Driveway Blocked: What to Do If You Can’t Get Out?

Is your driveway or garage blocked, and you can’t get out? This isn’t just annoying , it can also cause real problems. You might be late for work or miss an important appointment. But what are you allowed to do now? And what should you avoid doing? We’ll explain it step by step.

Wait a moment first

Before you act, wait at least 5 minutes. Many drivers only stop briefly to load or unload and return quickly. There’s a good chance the issue will resolve itself.

By the way, you shouldn’t honk—according to traffic regulations, that’s only allowed in case of real danger. So it doesn’t help and just causes unnecessary trouble.

Step 1: Locate the driver

If the driver hasn’t returned after 5 minutes, take a brief look around the neighborhood. Often, the person is just a few meters away or at a neighbor’s house. A brief conversation often resolves the situation faster than any other measure.

Significant: If the driver shows up and says they’ll move the car immediately, you’re no longer allowed to call a tow truck. That would not be legally permissible in this case.

Step 2: Take photos, always!

No matter how the situation unfolds, take photos. Photograph the vehicle, the license plate, and the blocked driveway or garage—preferably with the date and time visible. These photos serve as evidence in case a dispute arises later or you wish to claim costs from the person who parked illegally.

Step 3: Respond appropriately, depending on the situation

How you proceed now depends on where the other person’s car is parked.

Driveway blocked: Car is parked on the street

Call the public order office or the police. The authorities will assess the situation and decide whether the vehicle should be towed. In this case, the illegal parker bears the towing costs—not you.

Driveway blocked: Car is on your private property

In this case, you may call a towing service yourself. This is legally permitted because your property is being disturbed—legal term: disturbance of possession under § 858 BGB. However, you must first cover the costs yourself and then reclaim them from the owner.

Tip: Only tell the person who parked illegally where their vehicle is once they have paid the costs. This is permitted under case law.

Driveway blocked: Car is on the sidewalk

Here, too, the Public Order Office or the police are the right people to contact. They will handle the rest.

What you should never do

Some reactions are understandable—but still prohibited:

• Blocking or obstructing the illegally parked vehicle yourself → This can be considered coercion and is a criminal offense.
• Moving or driving the vehicle away on your own initiative → Not permitted and can be costly.
• Having the vehicle towed immediately without trying to locate the driver → Legally risky if the driver could have been reached.

Your Rights as a Property Owner

As the owner or tenant of a property, you are entitled to manage your property. You decide who parks on your private property. If a stranger’s vehicle blocks your driveway, this constitutes a trespass—German law protects you.

On public roads, the following applies: The German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) prohibit parking in front of driveways and exits. Anyone who parks there illegally faces a fine of at least 10 euros. In the case of fire department access points, immediate towing may even be enforced.

How to protect your driveway in the future

A few simple measures can help prevent your driveway from being blocked in the first place:

• “Keep driveway clear” sign – not an official traffic sign, but often very effective
• Add the note: “Illegally parked vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense” – this deters many
• In case of recurring problems with the same vehicle: File a report with the public order office and document all incidents

Conclusion: Acting calmly pays off

Driveway blocked by parked cars, it’s annoying, but solvable. Wait a moment, find the driver, take photos, and then contact the appropriate authorities. If you stay calm and follow the correct procedure, you’ll be on the safe side legally.

By the way, a garage with clear signage and a distinct boundary from the public area provides additional protection against illegal parkers.

Sources

• ADAC: Driveway blocked: When you’re allowed to have an illegally parked car towed
• Bußgeldkatalog.org: Car or driveway blocked: What to do?
• Bußgeldkatalog.de: Blocked driveway: How can drivers defend themselves against this?
• DEVK: Blocked driveway – What to do?
• R+V Versicherung: Car blocking the driveway: What to do if someone has parked in front of me?
• Garage-und-Carport.de: What to do if the driveway or garage is blocked?