Is it illegal to sleep in your car
Discussion
There can be local by-laws prohibiting it. There is where I live on the coast. It can also be an offence to sleep in a vehicle in a layby. There is often a distinction between having a kip and overnighting.
Most of the laws are aimed at carvan/caravanettes but the legislation is not often too specific.
Most of the laws are aimed at carvan/caravanettes but the legislation is not often too specific.
Derek Smith said:
There can be local by-laws prohibiting it. There is where I live on the coast. It can also be an offence to sleep in a vehicle in a layby. There is often a distinction between having a kip and overnighting.
Most of the laws are aimed at carvan/caravanettes but the legislation is not often too specific.
I had a feeling there might be something aimed at stopping travelers etc.Most of the laws are aimed at carvan/caravanettes but the legislation is not often too specific.
SlowMo said:
I've been considering a drive around England (maybe Europe) and have a car big enough to sleep in the back (Estate) with some fabric covering all windows etc.
Just wondered if it was illegal in the UK because all I can find is laws in America and it's illegal over there.
Well you're fine in Europe. I've slept in the car in France, Germany and Belgium on several occasions on Euro runs. Then again those countries are somewhat more enlightened than the UK and have decent rest areas where you're not charged an extortionate fee for "long term" parking.Just wondered if it was illegal in the UK because all I can find is laws in America and it's illegal over there.
In 1976 I was early arriving at Belfast Airport and before returning my hire car I decided to drive a couple of miles into the country and have a couple of hours kip. I found a quiet lane, parked up and was awoken by two guys with guns banging on the roof. I've never been so scared in my life. It was a Para S'g't and an Ulster Constable checking on who I was. It was at the height of 'The Troubles'.
SlowMo said:
I've been considering a drive around England (maybe Europe) and have a car big enough to sleep in the back (Estate) with some fabric covering all windows etc.
Just wondered if it was illegal in the UK because all I can find is laws in America and it's illegal over there.
I used to own and travel in a motorhome around the UK and Europe.Just wondered if it was illegal in the UK because all I can find is laws in America and it's illegal over there.
Its not illegal per se, it depends where you are.
I think your primary concern would be security.
I have used farmers fields (cost a couple of quid), motorway service stations (can be expensive) and camp sites which you may find is good as you can have a shower etc...
Also you will find lorry parks as you drive around - that can also be a good place to stop as they provide some cover and company if things go bad.
i've done it several times in a landy over the past few years. most that ever happened was local plod appeared to say 'ello ello' while i was on the welsh coast. asked him if there was a problem, chatted for a bit & it was fine.
turns out he only appeared as locals (about a mile away) had seen the car & called it in due to problems with boy racers recently.
turns out he only appeared as locals (about a mile away) had seen the car & called it in due to problems with boy racers recently.
Hooli said:
i've done it several times in a landy over the past few years. most that ever happened was local plod appeared to say 'ello ello' while i was on the welsh coast. asked him if there was a problem, chatted for a bit & it was fine.
turns out he only appeared as locals (about a mile away) had seen the car & called it in due to problems with boy racers recently.
Boy racers (or should that be boyo racers?) in a Lland Rover? Only in Wales.turns out he only appeared as locals (about a mile away) had seen the car & called it in due to problems with boy racers recently.
driven from bedfordshire to loch ness, got to the area around fort william and realised that the scottish maps are smaller scale than the english maps, had a choice of driving into some bog from being too tired or to drive off the road onto some path.
covered the windows with jacket, sleep mats etc and snuggled down in a sleeping bag in the driver's seat. central locking doors seemed ok, ear plugs and eye screen
woke up 6:30 or was it 5:50 ? as it hardly get dark up there in the summer
no shower or sit down toilet, but only needed a no1 in any case. nice clear roads
as has been mentioned, no drugs or drink. if plod asks u to move the car along and realise ur too wasted... not good
covered the windows with jacket, sleep mats etc and snuggled down in a sleeping bag in the driver's seat. central locking doors seemed ok, ear plugs and eye screen
woke up 6:30 or was it 5:50 ? as it hardly get dark up there in the summer
no shower or sit down toilet, but only needed a no1 in any case. nice clear roads
as has been mentioned, no drugs or drink. if plod asks u to move the car along and realise ur too wasted... not good
Derek Smith said:
Hooli said:
i've done it several times in a landy over the past few years. most that ever happened was local plod appeared to say 'ello ello' while i was on the welsh coast. asked him if there was a problem, chatted for a bit & it was fine.
turns out he only appeared as locals (about a mile away) had seen the car & called it in due to problems with boy racers recently.
Boy racers (or should that be boyo racers?) in a Lland Rover? Only in Wales.turns out he only appeared as locals (about a mile away) had seen the car & called it in due to problems with boy racers recently.
it was the one with '4x4' in foot high letters that i couldnt help but laugh at 
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