Can my car be too big for UK roads and can I be fined?

YEAR after year the average size of vehicles travelling on UK roads is increasing.

This is causing concern among some motorists about whether their cars are too big — here’s everything you need to know.

The average width of new cars sold in the UK increased to 180.3cm in the first half of 2023.

This is up from 177.8cm just two years earlier in 2021.

Take the Volkswagen Polo for example.

In the 1970s, the original Volkswagen Derby model measured 3.91 metres long and 1.56 metres wide; today, those measurements have jumped to 4.074 metres and 1.751 metres respectively.

The growing size of vehicles is creating several challenges for road users.

But is there an upper limit for vehicle size in Britain and can you be fined?

Parking

In the UK, the standard size for a parking space is 2.4 meters wide and 4.8 meters long.

However, many on-street parking spaces in UK cities are only 1.8 meters wide.

With the average new car now exceeding this width, more than half of new cars sold in 2023 were already too wide for these standard parking bays to accommodate.

This can make legally parking large vehicles, especially SUVs and luxury cars, increasingly difficult.

Whilst a minimum parking width of 1.8 m is specified, the British Parking Association (BPA) state that there is no longer a maximum width, nor a minimum or maximum length required with on-street parking.

In cases where larger vehicles, for example 4×4 cars, cannot fit fully within the markings, the BPA recommends that “traffic authorities use discretion over enforcement”.

However, this contradicts the law which states, that drivers must park their car entirely within the white line markings. 

If you don’t, you run the risk of receiving a fine. 

With cars getting wider and taking up more space on the road, campaigners are calling on lawmakers to review the parking width limit.

Roads

Wider vehicles are reducing the available road space for other users.

This not only creates issues for oncoming traffic, but also cyclists and pedestrians.

This is particularly problematic on narrow city streets and single-lane rural roads.

Potential fines

There isn’t a specific fine for driving a car that is ‘too big’ for UK roads.

That said, you could face penalties related to how you park or drive a larger vehicle.

The Law states

If your vehicle doesn’t fit within the designated parking bay lines, you may receive a parking ticket.

If a motor is parked over a space it can prevent another driver from using it.

The vehicle (including all four wheels) should be within the marked bay to avoid being issued a fine.

This is especially likely in cities where parking enforcement is strict.

Obstruction

If your vehicle blocks the road or pavement due to its size, you could be fined for causing an obstruction.

Limits have also been put in place by some councils in regard to the permitted size of vehicles allowed on certain roads.

Restriction zones that measure six-foot and six-inches (1.981m) are quite common around the country and are often marked out using road barriers only wide enough for small vehicles.

A fixed penalty notice (FPN) or penalty charge notice (PCN) can be issued for dimension violations and parking offences.

FPNs will be £50, £100, £200 or £300 depending on the severity of the transgression.

There are two levels of fines for PNCs, either £80 or £130 — most are issued at the higher rate.

Is your car too big?

To assess whether your car might be too large for typical UK roads and parking spaces you can:

• Check your vehicle’s dimensions, which can usually be found in the owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website
• Compare your car’s width to the standard 180cm parking bay width — if it’s wider, you may face challenges in urban parking situations
• Consider your car’s length as well — the standard UK parking bay is 4.8m long, so vehicles exceeding this length may also struggle in many parking locations

Going forward

As the issue of “autobesity” grows, there are calls for regulatory action.

Some campaigners are advocating for a mandated maximum passenger car width of 192.1cm to be introduced by 2030.

Cities may follow Paris‘ lead in implementing higher parking fees for larger vehicles in urban areas.

Car manufacturers may need to reconsider vehicle designs to better suit UK infrastructure.

While you’re unlikely to be fined simply for owning a large vehicle, the practical challenges and potential for incurring parking fines or causing obstructions are increasing.

As a driver it’s important to be aware of your vehicle’s dimensions and how they relate to the roads and parking spaces you frequently use.

If you’re in the market for a new car, considering these factors could save you future headaches and potential fines.