Loading rules
Loading means stopping a vehicle temporarily to drop off or pick up items that are too heavy to be transported by foot.
Loading includes:
- commercial deliveries or collections (including parcel deliveries)
- trades persons collecting or picking up tools from a work site
- loading or unloading for 20 minutes or less (unless other restrictions are stated on signs at the location).
Loading does NOT include:
- picking up or dropping off shopping, or non-commercial goods
- waiting to collect or drop off passengers.
Exceptions:
Blue Badge holders can stop to pick up or drop off passengers.
Taxis (only hackney carriages/ black cabs) can stop to pick up or drop off passengers.
Where you can load:
- loading bays: check the nearby signs for restrictions and hours of operation
- yellow lines: loading is allowed for up to 40 minutes
- single red line: loading is allowed during the times shown on signs at the location.
Before loading, check there are no other restrictions in place, it is safe to do so and you will not obstruct traffic.
You must be actively loading or unloading a vehicle. If you are not observed doing so, you may be issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
Where you can NOT load:
- Double red lines: No stopping or loading at any time.
- Red Route Loading bays: Loading is only permitted in marked bays.
Find more information on rules for loading on a red route on Transport for London's (TfL) website. - Double yellow marks on the kerb: loading or unloading is not allowed
- Single yellow marks on the kerb: loading or unloading is only allowed at the times shown on nearby signs. Find more information in The Highway code
- Bus stops and stands
- Pedestrian crossings
- Zig zag lines
- Taxi ranks
- Reserved bays for specific users (check the signs)
Further guidance on loading and unloading can be found on London Councils website.
If you need to wait or load on a single yellow line for a longer period of time, in order to carry out work in that area, you may be able to apply for a parking dispensation.
Any vehicle breaching a parking or driving rule or parked without a valid permit, may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and possibly be towed.
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