Cars from more than a dozen major brands banned from parking in bays and face £70 fines – check if yours is affected

CARS from more than a dozen major brands now face a parking ban and £70 fines for being too large under schemes set up by several councils.

Five local authorities have introduced new policies punishing motorists for their vehicles' size.

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Freedom of Information requests from revealed that models from manufacturers including Tesla, Kia and BMW will be subject to restrictions in areas across the nation.

At least five of the councils that were sent a request replied saying that they had already imposed length limits on motors in their region.

The average length of a UK parking bay is 4.8m, but increasingly large modern cars now often exceed that.

Councils in Wokingham, South Hampshire, Broadland and South Norfolk and West Devon have set the limit at 5m.

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The rules will see popular models like the Tesla Model S, Range Rover and Kia EV9 banned from using council-operated parking bays in these areas.

Thurrock Council has similarly brought in a more relaxed 5.35m limit, which could still catch out drivers of larger SUVs.

Anyone found to be skirting the prohibition could face a £70 penalty as a result.

And, in contrast to private car parks, these can be legally enforced, meaning non-payment could result in a court date.

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Mark Tisshaw, Editor of Autocar Business, said: "We know that cars are getting longer and wider, typically due to ever-stricter crash and safety legislation they must meet, and these figures show too few councils are adapting to this new reality. 

"Space sizes should reflect the UK vehicle parc, so motorists can park without fear of damaging other vehicles or being fined for overstepping a bay. 

"The fact it’s almost impossible to find the parking restrictions online – with drivers often forced to read the small print on physical signage at the location to understand the precise rules – only adds to the difficulties faced by motorists."

Unfortunately, 91% of the councils that replied to the requests said they have no plans to expand the size of existing bays.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the manufacturer's industry body the SMMT, told : "Modern cars are packed with advanced safety technology that protects passengers and other road users, from airbags to crumple zones, all of which contribute to vehicles being larger than before.

"Cars also increasingly accommodate electric batteries and motors rather than just engines which can affect size and shape. 

"Ultimately, however, it is consumers that influence vehicle design with manufacturers responding to market tastes and preferences and ensuring that all cars – irrespective of size and body type – meet relevant regulations."