29 July 2026 · 3 min read
Can I extend my driveway to fit another car?
If you've ended up with two cars and only room for one on the drive, you're not alone. It's one of the most common jobs we get asked about across Leeds, and in most cases the answer is yes — you can extend your driveway to take a second vehicle. We recently did exactly that for a home in Leeds 17, widening the existing drive in charcoal block paving so the family could park both cars off the road.
Here's what's involved and what to think about before you start.
Matching the new paving to the old
The biggest worry people have is that the extension will look like an obvious add-on. It doesn't have to. On the Leeds 17 job we used charcoal block pavers laid in a herringbone pattern to tie in with the original driveway. Herringbone isn't just about looks — it locks the blocks together and spreads the weight of a car far better than a simple stack bond, so it's the pattern we'd recommend for anything vehicles drive over.
If your existing blocks are a few years old they'll have weathered slightly, so we take time choosing a colour and finish that sits comfortably next to what's already there rather than clashing with it.
Getting the base right
A driveway is only as good as what's underneath it. The visible blocks are the easy part — the real work is in the excavation and sub-base. For a driveway that carries cars, you need a properly compacted stone sub-base, the right depth of laying course, and a fall that moves rainwater away from the house. Skimp on any of that and you'll get sinking, movement or puddling within a couple of years.
We also fit solid edge restraints, haunched in with concrete, so the outer blocks can't creep or spread over time. You can see the crisp edging line on the Leeds 17 job where the paving meets the planting bed and retaining wall.
Drainage and planning rules
Since 2008, if you're creating or extending a driveway of more than five square metres, the surface generally needs to be permeable — or the water needs to drain to a soakaway or border rather than straight onto the road. Block paving can be laid to meet these rules, either with permeable blocks or by directing run-off into a gravel border or planted bed, as we did here. It's worth getting this right, because it keeps you the correct side of the regulations and stops water pooling on the drive.
Retaining walls and levels
Many Leeds properties sit on a slope or have raised borders, so extending a drive often means dealing with a change in level. On this job we built a rendered retaining wall to hold back the planting bed and keep the new paving level and safe. Sorting the levels properly is what makes the finished job feel like it was always meant to be there.
How long does it take?
A driveway extension of this size is usually a matter of days rather than weeks, depending on how much excavation and groundwork is needed and the weather. We keep the site tidy throughout and clear away all waste — a skip on site, as you'll spot in our photos, keeps everything contained.
Thinking about extending your drive?
If you're in Leeds and struggling to fit a second car off the road, we're happy to come out, look at the space and give you honest advice on what's possible. Get in touch with CLM Projects for a no-pressure quote.