White access protection marking for driveways
Find out what the white lines across driveways are, how much we charge for them, and how to apply for one.
What white access protection markings are
An access protection marking is a white line painted on the road by our specialist lining contractors.
The access protection marking aims to deter motorists from parking across driveways.
The access protection marking extends across the width of an access.
Unlike yellow lines, white access protection markings do not have a legal standing and therefore are only used to highlight where an access point is. This means it is not against the law to park against the white lines. We cannot issue a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) if someone does.
We can issue a PCN if someone parks against a dropped kerb under the Traffic Management Act 2004, whether there are access protection road markings there or not.
If you're experiencing vehicles overhanging your dropped kerb, this is an enforcement issue. Phone NSL on 0345 603 5469 and choose option 1. They will send an Enforcement Officer out to your location to issue a penalty charge notice if applicable.
Essential criteria to provide access protection marking
We can provide an access protection marking if your driveway has a legal dropped kerb.
During the application process, we might ask you for a copy of the sign-off letter from the council’s vehicle crossovers team. This shows that they have approved the crossover works at your address.
Where a driveway is shared by 2 properties for the purpose of vehicle access, both properties will need to give consent, but this can be submitted on one application.
If you live within a controlled parking zone or if your area is under consultation to be part of a new controlled parking zone, we may be unable to approve any requests for white access protection markings.
Costs for access protection marking
The white access protection marking costs £25 per metre, which equates to the length of the access and an additional 0.5 metres for each end marking.
A £15 administrative fee also applies to all applications. This covers the cost of processing the application and arranging inspections and works.
If you would like to refresh an existing white access protection marking, you will need to make a new application. The costs outlined above will apply.
Blue Badge holders
If the applicant holds a valid Blue Badge, the access protection marking itself is provided free of charge, meaning there is no per-metre charge.
However, the £15 administrative fee still applies to all Blue Badge holder applications.
Apply for access protection marking
In the online form, after you've entered your personal details, select 'parking signs and lines' from the drop down menu.
Apply by post
To apply by post, download an application form for access protection marking and send it to Parking Design and Implementation, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ.
If you apply by post, we will contact you to take payment of the £15 administrative fee.
What happens after you apply
An officer will visit to inspect the location within 2 to 4 weeks of receiving your application.
If the site meets the criteria, you'll receive an email with:
- the cost of the work
- a weblink for the method of payment
Once we receive your payment, we will make a plan and pass it to our specialist road-lining contractors who will carry out the work. This is normally completed within approximately 8 to 10 weeks. You'll get an estimated timeframe when you pay.