continuously between the vehicle and the adjacent property
  • no loading restriction is in force at the time
  • the vehicle is not causing a serious obstruction
  • the vehicle is moved as soon as loading/unloading has been completed. The driver must move the vehicle if they are asked to do so by a police officer or council parking attendant (civil enforcement officer).

Packing or unpacking items inside a property does not constitute loading. The vehicle must be moved elsewhere and parked legally while these activities are taking place.

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