Sleeping in one's vehicle

popotla

popotla

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Come to Germany! It's great for motorhoming/van life.
We noticed recently at a carpark in England that free overnight parking was in order but sleeping in a vehicle overnight was not. We were puzzled. In this context, what is the significant difference between a vehicle being unoccupied/occupied overnight?
 
The ONLY difference is in one you are parking, the other you are camping.
Sleeping in a vehicle, or a park bench, or on a beach is camping in the eyes of the law makers
 
pappajohn said:
The ONLY difference is in one you are parking, the other you are camping.
Sleeping in a vehicle, or a park bench, or on a beach is camping in the eyes of the law makers
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Talking of the eyes of the law makers, is this camping too?
mpsleeping.jpeg
 
Some people on here proudly boast they have never paid for overnight parking.....personally I consider a pragmatic approach to this. I have full timed for well over a year in Europe and probably spent much more than half of that time parking overnight legally for free with just a few incidents.

The UK seems very different, I have never parked overnight in a UK layby as it's just not an attractive proposition for me in this crowded unruly country, public car parks similar. We have 'wild camped' in the UK legally though in private car parks and pubs etc.

We joined the caravan & camping club and park on their small 5 van sites which are usually close by where we want to be or not that far. Costs are £10 -15 per night (usually) and for that you get disposal facilities and electricity (sometimes extra). £10 a night for security (no boy racers etc) a good nights sleep and leccy etc seems like a good deal to me.
 
GJH said:
Legally? Only if the car park owner acts within the exemptions of the 1960 Act - which many (if not most) don't :)
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Well we were the only moho and we stayed for 1 night, (with permission) so as far as I am concerned it's legal :winky:
 
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So what happens if you do?

Obviously if signs in car park saying you can’t and cameras then a private company after you.

If just a no overnight camping sign then how is this enforced.?

And if a random layby or street then not breaking any law?

We use CLs in GB , and occasionally just a random road-in scotland and eire.
 
As a Retired Truck driver, I have "camped" illegally in many places in the UK. The fact that by law "we" cannot always be in a position to CHOOSE, where we stop, rather dictated to by the "schedulers", the volumes of traffic, the behaviour of those who insist on having "accidents". closing the highways for hours on end. makes for illegal camping being a factor of life.

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PeteH said:
As a Retired Truck driver, I have "camped" illegally in many places in the UK. The fact that by law "we" cannot always be in a position to CHOOSE, where we stop, rather dictated to by the "schedulers", the volumes of traffic, the behaviour of those who insist on having "accidents". closing the highways for hours on end. makes for illegal camping being a factor of life.
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As we have discussed several times, the laws governing truck drivers differ from the camping laws - for the very reason that the law recognises that truck drivers can't choose. Motorhomers, on the other hand, have every freedom to choose :)
 
What would be the punishment if you were found sleeping in your van,,,nothing i would imagine,,BUSBY,, :D :D
 
autorouter said:
Talking of the eyes of the law makers, is this camping too?
View attachment 328727
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Nah!
That's taking the piss...... £300 a day to turn up then fall asleep.
House of commons seats should be electrified.... Just enough to keep you alert, wouldn't want to hurt them would we.
 
PeteH said:
As a Retired Truck driver, I have "camped" illegally in many places in the UK. The fact that by law "we" cannot always be in a position to CHOOSE, where we stop, rather dictated to by the "schedulers", the volumes of traffic, the behaviour of those who insist on having "accidents". closing the highways for hours on end. makes for illegal camping being a factor of life.
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Mines PHGV so as a "truck" looks like I am well safe then :)
 
busby said:
What would be the punishment if you were found sleeping in your van,,,nothing i would imagine,,BUSBY,, :D :D
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I would think you would be told to move. You could then refuse and the council/carpark owner would need to apply to the courts for an eviction order...meanwhile you have already gone anyway. Seems to work for the travellers.

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PeteH said:
As a Retired Truck driver, I have "camped" illegally in many places in the UK. The fact that by law "we" cannot always be in a position to CHOOSE, where we stop, rather dictated to by the "schedulers", the volumes of traffic, the behaviour of those who insist on having "accidents". closing the highways for hours on end. makes for illegal camping being a factor of life.
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The info behind this interests me greatly as not too far in the future I will be getting kicked out of where I have lived for 46 years and my plan is to build a stealth camper out of a 7.5 tonner.
What I'd love to know is what sort of hassle did you get when and where ever you stopped. How did you choose a location and did plod ever have issue with it..
One of my main concerns though is making sure I don't get looked upon as some sort of "traveller"
 
My only current interest is that I think it is high time that the "Rules" where changed. Camping is regulated by a law that was (as far as I am aware) last updated back in the 1980`s. (but no doubt GH will be able to confirm this :giggler:) Overnighting is a term used for being able to take "rest", which in my view is essential in the interest of road safety. One see`s on most motorways signage to the effect "dont drive tired". Yet the Services make a charge after 2 hours, and the facilities are (mostly) appalling, and charges are obscene. What is required is a common sense approach, that which would allow short term stays, and sleeping (rest) but will also allow authorities to eject abusers. My suggestion would be for a (say) 24hr stay period after which it would up to the owner or lessee to decide whether to eject or allow further stay for a fee. This would legitimise a short stay but give sufficient leeway for the Police to move offenders on or fine heavily/impound vehicles if refused.
 
I downloaded a truck stop app to see how that compared to the camperstop type locations and was aghast at the cost of taking a rest break at the services, that you are required to by law. £26 fecking quid a night, I nearly spat my tea out..
 
HandyAndy said:
The info behind this interests me greatly as not too far in the future I will be getting kicked out of where I have lived for 46 years and my plan is to build a stealth camper out of a 7.5 tonner.
What I'd love to know is what sort of hassle did you get when and where ever you stopped. How did you choose a location and did plod ever have issue with it..
One of my main concerns though is making sure I don't get looked upon as some sort of "traveller"
Click to expand...
PeteH said:
My only current interest is that I think it is high time that the "Rules" where changed. Camping is regulated by a law that was (as far as I am aware) last updated back in the 1980`s. (but no doubt GH will be able to confirm this :giggler:) Overnighting is a term used for being able to take "rest", which in my view is essential in the interest of road safety. One see`s on most motorways signage to the effect "dont drive tired". Yet the Services make a charge after 2 hours, and the facilities are (mostly) appalling, and charges are obscene. What is required is a common sense approach, that which would allow short term stays, and sleeping (rest) but will also allow authorities to eject abusers. My suggestion would be for a (say) 24hr stay period after which it would up to the owner or lessee to decide whether to eject or allow further stay for a fee. This would legitimise a short stay but give sufficient leeway for the Police to move offenders on or fine heavily/impound vehicles if refused.
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Having just stopped at service stations on the A1 during a certain horse fair, I can imagine the mayhem :Eeek:
 
HandyAndy said:
I downloaded a truck stop app to see how that compared to the camperstop type locations and was aghast at the cost of taking a rest break at the services, that you are required to by law. £26 fecking quid a night, I nearly spat my tea out..
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Depends where you want to live , you would be able to park every night for free on legitimate stops in France.

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MR. FUSION said:
Having just stopped at service stations on the A1 during a certain horse fair, I can imagine the mayhem :Eeek:
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You have my sympathy, travelling behind a string of horse and carts is not my idea of "fun". The best bit is next week when they all decide to head for "pastures new". It then becomes a lottery as to which route you take to avoid the congestion!.
 
sadly I enjoy where I currently work so I'd have to move about a lot locally. :D
 
HandyAndy said:
I wonder how long I could hide in the industrial estate if I moved the lorry every day :D
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If you are on good terms with the other people there don't see why you couldn't.

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