Parents face fines for breaking school gates restrictions during drop-off and pick-up times, as councils crack down on school run parking violations
With schools returning from summer, drivers are being warned (stock image) (Image: Getty)
As children head back to school this September, parents are being cautioned about the potential financial pitfalls of the school run. Motorists are being reminded that restrictions around school gates are being implemented more rigorously across numerous areas, with those entering restricted ‘school streets’ in certain parts of the country facing penalties of up to £130.
The alert comes as local councils seek to address congestion and enhance safety outside schools during peak drop-off and collection periods. For instance, in March 2026, Leeds rolled out Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera enforcement at two school streets.
Meanwhile, North Lincolnshire announced in July that parents who stop on double yellow lines and exit their vehicle to accompany a child to the gate will now incur fines, reports Chronicle Live. Jonathan Such, a motoring specialist at vehicle finance provider First Response Finance, has outlined seven frequent school run errors drivers ought to avoid as term-time traffic resumes:
- stopping on yellow zig-zag lines “just for a minute”
- driving into restricted School Streets
- parking in ways that block visibility near school gates
- leaving engines idling while waiting
- other common mistakes that could result in fines or create safety risks
Jonathan said: “According to the Department for Transport, 43% of trips to and from school for children aged five to ten in England were made by car in 2024, along with 30% of trips for children aged 11 to 16, meaning the changes could affect a significant number of families unaware of the new rules as children return to school.”
He added: “The school run is stressful for a lot of families, especially at the start of term when routines are changing again. But being in a rush will not usually protect you if you stop somewhere you should not, block visibility, or drive into a restricted street.
“A lot of the rules outside schools are designed to keep children visible and give families a safer space to cross. Even a short stop can create a blind spot, so drivers should treat school entrances as places to keep clear, not places to squeeze into for convenience.”
Stopping on yellow zig-zag lines ‘just for a minute’
Dropping children off on zigzag lines is highly dangerous and illegal because it blocks critical lines of sight, leaving drivers unable to see children crossing and children unable to see oncoming traffic.
Jonathan said: “Yellow zig-zag markings outside schools are one of the rules parents most often underestimate. If there is an upright sign showing that stopping is prohibited at certain times, you must not stop there to pick up or drop off children, even briefly.
“The key point is that this is not the same as ordinary parking. The restriction can include stopping to let someone out, because the space needs to stay clear for visibility. If you are tempted to stop because the gate is only a few steps away, it is better to park legally further along and walk back.”
Dismissing double yellow lines as permitting a quick school drop-off
Jonathan said: “Drivers may assume they can stop on double yellow lines for a few minutes, particularly if they are only walking a child as far as the gate. However, the exact position will depend on the restriction, the circumstances, and any additional controls in place.
“North Lincolnshire Council, for example, clarified ahead of the new school term that parents and carers who stop on double yellow lines and leave their vehicle to accompany a child into school will now be fined. This shows why drivers should not rely on what may previously have been tolerated. They should check the local rules and nearby signs, and avoid leaving their vehicle on waiting restrictions.”
Turning a blind eye to school street-style restrictions near the gates
Jonathan said: “School Streets are roads outside or near schools where motor traffic may be temporarily restricted at drop-off and pick-up times. They are usually used to reduce congestion and make the area safer for children walking, cycling or crossing nearby.
“The rules will normally be shown on signs near the road entrance, but they can be easy to miss if you are rushing or following the same route you used last term. If your vehicle is not exempt, driving into the road during restricted times can still lead to a penalty.
Zig zag lines must be kept clear at all times (stock image) (Image: Getty)
“The common mistake is thinking you are fine because you are not parking. A School Street restriction may prohibit an unauthorised vehicle from entering the road at all during the signed hours, although exemptions can apply and will vary by scheme.
“Some councils are also moving towards camera-based enforcement. Leeds City Council introduced ANPR cameras at two existing School Streets in March 2026, with monitored footage used to verify potential appeals.”
Leaving the engine running while you wait
Jonathan said: “Idling outside school is another easily made habit that can catch drivers out. If you are parked and waiting, switch the engine off rather than leaving it running while you check messages, wait for the bell or keep the car warm. Aside from the possible penalty, idling adds to pollution right where children are walking in and out of school. If you know you are likely to be waiting, arrive later, park away from the gate, or turn the engine off as soon as you stop.”
Blocking driveways, pavements or visibility lines
Jonathan said: “A space is not automatically safe or legal just because you can physically fit the car there. Parking too close to a junction, stopping opposite school zig-zags, mounting the kerb or blocking a resident’s driveway can all create problems, particularly when children are crossing between parked cars.
“A good rule is to ask whether a child, parent with a buggy, wheelchair user or cyclist could still move safely around your car. If the answer is no, choose another spot. Being close to the gate is not worth creating a hazard.”
Forgetting that young drivers have the same school run responsibilities
Jonathan said: “Older pupils driving to sixth form or college still need to follow the same rules as parents. Newly qualified drivers should check zig-zags, permit signs, dropped kerbs and bus stops before stopping near the gates. If learners are being picked up for lessons after school, parents and instructors should also agree a legal meeting point away from the entrance, rather than blocking the busiest part of the road.”
Overlooking what fellow parents are doing
“Copying the cars around you is one of the quickest ways to get caught out. If other parents are making the same common mistake by stopping on markings or waiting on corners, it does not mean it is allowed. Check the signs yourself and choose a safe place to park and walk. A few extra minutes is better than risking a fine or blocking a child’s view of the road.”
Jonathan adds: “No one wants the school run to take longer than it needs to, but these rules are there for a reason. A few extra minutes of walking is better than risking a fine, blocking visibility, or making the road outside school more dangerous for children.”