'My entitled neighbour lets guest block my driveway - I'm taking drastic action'

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Neighbourly disputes over parking are a familiar source of tension, more so in locations where roadside parking is the sole option and finding a space becomes a daily struggle. Residents can be especially vexed when unfamiliar vehicles monopolise their usual spots.

Despite there being no legal entitlement to park directly outside one’s home on a public road, frustration is an undeniable consequence. Some might dream of a driveway as a simple solution to these woes, yet even this can't guarantee peace with the neighbours.

Illustrating this point, one man's tale about driveway dilemmas has come to light after he shared his experience online. His neighbours' persistent guests have become an obstacle, quite literally, as they frequently block his driveway access with their cars – notably a late-model BMW.

Exasperated by his blocked entrance which hampers him from freely coming and going, the man confessed that complaining to the police about the obtrusive visitor had not aided his cause. He expressed his annoyance, stating on Reddit: "My neighbours frequently have guests over, and one guest in particular driving a late model BMW feels he is entitled to park and block my driveway.

"The first time [it happened], I went over there and asked them to move; they said they would move it but didn't. The 2nd time, I again went over and asked them to move it, and they agreed, but nothing. So I think it's time to take matters into my own hands. I've called the police; they will do absolutely nothing."

In the UK, parking across a driveway is only an offence if there is a dropped kerb. Even if a vehicle only partially covers a dropped kerb, the owner will be committing a driving offence and could be liable to receive a penalty of up to three points and a fine of up to £100.

However, parking close to a dropped kerb is not illegal, even if this restricts access to a driveway. According to Confused.com, police are unlikely to get involved in cases where the parking over the dropped kerb stops you from moving your vehicle into your driveway, but if the parking issue stops you from leaving they may treat it as an anti-social behaviour offence.

Anti-social behaviour is defined by the Crime and Disorder Act (1998) as: "Acting in a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as the defendant."

In a flurry of responses to the driveway debacle, commenters unleashed a slew of cunning strategies for the man to extricate himself without inflicting harm on his neighbour's vehicle or property.

One witty soul advised: "Park the Jeep behind the BMW and then have a bunch of beers. When they tell you to move the Jeep, tell them you can't drive and are the only one insured. Come back in the morning."

Meanwhile, US commenters were staunchly in favour of taking a hardline approach, suggesting he call a private towing firm to whisk the obstructive car away. Across the pond in the US, blocking someone’s driveway is illegal, but it is often treated as a civil issue for parking enforcement.

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