Waiting restrictions - double yellow lines
No waiting at any time
Double yellow lines along the edge of the road mean you must not wait or park there at any time. They do not need an upright sign. Since 2016 new seasonal restrictions use a single yellow line instead, but some older double yellow lines still have a sign showing that they apply only at certain times of year.
The restriction covers the road, the pavement and the verge beside the lines, so parking with your wheels on the pavement next to double yellow lines is still parking on them.
When you can stop
- To load or unload, unless there is also a loading ban. A loading ban is shown by short yellow marks on the kerb: two marks mean no loading at any time, and one mark means no loading at the times on a nearby sign. The loading has to be what you are actually doing: civil enforcement officers usually watch a vehicle for a few minutes for signs of loading before issuing a penalty.
- To let passengers get in or out.
- With a Blue Badge, for up to 3 hours, displaying the badge and the blue parking clock set to the quarter hour when you arrived. This does not apply where there is a loading ban, on yellow lines in car parks, or where parking would cause an obstruction or danger. You must wait at least an hour before parking in the same road again that day. Parts of central London have their own rules: the City of Westminster, the City of London, Kensington and Chelsea and part of Camden. See Blue Badge parking for all the rules.
What happens if you park on them
Parking on double yellow lines is a higher level contravention (code 01, or code 02 where loading is also banned), so it carries the higher penalty. See PCN fine amounts.
The 10-minute grace period in England does not apply to yellow lines: it only covers overstaying your time in a parking place.
To challenge a penalty, see how to fight a yellow line or loading penalty.
This page was checked against the law in England and Wales on 22 October 2026. It is general guidance, not legal advice: see the legal disclaimer.