In most places, parking in front of a driveway is a traffic violation—even if you leave your engine running and a note that says “Sorry!” It doesn’t matter if the driveway is empty or the owner is on vacation. The curb cut is sacred ground.
Think of it as a legal force field. You can’t see it, but it’s there, protecting the homeowner’s right to pull out without performing a three-point turn around your Prius. Most cities will happily give you a ticket, and some will even tow your car straight to a lot where it can think about what it’s done.
What counts as “blocking” a driveway?
Here’s where it gets a little fussy. You don’t have to be fully in the driveway to be a menace. If any part of your car hangs over the curb cut or the sidewalk ramp, you’re in violation. Even a sneaky tire counts.
And remember that little dip in the curb? That’s not an invitation for free parking. That’s the driveway’s official entrance—a VIP lane for homeowners only. You’re basically parking in their imaginary front door.
