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School-run parking row - what to do if someone blocks your drive near a school

Under Rule 243 of the Highway Code, drivers must not park in front of property entrances, a regulation frequently tested during school runs where parking across dropped kerbs can result in a Penalty Charge Notice.
Mumsnet users describe intense conflicts over school gate parking, with parents ignoring available side-road spaces to drop children closer to gates. One poster wrote: "They are barely looking as they drive like lunatics."
George Penny, an expert from The Solar, notes that authorities issue PCNs for obstructions, with penalties ranging from £50 to £130 depending on location. Private driveway trespassing involves different legal rules than public road blocking.
Homeowners facing persistent driveway blocking should document incidents with photographs and contact their local authority for advice. Penny warns residents against moving or damaging obstructing vehicles themselves, as they could face liability.
The parking disputes have become so stressful that some parents are considering moving their children to different schools. One parent stated: "I don't even want to take them to school now because of lack of parking and the dirty stares and arguments being caused by this.

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