One of the main benefits of owning a motorhome is the freedom you gain. 

Travel from city to town to campsite in your private, wheeled accommodation. When you’re ready to rest your head after a long day of adventuring, your bed is only a stone’s throw away. 

Does this mean you can sleep anywhere in a motorhome? Not necessarily, but don’t worry: we’re here to give you the lowdown on motorhome parking laws. 

We’ll answer your burning questions, like ‘how long can a motorhome be parked on the street?’ and ‘can you park a motorhome outside your house?’ For all this and more, stay with Melling Motorhomes. 

Can I keep my motorhome on the road? 

Whether you can keep your motorhome on the road is a rather grey area. 

Whilst your motorhome may belong to you, the roads belong to the local authority of the town or city you’ve entered. Whether in Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, London or Yorkshire, each place will have its own rules.

Are there motorhome parking laws?

To make matters more stressful, no specific legislation that will prevent you from parking your motorhome on the road. 

If it’s late, you’re tired, and there is no way you can get to the nearest parking space driving safely at the wheel, you may be forgiven for parking your motorhome on a public road. However, you could receive a Penalty Charge Notice (or a PCN). 

These fines go to drivers who park their vehicles in a place where commercial vehicles over a certain weight are permitted from parking. You are also at risk of a PCN if your motorhome is visibly blocking other cars for a prolonged period. 

These violations are called Traffic Regulation Orders. If the Traffic Penalty Tribunal finds you have breached a TRO, you will receive a PCN: it’s that simple!

TROs (Traffic Regulation Orders)

Traffic Regulation Orders are bylaws set out by the local authority that describe the nature of traffic restrictions. TROs vary depending on your location and concern rules about bus lanes, littering, parking your vehicle on roads and more. 

If you’re planning an ad-hoc motorhome trip where you do not have pre-paid accommodation for your vehicle, remember to check the TROs of the local authority. Visit the TRO Library for a comprehensive breakdown of each region’s rules, and you could save yourself a lot of hassle! 

But what if you find an area of pavement to park that does not obstruct other drivers? Can you sleep in a motorhome parked on the street? 

The answer depends on the local authorities. You could park for several hours, days or weeks before receiving a PCN. However, this doesn’t mean you should! During this time, you can browse local camping sites and move your vehicle to a more motorhome-friendly area. 

Can you sleep in a motorhome parked on the street?

Technically, you cannot sleep in a motorhome parked on the street: many of the TROs issued by local authorities prohibit activities such as sleeping on public roads or in vehicles parked in public areas. 

Yet, we can understand that this is a puzzling matter for drivers. According to the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 and the Highway Act 1980, sleeping on roads is not explicitly forbidden. 

Despite a lack of clarity in legislation, Melling Motorhomes believes that preparedness is key for your trip. Find somewhere safe for you, your friends and your family to get a good night’s rest before embarking on the journey. We’ve suggested some locations to get you started: 

Motorway Service Stops

Service stations are a saving grace for long car journeys, but they also double as secure sleeping areas for motorhomes and caravans! Surrounded by park benches and 24/7 access to food, service stops are an excellent alternative to parking your motorhome on the street. 

Service stops typically charge between £10-20 for a night’s stay; however, this can vary depending on where you are. Do you only need to park for 2 or 3 hours? Likely, you won’t have to pay at all! Stay close to restrooms, restaurants and out of harm’s way by locating motorway service stops along your trip. 

Storage Facilities for Motorhomes

If you’re planning to stay in a location for longer than a couple of days, perhaps consider putting your motorhome in a secure storage facility. 

CaSSOA, also known as The Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association, has over 450 storage sites across the UK. Give yourself extra peace of mind by booking a hotel and leaving your motorhome in storage for a few nights.

Can you park a motorhome outside your home? 

As we discussed earlier, parking your motorhome on public pavement puts you at risk of violating a TRO. You’ll then receive a Penalty Charge Notice courtesy of the local authority. But what if the pavement you want to park on is outside your home?

Luckily, there are no rules against parking your motorhome on the pavement of your house! However, you must remember that motorhomes have a larger width than standard cars or vans. That’s why you should carefully consider the following points: 

Consider the size! 

Before you go off and buy your dream motorhome, grab your measuring tape. Start noting numbers, like the width of the path leading up to your driveway. Do you have anything in your front garden that would obstruct your motorhome, like ornaments or plants? 

Perhaps overhanging trees in your garden may damage the top of your vehicle each time you take it out. 

These are all things to consider when deciding on the model for you. If you don’t properly prepare, you may have no legal space to park your vehicle and could fork out a large sum of money to keep your motorhome safe in a storage facility. 

Consider your neighbours! 

Keep friendly relations with your neighbours and inform them that you intend to purchase a motorhome. Prepare them for changes in the following weeks with a courteous heads-up.

Plus, an initial discussion may make them more comfortable broaching potential issues. For example, if your motorhome is so imposing that it blocks your neighbour’s windows or restricts their access to natural light, you can solve the problem collaboratively.