Resident Parking Scheme Questions and Answers

Do I need to respond?

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There is no obligation to respond. The scheme requires a consensus to move to the statutory stage and only schemes that are supported by the majority of those who respond will progress. It is important that we gather as much feedback from residents as possible to create informed proposals based on the needs and views of your area. 

How will the scheme affect the use of my private driveway?

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You do not need a permit to park on your driveway or any other private areas of land. However, if you use your land to park on and do not have dropped kerbs this is an unauthorised vehicular access and vehicles may choose to park across your frontage. 

Will we have to have signs and road markings in the street?

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It is essential that drivers are aware of where they can and cannot park. Generally speaking, where parking is permitted the areas will be marked out as white boxes with upright signs alongside. Where parking is not allowed, yellow lines are used. In some schemes it is not practical to mark out bays on the road. In such areas, there will be zone entry signs and repeater signs but no bay markings. These schemes are known as Permit Parking Areas (PPA). 

What about parking on the footway alongside the road?

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The Council receives a lot of complaints about parked cars blocking footways for pedestrians, pushchairs and wheelchairs. We cannot introduce a parking scheme that allows parking on the footway and forces vulnerable road users to walk in the road. 

How will this affect businesses, such as shops?

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In some Resident Parking Schemes we allocate short-stay spaces near shops and other business premises to encourage a regular turnover of parking.

Can I get a resident parking permit if I am a student?

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To qualify for a permit you must live in a Resident Permit Zone. There are no exemptions for students meaning your vehicle must be registered in your name and to an address within the zone. If your vehicle is still registered to a different address, complete section 6 on your V5C (log book) and upload SECTION 4, 5 & 6. We also need to see your Tenancy/Rental agreement, showing your name, the full postal address together with the start and finish dates. 

Can I get a permit for a courtesy car?

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If you have a courtesy car from a garage because of an accident or repair, please contact us and we can amend the permit details and issue a temporary permit. You will be asked to e-mail a copy of the hire agreement. You will need to contact us when your original vehicle has been repaired so we change the details back to your original vehicle. 

Can I get a resident parking permit if I don’t own the vehicle but a named driver on the insurance of another vehicle?

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No. To be issued with a resident parking permit, the vehicle must be registered with the DVLA in your name to you at an address within the resident zone. 

Can I get a resident parking permit if I live in a flat, shared house or HMO (House in Multiple Occupancy)?

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Permits are issued per postal address, so a flat with a separate postal address, such as Flat 1 or Flat A, is treated separately from other flats in the building and would qualify for up to two permits. If you live in a room in a shared house or HMO, the house is classed as one postal address and qualifies for up to two permits.

Can I get a resident parking permit for a lease car?

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Lease vehicles can be issued with a resident parking permit by providing a copy of the lease showing the driver's name, address, vehicle registration number, make, model and lease period together with proof of address. 

Can I get a resident parking permit for a company car?

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Company cars can be issued with a resident parking permit by providing a letter from the company on headed paper providing the drivers name, address, vehicle registration mark, make and mode together with proof of address. 

Can I get a resident parking permit for my company vehicle/commercial vehicle?

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Vans and commercial vehicles can be issued with a permit if you own the vehicle, it is registered in your name at the permit address, or this is the only vehicle at the property. If the vehicle is needed for emergency call-outs it may qualify for a permit but you will need to provide three months' worth of time-sheets showing the occasions when the vehicle has been called out in an emergency.
Only vehicles with a gross weight less than 3,501kg will be eligible for a permit, even if the vehicle is registered to you at your address. 

Can Taxis and Private Hire have a permit?

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Taxis and Private Hire vehicles can be issued with a resident parking permit by providing a letter from the leasing company giving details of the person leasing the vehicle, vehicle registration, make and model and the lease period together with proof of address.