You May be thinking Is it legal to sleep in your car
The regulations for sleeping in cars vary depending on the location. While some areas may allow sleeping in cars as long as it is not for an extended period of time, camping in designated areas often requires permits and adherence to specific rules and regulations. It is important to research and comply with the specific laws and regulations of the area you are in.
Yes, it’s perfectly legal to sleep in your car, as long as you stick to a couple of rules:
- You must park safely and without violating any parking restrictions.
- You mustn’t be above the drink-drive limit or under the influence of drugs.
It’s dangerous to drive tired, and sometimes it’s necessary to sleep in your car. Drivers falling asleep at the wheel cause up to a fifth of motorway accidents, which are 50% more likely to result in death or serious injury.
If you start feeling sleepy while you’re driving, you need to find a safe place to pull over and take a break. Whether that means taking a nap or even settling down for a good, long sleep, you should listen to your body.
It’s where you stop that’s key. Make sure to park legally, in a safe location, and without violating any parking restrictions.
Where can I sleep in my car?
Motorway service stations
Never try to stop for a break on the hard shoulder of a motorway. They’re there for emergency use only in case there’s an accident or a breakdown. Instead, pull into the nearest service station or rest area.
Be aware that service stations often limit how long you can stay—typically two to three hours. Some service stations use number plate recognition software to keep track of who’s coming and going, so it’s a good idea to set an alarm so you don’t oversleep. One bonus of using service stations for naps is that you can treat yourself to a strong cup of coffee and an energy-boosting snack before you start driving again.
Car parks
You can stop for a nap in a car park as long as overnight parking is allowed, but check: you’re not going to be charged an exorbitant hourly fee for taking forty winks. Additionally, be vigilant for any signs indicating the car park’s closure during specific hours to avoid being locked in.
Residential areas
You can legally park in residential areas and get some shut-eye, but be aware that you may attract unwanted attention from concerned neighbours. And you’ll obviously want to avoid any double yellow lines. Take care not to obstruct any pavements or block access to people’s driveways, and don’t park in passing areas.
Public areas
Many local authorities have restrictions on camping and overnight parking in town centres or at local beauty spots. Keep an eye out for signs, as you could face a fine that’s much higher than a hotel room if you break the rules. Generally speaking, though, if there’s no sign, you should be fine.
Private property
Avoid parking up to sleep on private property unless you have permission from the landowner first. No one likes waking up to the police knocking on your window to charge you with trespassing.
What Is it legal to sleep in your car or motorhome?
It’s fine to sleep in your motorhome if you’re careful where you park. Likewise, there’s nothing to stop you from sleeping in your car if you’re travelling around on a shoestring budget and you don’t want to fork out for a hotel.
In general, if you’re respectful and discreet and don’t flaunt any obvious no camping or no overnight stay signs, you’re unlikely to encounter any problems. Arrive late, leave early, don’t leave any litter, and you should be fine.
If you want to park on private property, ask for the landowner’s permission in a friendly, courteous way. Don’t be offended if they say no; they’ve got the right to do so.
Don’t sleep in your car if you’re drunk.
Whatever you do, don’t sleep in your car if you’re over the legal driving limit for alcohol. If you have too much alcohol on a night out and end up over the limit, it may seem like a good idea to sleep it off in your car. However, if the police find you, they can charge you with drunk in charge of a motor vehicle in a public place, even if you’re not driving.
Our recent survey found that 17.8% of drivers think sleeping in their car while intoxicated won’t result in a fine, and nearly one in ten (9.7%) of them also think it won’t result in penalty points. Unfortunately, they’re wrong.
A prosecution could result in three to nine points on your license, a discretionary disqualification from driving, an unlimited fine, and up to three months in prison. Even with the keys securely in your pocket, you could still face charges. Don’t risk it. Get a lift or a taxi home and come back for your car the next day when you’re completely sober.
Be aware that this rule also applies if you’re sleeping in your motorhome and end up over the limit. It shouldn’t be a problem if you’re parked in a private campsite, but if you’re hoping to spend the night in a pub car park after a boozy evening, you’re at risk of being charged.
How can I avoid driving tired?
It’s true what the signs say—tireness can kill. Follow these tips to stay safe and aware when driving:
- Get a good night’s sleep before a long drive.
- Don’t drive if you feel too tired; it’s better to cancel an appointment than to put yourself and others at risk.
- Take breaks. The Highway Code recommends taking a break of at least 15 minutes after two hours of driving.
- If you do feel sleepy when driving, find somewhere safe to stop, take a 15-minute power nap, have a strong cup of coffee, and make sure you feel awake before you head off again.
- Avoid driving immediately after a big meal; the processes involved in digesting your food can make you sleepy.
- Be mindful of any medication that can cause drowsiness; check the side effects on the label and monitor how your body reacts to it before you drive.
If you have any conditions that cause tiredness, such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or motor neurone disease (MND), you’ll need to report them to the DVLA. If you fail to disclose any medical condition that impacts your driving, you risk a fine of up to £1,000 and potential prosecution in the event of an accident.
How to get a (relatively) good night’s sleep in your car
If you do end up spending the night in your car, here are a few tips for staying safe and getting the best rest possible:
- Lock the doors.
- Open a window slightly so you get some fresh air.
- Don’t leave the engine running.
- Set an alarm so you don’t oversleep.
- Head to the back seat; you’ll be more comfy, and you’re less likely to have someone tapping on your window to check if you’re okay.
- Keep a blanket, pillow, and some warm clothes in your car if you’re heading on a long drive.
- Find somewhere quiet to park, away from streetlights, if you can.
- Keep some water and snacks in your car.
Sleeping in a vehicle may be permissible in certain circumstances, but only in limited circumstances. In certain regions, for instance, there are campgrounds or rest spots that are specifically allocated for overnight parking. Additionally, for reasons of safety, it may be allowed to briefly sleep in a car in exceptional circumstances, such as when there is an emergency or when one is really exhausted. On the other hand, in order to guarantee compliance, it is essential to conduct research and act in accordance with the local rules and regulations.