Changing parking permits and other questions

If the answer to your question is not listed here, then please contact The Parking Shop (contact details on the Parking contact details page) where staff will be pleased to help you.

Changing vehicles

Replacement permits

Moving

Refunds

Changing vehicles

I have changed my vehicle, do I need to change my permit?

If your permit has the vehicle registration printed on it then yes.

You will have to surrender your current permit when you apply for a replacement. You will need to park legally whilst your replacement is issued as you will still be liable to a Penalty Charge Notice if parking without a permit.

If you do not have your old permit (for example if it was still in the car when you sold it), then you will need to fill in a Declaration of Lost or Stolen Permit form(pdf, 63KB).

The new vehicle is the same band

If the vehicle is the same band then complete the Change of same banded vehicle form(pdf, 68KB) and take it to The Parking Shop. You will need to attach your permit and take along documentary evidence of the new vehicle such as the Vehicle Registration Document.

The new vehicle is a different band

If the vehicle is a different band then you will have to surrender your existing permit and apply for a new one from scratch. You should fill in an Application for a refund form(pdf, 59KB) on your existing permit if there is more than a month remaining on it.

Your refund will be in the form of a cheque sent from the Council within 28 days and you will not be able to use any of the refund value when purchasing your new permit.

How much does a replacement permit cost?

There is no charge for a replacement permit for a change of vehicle if it is the first within a 12 month period. Subsequent replacements within the 12 month period will be charged a £10 administration fee.

What if my new vehicle has the same registration number as the old vehicle?

You will need to find out if the new vehicle is of the same band as the old.

If you do not have your old permit (for example. if it was still in the car when you sold it), then you will need to fill in a Declaration of Lost or Stolen Permit form(pdf, 63KB).

The new vehicle is the same band

If the vehicle is the same band then notify The Parking Shop of the new vehicle make, model and colour as soon as possible so that our systems can be updated. Contact details are available on the Parking contacts page.

You may need to provide a copy of the Vehicle Registration Document.

The new vehicle is a different band

If the vehicle is not the same band then you will have to surrender your existing permit and apply for a new one from scratch.  You should fill in an Application for a refund form(pdf, 59KB) on your existing permit if there is more than a month remaining on it.

Your refund will be in the form of a cheque sent from the Council within 28 days and you will not be able to use any of the refund value when purchasing your new permit.

I've disposed of my vehicle and got a Car Club membership, what do I do?

The Car Club vehicles will have their own designated parking bays and permits, so you do not need to have your own permit for them.

If you have an existing parking permit for your old vehicle, and it has full months remaining on it, then you should fill in an Application for a refund form(pdf, 59KB) and it with your permit to the Parking Shop, details on the Parking contacts page.

Replacement Permits

My permit is faded/has been damaged, can I get a replacement?

Yes. If your permit still has time to run then you can get a replacement.

This will be free of charge and you will need to surrender your old permit to The Parking Shop. Address details are available on the Parking contacts page. If applying by post then please allow 14 days for your replacement to arrive. If you go to The Parking Shop, then please expect a short delay.

You will need to park legally whilst your replacement is issued as you will still be liable to a Penalty Charge Notice if parking without a permit.

My permit has been lost/stolen, can I get a replacement?

Yes. If your permit still has time to run then you can get a replacement.

There will be an administration charge of £10 unless the permit was stolen and you have a police crime reference number.

Please complete a Declaration of Lost Permit form(pdf, 63KB) and return it to The Parking Shop. Address information is available on the Parking contacts page. If applying by post then please allow 14 days for your replacement to arrive. If you go to The Parking Shop, then please expect a short delay.

You will need to park legally whilst your replacement is issued as you will still be liable to a Penalty Charge Notice if parking without a permit.

The details on my permit are incorrect, what should I do?

You should take the permit into The Parking Shop (address information is on the Parking contacts page) along with the letter to which it was attached and staff will issue you with a corrected copy free of charge.

You will need to park legally whilst your replacement is issued as you will still be liable to a Penalty Charge Notice if parking without a permit.

I've been issued a permit for the incorrect band, what should I do?

You should notify the Parking Shop (address information is on the Parking contacts page) as soon as possible so that they can issue you with a correct permit.

Displaying a permit with a higher band is alright, but you will have been charged too much and are due for a refund of the difference.

Displaying a permit with a lower band than your vehicle actually is will invalidate the permit and mean that you may be liable for a Penalty Charge Notice if seen to be using it to validate parking.

Moving

I'm moving out of the zone, can I use the permit in the new zone?

No. When you move your permit immediately becomes invalid as it is issued to you at a specific address. If you don't surrender your permit and the next resident applies for a permit then yours will be cancelled and your vehicle may be liable for a Penalty Charge Notice if seen to be using it to validate parking.

You can get a refund on any full months remaining on your permit - see I'm moving out of the zone, can I get a refund.

Please note that you will need to park legally whilst your replacement is issued as you will still be liable to a Penalty Charge Notice if parking without a permit.

Visitors and Traders book permits are slightly different in that they are valid for either zone A1 and A2 only, or all other zones and so you may still use them if they are valid for your new zone.

I'm moving within the zone, can I still use my permit?

No. When you move your permit immediately becomes invalid as it is issued to you at a specific address. If you don't update your permit and the next resident applies for a permit then yours will be cancelled and your vehicle may be liable for a Penalty Charge Notice if seen to be using it to validate parking.

You will be able to transfer your existing permit to a new address, and should contact the Parking Shop (Address information is on the Parking contacts page) with proof of residency for your new address.

I'm moving out of the zone, can I get a refund?

Yes.  You will be able to get a refund on any full months remaining on your permit (part months will unfortunately not be refunded).  You will need to fill in a Application for Refund form(pdf, 59KB) and attach your permit to it. The form should be returned to The Parking Shop. Address details are on the Parking contacts page.

Please allow 28 days for the refund to be processed.  You will receive a cheque from the Council in the post.

Refunds

How are refund amounts calculated?

Refunds are calculated for each full month remaining on your permit as of the day when we receive your request for a refund. The amount you will receive per month is the 'standard' refund calculated as 7.5% of the equivalent 12 months permit cost, rounded up to the nearest 5 pence. Your refund will be made by cheque within 28 days of the receipt of your application to surrender the permit.

There are circumstances where you would receive a full refund on all remaining months (including the month you return your permit), but this would only be if you

  • Return your permit before its start date
  • Return your permit and purchase a new one on change of vehicle to another banded vehicle
  • Swap your permit with another member of your household to take advantage of the lower cost of having the highest banded vehicle as the 'first' permit
  • Change your permit to be the 'first' in your household on return of the previous 'first' permit.

Why is the 'standard' refund amount less than the "per month" amount that I paid?

We will take a percentage of the amount you paid to cover the administrative cost to process your refund.