After all, you cannot leave or enter your property until the other vehicle is removed. But if you wait for the owner to return and move it themselves, you could be waiting a very long time.

Sometimes a person may park their car entirely or partially on your driveway while visiting a neighbor next door. In other cases, someone may abandon their vehicle after it has broken down there. None of these situations give the vehicle’s owner the legal right to park on any part of your driveway.

According to Kentucky law, residents generally have the right to have a vehicle towed if it is blocking their driveway. Homeowners may contact a licensed towing company to remove a car that obstructs access to their property.

While the state law allows homeowners to remove vehicles blocking their driveways, it is always a good idea to check with local city or county ordinances, as some areas may have additional requirements or restrictions regarding towing procedures.

Private business owners must follow a slightly different set of rules for their commercial properties.

For example, business owners are required to post clear and visible warning signage on their property. These signs must include legal language in accordance with Kentucky statutes, outlining the parking rules of the property. This includes where visitors may park and the penalties for blocking driveways or reserved areas. In most cases, the liability of the business owner is limited to having the vehicle towed at the car owner’s expense.

Therefore, if a vehicle is parked in violation of a properly posted sign on a commercial property, the business owner has the legal right to contact a towing company to remove it immediately.

However, if there is no signage on the property, the process becomes more limited. In such cases, business owners may need to wait a specific period—usually 24 hours—before having the vehicle towed, and police involvement may also be required.

If you operate a business in Kentucky, it’s crucial to post the appropriate warning signs in your parking lot and on your driveway. Proper signage gives you the authority to remove vehicles that are blocking your driveway or otherwise violating parking rules on your commercial property.

The Best Actions to Take

It is understandable why you would want to remove a vehicle blocking your driveway. After all, it prevents you or others from entering or leaving the property. Imagine needing to get to work and finding your driveway blocked, or potential customers being unable to access your business.

Before calling a local towing company, your first step should be to contact the police. In Kentucky, it’s wise to verify with law enforcement that you have the legal right to tow a vehicle. If the police confirm that towing is permissible, they will document the incident. This ensures that if the vehicle owner contacts law enforcement later, the police can provide the towing company’s information and details about the removal.

Many towing companies are legally required to notify law enforcement when they remove a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Even so, it is a good idea to make the call yourself to verify compliance. This approach gives you peace of mind that you are following Kentucky law correctly.

Be Careful of Towing Cars on Public Streets

You have the right to tow cars blocking your driveway when they are actually on your property, whether entirely or partially. Things get more complicated if the vehicle is parked completely on a public street in front of your driveway. Kentucky law gives homeowners and business owners authority only over their own property—not public roads.

If a vehicle is obstructing your driveway from the street, you must contact local law enforcement. Police officers have the authority to address vehicles parked illegally on public streets and can compel the motorist to move the car.

If the motorist cannot be located or refuses to move their vehicle, the police may authorize a licensed towing company to impound it. Typically, officers will attempt to contact the vehicle’s owner using a license plate trace. If the owner cannot be reached, law enforcement will proceed with removing the car, ensuring your driveway is accessible once again.

Kentucky residents and business owners alike can take comfort in knowing that legal remedies exist when vehicles block driveways. By following proper procedures—contacting police first, posting required signage on commercial property, and using licensed towing services—you can ensure that the situation is resolved efficiently and legally.