Sometimes, just trying to find a parking space can be the most stressful part of driving. And for many of us living in heavily populated or popular areas, it’s a daily problem.

But when you do find the ideal parking space, how long can you stay there?

We take a look at the options.

How long can I park for before I have to move my vehicle?

The quick answer is that, if you’re following the rules of the Highway Code and aren’t causing an obstruction, as long as you want.

Yes, it’s that simple – follow the Highway Code, which you can read online here, and you can stay as long as you want.

So that means if there’s no lines, no signs, and your vehicle is legal, taxed and insured, you can relax… or can you?

What if someone reports me?

There is one problem with leaving your car for a VERY long time – people might assume that it has been abandoned and report it as such.

It is then up to the police to decide if they think it has been abandoned, and the condition of the vehicle will play a big part in their decision. For example, if there’s no license plate and the windows have been smashed, they might assume that the owner isn’t rushing back to the car anytime soon.

Do the same rules apply to every road in the country?

Again, yes and no.

As always, you first need to check for any signs and/or lines that might inform you of any conditions, and these could change throughout the UK.

There might be special circumstances at different times of day or year, such as permit spaces reserved for locals, and some streets might be pay and display. Which mean that yes, you can park there, but with conditions.

On the other hand, signs and lines aren't always a barrier - there might be yellow lines, for example, that you can park on at certain time of day. So you need to check each time.

The one simple rule is: when in doubt, check the Highway Code.

What if someone has parked in my space outside my house?

While this is annoying, the rules of the Highway Code still apply; if they haven’t broken them, they’re perfectly entitled to park there as long as they want.

If it’s a regular problem, ideally it would be best to discuss it with them and politely and try to resolve it.

If, however, they’re also blocking your drive, then you can contact the council for advice. And if they’re breaking the Highway Code, like parking on a dropped kerb designed for pedestrians with mobility issues, then you can try the police.