# is it illegal to block in a car taking up your space to wait for tow truck? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 15, 2018, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405 "2018-09-15T20:24:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![helpmeout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/49beb7/32.png) [@helpmeout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/helpmeout)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/21 "2018-09-15T23:37:04Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Why? Because they waste my time and my gas wondering why the hell did they not park in a free parking spot that is up on a hill. I don’t care if you can’t park on a hill because I am paying for that space and you’re not, unless you give me cash to park there. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/22 "2018-09-15T23:40:14Z")
> [@helpmeout](#): > > Because they waste my time and my gas wondering why the hell did they not park in a free parking spot that is up on a hill. I don’t care if you can’t park on a hill because I am paying for that space and you’re not, unless you give me cash to park there. But if they leave before the tow truck gets there, you get your parking space, same as if they get towed, and sooner too. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/23 "2018-09-15T23:44:53Z")
> [@helpmeout](#): > > Because they waste my time and my gas wondering why the hell did they not park in a free parking spot that is up on a hill. I don’t care if you can’t park on a hill because I am paying for that space and you’re not, unless you give me cash to park there. Do you understand the reasons given as to why you can’t do what you would like to do? ---
**Author:** ![helpmeout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/49beb7/32.png) [@helpmeout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/helpmeout)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/24 "2018-09-15T23:45:56Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > But if they leave before the tow truck gets there, you get your parking space, same as if they get towed, and sooner too. Why not park on a free parking spot if its empty? Its just up a hill. That will waste like 5 minutes of there time walking from the parking lot to a house. You don’t inconvenience other ppl. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/25 "2018-09-15T23:48:21Z")
> [@helpmeout](#): > > Why not park on a free parking spot if its empty? Its just up a hill. That will waste like 5 minutes of there time walking from the parking lot to a house. You don’t inconvenience other ppl. Oh, I agree, they shouldn’t park in your parking space. But the question was, what can you do about it. The consensus was you shouldn’t block them in. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/26 "2018-09-15T23:57:40Z")
> [@helpmeout](#): > > Why not park on a free parking spot if its empty? Its just up a hill. That will waste like 5 minutes of there time walking from the parking lot to a house. You don’t inconvenience other ppl. What state do you reside in? ---
**Author:** ![K2500](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f6c823/32.png) [@K2500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K2500)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/27 "2018-09-15T23:58:27Z")
> [@helpmeout](#): > > Why not park on a free parking spot if its empty? Its just up a hill. That will waste like 5 minutes of there time walking from the parking lot to a house. You don’t inconvenience other ppl. Being blocked in is quite an Inconvenience as well. Also, you’d waste quite a bit more time waiting on a tow truck than five minutes. Why not just let them move out of your spot and go on with your day? ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/28 "2018-09-15T23:58:43Z")
You’re not anymore important than anybody else. Assigned parking is an elitist concept. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/29 "2018-09-16T00:00:58Z")
BTW, it won’t be a valid citizen’s arrest unless you are detaining them until they are given over to the proper legal authorities-tow truck drivers don’t count. ---
**Author:** ![helpmeout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/49beb7/32.png) [@helpmeout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/helpmeout)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/30 "2018-09-16T00:01:35Z")
Who cares if they are inconvenienced. They should not park in a parking spot they don’t own and that’s why neighbor get angry at there neighbor. I would be more then happy to waste more of my time to block them in and make them waste $150+ when they get towed so they learn there lesson. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/31 "2018-09-16T00:02:53Z")
> [@helpmeout](#): > > Who cares if they are inconvenienced. They should not park in a parking spot they don’t own and that’s why neighbor get angry at there neighbor. I would be more then happy to waste more of my time to block them in and make them waste $150+ when they get towed so they learn there lesson. Do you know what the fine for unlawful detention is? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/32 "2018-09-16T00:03:09Z")
> [@helpmeout](#): > > Who cares if they are inconvenienced. They should not park in a parking spot they don’t own and that’s why neighbor get angry at there neighbor. I would be more then happy to waste more of my time to block them in and make them waste $150+ when they get towed so they learn there lesson. What do you expect they will do when you refuse to let them out? ---
**Author:** ![K2500](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f6c823/32.png) [@K2500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K2500)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/33 "2018-09-16T00:04:43Z")
> [@helpmeout](#): > > Who cares if they are inconvenienced. They should not park in a parking spot they don’t own and that’s why neighbor get angry at there neighbor. I would be more then happy to waste more of my time to block them in and make them waste $150+ when they get towed so they learn there lesson. You said “You don’t inconvenience other ppl.” so I would think that you care. You said it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![helpmeout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/49beb7/32.png) [@helpmeout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/helpmeout)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/34 "2018-09-16T00:07:30Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Do you know what the fine for unlawful detention is? If they want a law suit I will give them a law suit. I have a lawyer handy, as I have said why take my parking spot if there is free parking spot that nobody parks at which is up on a hill. Like I said not my fault if they cant park on a hill. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/35 "2018-09-16T00:11:14Z")
> [@helpmeout](#): > > If they want a law suit I will give them a law suit. I have a lawyer handy, as I have said why take my parking spot if there is free parking spot that nobody parks at which is up on a hill. Like I said not my fault if they cant park on a hill. What state do you reside in? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/36 "2018-09-16T00:12:32Z")
> [@helpmeout](#): > > If they want a law suit I will give them a law suit. I have a lawyer handy, as I have said why take my parking spot if there is free parking spot that nobody parks at which is up on a hill. Like I said not my fault if they cant park on a hill. Did you come here for advice? ---
**Author:** ![K2500](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f6c823/32.png) [@K2500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K2500)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/37 "2018-09-16T00:15:06Z")
> [@helpmeout](#): > > If they want a law suit I will give them a law suit. I have a lawyer handy, as I have said why take my parking spot if there is free parking spot that nobody parks at which is up on a hill. Like I said not my fault if they cant park on a hill. They parked there becuase it was convenient. More convenient than parking on the hill. Also just as free, becuase they didn’t pay you. ---
**Author:** ![helpmeout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/49beb7/32.png) [@helpmeout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/helpmeout)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/38 "2018-09-16T00:18:08Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Did you come here for advice? Not really, Just a answer to my question. > [@K2500](#): > > They parked there becuase it was convenient. More convenient than parking on the hill. Also just as free, becuase they didn’t pay you. They will be paying me more if I sue them. I am sure that I would win that. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > What state do you reside in? MD why can’t you see in the picture? ---
**Author:** ![Qwakkeddup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/90ced4/32.png) [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/39 "2018-09-16T00:23:34Z")
Omaha, Neb. Jerk pulls into private driveway and parks for several hours without permission. Property owner wakes up and gets ready to go to work, only to find his truck parked in and he doesn’t know who they are or where. Proceeded to “push” offending car out of driveway with his truck, leaves it in the middle of the alleyway, goes to work. Police show up at his work with a laundry list of charges they want to arrest / ticket him on. If I remember, he wasn’t arrested or ticketed, but his insurance had to cover the damages. ---
**Author:** ![K2500](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f6c823/32.png) [@K2500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K2500)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405/40 "2018-09-16T00:26:02Z")
> [@helpmeout](#): > > They will be paying me more if I sue them. I am sure that I would win that. You’re assuming you will win. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-block-in-a-car-taking-up-your-space-to-wait-for-tow-truck/821405.md?page=3)