July 09, 2025 | Roads Policing and Safety Cameras , Traffic Offences
Request Number: FOI/15064
Category: Policing Themes, Operations and Investigations - Policing Other
Subject: Laws and Regulations Regarding Washing Vehicles
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) does hold information to which your request relates.
However the decision has been made not to supply the information you have requested as the Information is Reasonably Accessible by Other Means. Therefore Section 21 of FOI Act applies and our rationale is set out in more detail below.
We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office, which we have followed in responding to your request.
Request
I was wondering if there was any law and or regulations with regards to washing your car outside your home on the footpath or driveway?
Answer
This request is being refused as the Information is Reasonably Accessible by Other Means. Please see our rationale below.
PSNI holds no recorded policy or guidance specifically about members of the public washing private vehicles on a footpath, driveway or road; therefore in accordance with Section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not required to supply information that is already reasonably accessible elsewhere.
The governing legislation, freely available on legislation.gov.uk and other sites, comprises:
Article 88 of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 – Obstruction of a carriageway or footway;
Rule 244 of the Highway Code (Northern Ireland) – Parking on the footpath;
Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 – District Council Powers over statutory nuisance.
Exemption explained
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
a. states that fact,
b. specifies the exemption in question and
c. states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption/s, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:
Section 21(1) - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means - Information which is reasonably accessible to the applicant otherwise than under section 1 is exempt information.
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.