Is It Illegal to Sleep In Your Car?

It's late at night.

You're feeling tired and fancy stopping by the roadside to get a few hours kip. Or maybe you just couldn't (or didn't want to) get a hotel for the night.

Either way, it's probably better than falling asleep at the wheel, right?

When Is It Legal to Sleep in Your Car?

So, is it illegal to sleep in your car?

Good news is it's perfectly legal to sleep in your car as long as you're in a sober condition (more on that in a bit) and are legally parked.

Those locations include:

Service stations
Car parks
Streets with no parking restrictions (but without obstructing traffic/driveways)
Legal roadside rest stop areas
A private driveway (with the owner’s permission)
Private land (with the owner’s permission)

That said, be careful with car parks. Some shut their gates at night, or you could be fined if you stay too long.

Best avoid double yellow lines, and don't be tempted to use the hard shoulder. That's for breakdowns and emergencies only. A parking garage with cars parked in the middle.

Is It Safe?

Probably, as long as you park somewhere that's well-lit, therefore avoiding the things that go bump in the night – like thieves and foxes.

But not so well-lit that you can't get to sleep, mind.

And unless it's Scotland in the middle of winter, you're probably not going to die of hypothermia. Best to still use a blanket though if you have one handy, and crack open a window slightly to maintain some airflow (weather-permitting, of course).

Oh, and best keep the ignition off along with any ancillary features like the radio and air conditioning. Those could run down your car's battery.

Cheaper Than a Hotel

Yep, even if you do manage to rack up a fine for excess parking.

But be warned: trying to get to sleep in your car isn't going to be the most comfortable experience . . .

It's a bit like trying to doze off in a cold, less comfortable airplane.

Also, don't be shocked if you get a surprise wake-up call from the police chapping on your window. They're probably just checking that you're okay (and not drunk or drugged up). A hotel sign on top of a building.

Can You Sleep in Your Car While Drunk?

No.

That's when it becomes illegal.

Or if you're under the influence of drugs (hopefully not both at the same time).

So even though it might seem like a good idea to doze off in your car for a bit after a night out, it's a bad idea . . .

Play it safe. Get a taxi home.

But I'm Not Driving?

Yeah, right . . .

Jokes aside, it's illegal to be drunk or on drugs in your vehicle, even if you don't plan on actually getting behind the wheel.

As far as the law is concerned, you're guilty of being 'drunk in charge of a motor vehicle', therefore violating Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The reason this is law is because the police (and probably you) have no way to prove that you weren't just drink driving to where you now are.

The Consequences?

Supposing you ARE drunk/on drugs at the time and you get busted . . .

Well, there's a shred of hope left, as lots of factors will be taken into consideration at court, like where the keys were at the time and whether you were sleeping (or passed out) in the back or the front seats.

That being said, your case is probably still going to be pretty flimsy, and you could face a hefty fine and up to 10 points on your driving licence, not to mention a massive hike in your car insurance costs.

Summary

Simple answer: yes, it is perfectly fine to sleep in your car, as long as you're parked legally and not under the influence of drink or drugs.

So, snooze away!

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