What do yellow zig-zag lines on the road mean and can I be fined for parking on them?

YELLOW zig-zag lines are found decorating many of our nation's roads, but what do they mean?

Here's everything you need to know about what they are, as well as the rules and penalties for stopping on them.

3

What do yellow zig-zag lines mean?

As a rule, don't park on zig-zag lines of any colour.

Both yellow and white zig-zag road markings indicate that parking is prohibited.

[Yellow zig-zags] indicate the part of the road where motorists should not wait, stop, or park a vehicle

Metropolitan Police website

While white zig-zags do not need a sign for enforcement — you cannot park on them at any time — yellow zig-zags DO require a sign to be legally enforceable.

Motorists should take note of any signage and only park on yellow zig-zags outside of the times indicated.

If a sign is not present, the zig-zags cannot be legally enforced.

It is legal to park across the road from yellow zig-zags, but this could make crossing the road more dangerous, especially for children if the markings are outside a school — this is why some schools have them on both sides of the road.

The Metropolitan Police's website explains: "Most school entrances and exits in the UK have yellow zig-zag road markings with the writing ‘School Keep Clear’.

"Zig-zags can also be found at entrances and exits of hospitals, fire stations, police stations and ambulance stations.

"They indicate the part of the road where motorists should not wait, stop, or park a vehicle. 

"Sometimes there may be an accompanying sign that shows specific times when these restrictions are in place.

"Motorists are legally allowed to park on the zigzags outside of these hours."

3

Can I be fined for parking on yellow zig-zag lines?

You can be fined for parking on yellow zig-zags which have a sign in place indicating the times it is forbidden to stop there.

Yellow zig-zags are enforced by the local council and any fine received is a civil matter — not criminal.

Civil cases are claims typically filed by an individual or private parties that can result in a settlement, paying a fine or fulfilling a contractual obligation, whereas a criminal case can result in prison time, fines, community service and other penalties.

Parking on zig-zag lines, especially white zig-zags, is typically very difficult to dispute if you receive a penalty, with few exceptions being given.

3

How much is a parking fine?

Local councils can issue motorists with penalty charge notices (PCN) for waiting, stopping, or parking on signed yellow zig-zags with restrictions in place. 

PNCs are issued by civil enforcement officers.

Most parking or waiting fines are now enforced as a civil matter, rather than a police matter.

A PCN does not result in points on a licence or a criminal record when they are handled by the council.

In some areas, the local council doesn't have civil parking enforcement powers.

These areas have police to enforce parking restrictions, or police-employed traffic wardens who are authorised to issue a fixed penalty notice (FPN). These are enforced through the criminal justice system.

Fines can vary depending on location, but stopping in a restricted area outside a school will generally result in a higher fine.

That said, police enforced fines generally fall between £50 and £100, while penalty charges issued by local authorities are usually either £50 or £70.

The amount of the fine is halved if  it is paid within 14 days, and you have a total of 28 days to pay or challenge the fine.