Are you allowed to sleep in your car in the UK? Whether you’re tired on the motorway or don’t want to pay for a hotel, there are plenty of reasons to sleep in your car. And that’s not even touching on the UK’s rising housing costs. So let’s say you’ve pulled over for the night and want some shut-eye. Is that legal, or will you be in for a rude awakening?

Like most legal dilemmas, the answer depends. Luckily, in the UK, there are only two stipulations to sleeping in your car: you must be parked legally, and you can’t be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In fact, the Highway Code actually recommends a break after every two hours of driving. So take that nap — but make sure you know the rules first.

Where can I park legally to sleep in my car?

Let’s cover the first point: where is it legal in the UK to park your car and have a nap? First are the obvious parking rules. Under the 1980 Highway Act, if you want to park near a public road, you can’t block traffic. Plus, you can’t block any road accesses, driveways or views. If you do park near a road, it’s best to move on as soon as possible.

Private land is a different situation; generally, you need permission from the land owner to park and sleep there. But there are exceptions. Some car parks will tolerate overnight camping, particularly if you’re there when nobody is using it. On the flip side, other car parks will have large “no overnight parking” signs. No prizes for guessing the meaning there. Typically, the lots with these signs are owned by businesses that rely on the space. You could try asking the owner, but you must respect their answer.

Can I sleep in residential areas?

Technically, you can park your car and sleep in residential areas — as long as you obey any parking signs. Unfortunately, parking in a residential area for a long time is likely to bring unwanted attention. If you’re looking for a night of uninterrupted sleep, best look elsewhere.

Motorway service stations are another popular rest stop. But be warned: most have a two-hour parking limit, so don’t expect a long stay.

Basically, if you think you’d get a parking ticket, don’t park and sleep there. Of course, even if you’re parked legally, you can’t litter or commit any antisocial activities or crimes; you’ll be asked to move your car, and you could face a charge. Be respectful when sleeping in your car, and you’re unlikely to encounter issues.

When is it illegal for me to sleep in my car?

Again, just because you’re parked legally, there are still circumstances that’ll make your stay illegal. One of those is being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It may seem counterintuitive — surely sleeping in your car is better than driving under the influence? Perhaps, but it’s still illegal.

Under the 1988 Road Traffic Act, if you’re found under the influence and asleep in your vehicle, you could be charged with being “drunk in charge of a motor vehicle.” Critically, this isn’t the same as drunk driving; for being found drunk in your car, you’d face a fine and 10 penalty points, while drunk driving carries harsher penalties.

Even so, you should never sleep in your car if you’ve consumed alcohol or drugs. It doesn’t matter if you’re sleeping in the backseat, and it doesn’t matter if the keys are nowhere near the ignition — you could still be charged.

Wild camping in the UK

You may find yourself in a remote, off-road area with little traffic and little chance you’ll be disturbed — the perfect spot to park your car and sleep. But most land in England, Northern Ireland and Wales is private, meaning you’ll need the landowner’s permission to stay there — especially if you intend to stay more than one night.

But in Scotland, the laws are a little different. As long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, you can park your vehicle and sleep in the wild — it’s called wild camping. The rules are simple: you can camp in Scotland’s wilderness as long as you only stay a couple of nights, have a small group of people, and don’t leave any traces.

Unfortunately, as established, wild camping generally isn’t permitted in the rest of the UK. One notable exception, though, is Dartmoor in southwest England. That said, you can’t stay overnight at Dartmoor with your vehicle, so it doesn’t help in this case.

Conclusion

If you’re in the UK and want to sleep in your car, there are two cardinal rules: park legally and don’t be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. As long as you follow these rules, sleeping in your car is perfectly legal — take that break if you need it.

But finding a legal spot to park isn’t always easy. You can’t block driveways, road accesses, or someone’s view of their property. And that last point can be contentious. You can, however, park and sleep in most residential areas, provided you follow any posted parking restrictions. But This option isn’t recommended — while perfectly legal, nearby residents may be wary of you sleeping in your car.

Parking on private property and in car parks is also challenging; you’ll need permission from the owner, and they may be hesitant to let you stay overnight.

Critically, you can’t be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while sleeping in your car. Even if you have no intention of driving and you’re sleeping in the backseat, you can still face a charge of being drunk while in charge of a motor vehicle.

In most cases, common sense will prevail — if you want to sleep in your car, don’t park illegally, and don’t drink or take drugs. We hope this informed you on if you can sleep in your car in the UK.

If you have any important legal questions, reach out to a British solicitor.