A quick drop-off outside the school gates could leave London parents facing a penalty charge notice. Here are the restrictions to check before you stop.

The school run can feel like a race against the clock. When parking spaces are scarce and the children need to be through the gates, stopping “just for a moment” can seem harmless.

But a brief stop in the wrong place could result in a fine. Car leasing company Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has identified five mistakes drivers should watch for around schools. In London, the higher penalty for a serious parking contravention is £160 in Band A areas or £140 in Band B areas, with the charge depending on the location and offence.

Five School Run Parking Restrictions Drivers Must Check

1. Stopping on school zig-zags

Yellow zig-zag lines outside school entrances keep the area clear so children and drivers can see one another. When an upright sign says the no-stopping restriction is in force, drivers must not stop there even to let a child out.

Some boroughs use cameras to enforce the rule. Merton Council, for example, says it issues £160 penalty charge notices to drivers who stop illegally on school zig-zags, reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days.

2. Blocking a driveway or dropped kerb

Parking across a resident’s driveway can stop someone getting their vehicle in or out. It can also lead to enforcement where a car obstructs a dropped kerb. Merton lists obstructing the flat section of a driveway or dropped kerb among the parking offences residents can report.

It is worth checking where the lowered kerb begins before leaving the car, even if you plan to be back in minutes.

3. Driving into a School Street

A School Street is a road outside a school where motor vehicle access is restricted at drop-off and pick-up times. The operating hours and exemptions are set locally, so drivers should check the signs at the entrance rather than assume they can drive through because they are collecting a child.

Havering Council says unauthorised entry to one of its School Streets can bring a £160 penalty, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days.

4. Pulling into a bus stop

An empty bus stop is no substitute for a parking space. Drivers should check for a bus stop clearway and its signs before stopping: a restricted stop needs to remain accessible to buses and passengers. The Highway Code also advises drivers not to stop or park at or near a bus stop.

5. Making a prohibited U-turn

Missing the school entrance or a parking space can be frustrating, but a hurried U-turn may breach a signed restriction. Check the signs and road layout before turning around, particularly on unfamiliar streets near a school.

Keith Hawes, Director of Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, said: “The school run can be one of the most stressful parts of a parent’s day, especially when trying to get children to school on time while navigating busy roads and limited parking. However, a momentary lapse in judgement, such as stopping on zig-zag lines, pulling into a bus stop, or making a prohibited U-turn, can result in a substantial fine.”

The simplest way to avoid a costly last-minute decision is to allow time to find a legal place to stop and walk the final stretch to the school gates.