Countdown to pavement parking ban in Fife

Fife Council is reminding drivers in Fife that from Monday 1 September 2025, parking on pavements, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs are banned.

Fife Council is set to start enforcing the national pavement parking ban.

Cllr Altany Craik, Fife Council Spokesperson - Finance, Economy & Strategic Planning, said: “The law aims to improve the safety of pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues or visual impairments, and parents or carers with pushchairs. Parking attendants have been issuing warning notices for pavement parking, double parking and parking over kerbs dropped for pedestrians to cross since 1 July, to give drivers time to adjust to the new legislation.

“We all have a part to play in keeping our communities safe and welcoming. I encourage drivers across Fife to support this important step in making our footways safer for everyone.”

The New Rules

From Monday 1 September, drivers should not:

Park on a Pavement – one wheel or more on the pavement could result in a £100 penalty charge.

Double Park – parking on the road adjacent to another vehicle could also result in a £100 penalty charge.

Park at a Dropped Kerb – the £100 penalty charge also applies to parking at dropped kerbs that provide crossing points for pedestrians and these must be kept clear.

Cllr Craik added: “There are some streets where an exemption to the pavement parking ban may be introduced. Pavement parking penalties will not be issued on streets that have already been assessed for exemption. A list of potentially exempted streets can be viewed on the Fife Council website. Drivers parking on the footways in any of the streets listed must still leave 1.5 metres of the pavement clear for pedestrians.

“On streets that are not listed as potential exemptions, drivers should not park on the pavement.  Across Fife, the default rule is do not park on pavements.”

Find out more and visit our FAQs about the pavement parking ban at www.fife.gov.uk/pavementparking

List of potential exempted streets: Potential exempted streets | Fife Council

From 1 September 2025 Fife Council has the power to enforce the law and fines of £100 can be issued to drivers parking on pavements, which will be discounted to £50 if paid within 14 days.

NOTE:

• The ban comes after Scottish Government legislation was introduced to ban pavement parking across Scotland, with councils to implement the new rules.

• Fife Council officers assessed 12,500 streets across the region and have drawn up a list of possible exemptions. Streets identified as potential exemptions to the ban will now be progressed and finalised at area committees. Any approved exemptions will follow a legal process, with appropriate road markings and signs installed, as required by law. Any member of the public seeking more information about exemptions should visit our FAQs www.fife.gov.uk/pavementparking