If you get "The Knock" (which is very rare if you're doing vanlife right) and are asked to move:
- Apologize - "Sorry, I didn't realize I couldn't park here."
- Let them know you are moving - "I'll pack my things up and be on my way within a few minutes."
- Leave - Move out of the area to another location.
DO. NOT. ARGUE.
- Even if you are legally allowed to be there. (You may be wrong.)
- Even if the person has no authority to make you move. (They may escalate the confrontation.)
- Even if other nomads are parked nearby, or you've parked there in the past.
Refusing to move risks escalating the situation, and you are increasing animosity toward vanlifers, which in turn increases the regulations that make living nomadically more difficult. You may be the 15th person to park in that spot this month, or the previous person to park there may have dumped trash or been otherwise unpleasant. You may not be aware of a certain reason why you must move, such as snow plows on their way, a special event, or a street closure.
Just pack up your things (you should always be ready to leave anyway) and find another spot several minutes' drive away. Double check local ordinances to make sure you aren't breaking any laws. It's a good idea to have a backup parking location every night, just in case this happens. That way you're not struggling to find a spot at 3 a.m. while exhausted and stressed.
As part of being ready to leave, don't drink alcohol or be impaired by drugs if you're parked anywhere you might be asked to leave. Police aren't likely to simply ask you to "move along" if they can tell that you aren't safe to drive, and that might result in a worse outcome for you.
Make a note of the spot where it happened so that you know not to stay there again. Consider adding it to your navigation app or to crowdsourced apps like iOverlander.
Exceptions
If you are parked in a campground where you have a spot you are entitled to (because you paid for it, arrived first, etc.), then you probably don't need to move unless the person has authority there (campground host, police, etc.) or can demonstrate why you need to move.
How often does it happen?
Most nomads who park where they are allowed to don't get The Knock very often. Many report going years with no knocks. If it happens to you, try to figure out why you got the knock and see what you can correct to reduce the chance in the future. You'll need to reassess how you are finding parking and come up with alternative spots.
If you are in an area that has seen an increase in the number of people living in vehicles (involuntary nomads), or in an area where many people try to save on high hotel costs (tourist hotspots), you are at a higher risk for a knock.
Preventing The Knock
The basic rule is that no one else should see any sign of "camping", only of "parking". Ensure that you won't be in the way of anyone else. Arrive late and leave early, and stay only one night. Stay in your vehicle: don't cook or sit outside (do those activities at a different location beforehand). Don't idle your engine, run generators, etc., and be as stealthy as possible. You won't be invisible, but you must be ignorable.
In most locations on public property, the police generally won't bother you IF you aren't parked in a No Parking zone or otherwise breaking the law (see Parking regulations), IF no one has called them to complain about your presence, or IF there haven't been recent problems with other nomads in that location. Look up local city ordinances and look carefully for signage.
If you're on private property, such as a business parking lot, do everything you can to keep a low profile. You need to follow best practices when parking at a business.
Ignoring The Knock
If you have security cameras or peepholes on your vehicle, you may be able to determine who is knocking and simply ignore the person. For example, someone who is drunk may just be banging on every vehicle along the street. Someone who realizes your vehicle is occupied and is curious or wants to offer help may also knock. Not answering is risky though, since the person may call the police or a tow truck immediately after knocking. As such, it's a good idea to move any time you get a knock.
If pressing the "lock" button on your key fob makes your horn beep, consider it. Doing this lets the person know that they have been seen, but it does not necessarily tell the person that you are in your vehicle.
If you get a knock from the police, park ranger, etc., and ignore it, be aware that they may forcibly enter your vehicle to perform a wellness check or investigate a crime, which leaves you with a broken window or door and possibly legal trouble. People who work in law enforcement and/or regularly interact with people living in their vehicle will easily know whether your vehicle is occupied; if they knock, it's because they know you're in there.
Continue learning
Resources
| Search forums and groups | Search van life discussion groups for "the knock" | |
| Search related sites | Search van life sites for "the knock" | |
| Search NomadLife.wiki | Search other pages on this wiki for "the knock" |