Can you park a caravan on the road?

Owning a touring caravan is exciting, however it's also a big commitment and one that comes with many responsibilities. Whether you're new to caravanning or have been doing so for a long time, it's good to consider the rules of the road such as understanding whether you can park a caravan on the roadside and how to do so legally.

This article will outline some of the current caravan parking rules, including where you can park, for what duration of time and how to do so safely.

Can a caravan be parked on the road?

Yes, you can park your caravan on the road legally in the UK, as there are currently no concrete laws in place regarding parking your caravan when it's not in use. The Highway Code also does not currently mention parking caravans on residential roads. So, doing so is generally considered okay.

However, there are some things to you need to consider when parking your caravan on the road with regards to national regulations and local council rules which could land you with a hefty fine if not followed.  

What do I need to consider before parking my caravan on the road?

Before you park your caravan on the road here is a list of things to consider:

Parking location

Parking outside your property

Whether or not you can legally park your caravan outside your property often depends on the deeds of the property. There will normally be a clause in the deeds which states whether caravans can or cannot be kept on the property.

You can usually get hold of property deeds online via the Land Registry. Caravan parking rules are also sometimes set by local authorities, so read up on the rules specific to wherever you live to ensure that you don’t get caught out.

Parking on a public road

If you are looking to park your caravan on a public road then there are some specific requirements that must be followed. These include:

• Ensuring your caravan is under proper lighting and can be seen
• Allowing for your caravan to be parked in a safe position
• Ensuring your caravan does not block any access and is visible for other road users

Caravan insurance

When planning to park your caravan on the street you may also want to check your caravan insurance to see whether your cover extends to this. Without checking you may find that you are not covered should something go wrong, such as your caravan being damaged or stolen.

Parking safety

As mentioned, while parking on the road there are a few requirements that must be followed. To ensure that you are parking responsibly you will also want to make sure you are parking safely.

For example you will want to park your caravan’s nearside (i.e. the left-hand side) facing the pavement. This is so the rear lights are facing oncoming traffic to make other road users aware that the caravan is parked.

How long can a caravan be parked on a public road?

There is no one size fits all rule for how long a caravan can be parked on the road, however there are three main guidelines to follow:

Short-term parking: if you are wanting to park to load or unload your caravan then most councils will permit short-term parking for around an hour on the road. In most circumstances you can park on the road for a few days without a permit, but it is best to check with your local council for the full duration permitted.

Medium-term parking: parking for more than a few days may be subject to more regulations, such as gaining a permit which will allow you to park for a longer period.

Long-term parking: parking your caravan long term on a public or residential road is not usual suggested due to local regulations and your caravan’s safety. Storage facilities can provide a safer space for your caravan to be stored and many are part of the CaSSOA (Caravan Storage Site Owner's Association) which ensure there is high level security.

Specialist touring caravan insurance through Ripe

If you own a caravan which you keep outside your home when not in use, you may also want to consider protecting it against things like theft and damage with specialist touring caravan insurance. Learn more about how Ripe can help and get a quote today.