Frequently asked questions about vehicle banding

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.

• When does the new pricing come into effect?
• When can I apply for a permit at the new prices?
• How do I know which band my vehicle is in?
• How do I find out my engine cylinder capacity or CO2 emissions?
• How are the new permit prices calculated?
• How much will I be charged for second and subsequent permits?
• I don't have a Vehicle Registration Document, what should I do?
• I have an MoT certificate, can I use this to prove emissions?
• What happens if I can't prove which band my vehicle falls into?
• If I dispute the band of my vehicle, what will the Council do?
• If my vehicle is converted to use LPG (liquified petroleum gas), then what band will it be in?
• Does the 50% discount for Environmentally Friendly vehicles still apply?
• The holder of the first permit has moved out of our household, can I change my permit to be the first?
• We have two permits and want to swap so that the highest banded vehicle has the first permit, can we do this?
• The permit for our highest banded vehicle in our household expires after the lower banded vehicle, can we wait for the 'first' permit?
• Do pre-April 2007 permits count as 'first' permits?
• Can I exchange my pre-April 2007 issued permit for a new one?
• Will the scheme affect Section 106 agreements?
• Is the Council still going to offer discounts for liveried business vehicles?
• Can my business get a 'transferable' permit to use on any vehicle?
• Will businesses be charged higher rates for second and subsequent permits?
• If I return my business permit, how much refund will I receive?

When does the new pricing come into effect?

The Council will be charging the new prices starting from Monday 2nd April 2007.

When can I apply for a permit at the new prices?

The application forms and other documents you will need to apply are available from the time the new pricing comes into effect.

From the 2nd April 2007 you are able to download the forms from this website, or get paper copies from The Parking Shop at 96 Holly Road, Twickenham TW1 4HF.

If you would like to receive the forms by post, please call The Parking Shop on 020 8744 2131.

How do I know which band my vehicle is in?

See the Vehicle banding for parking permits explained page for full details on how vehicles are banded by the Council for pricing.

How do I find out my engine cylinder capacity or CO2 emissions?

These will be detailed on your Vheicle Registration Document (V5) issued by the DVLA.

Alternatively you can go to the DVLA website at www.vehiclelicence.gov.uk and then type in your vehicle registration number and make.

You can also find the details for your make and model of vehicle at www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk.

How are the new permit prices calculated?

The new permit prices are calculated as a percentage decrease or increase of the prices charged before 2nd April 2007, depending on the band a vehicle falls into, i.e. the lower the band, the more the decrease; the higher the band the more the increase..  See the Vehicle banding for parking permits explained page for more information.

How much will I be charged for second and subsequent permits?

Second and subsequent permits issued to a household will be charged at 25% more than the first permit until 31st March 2008.

From 1st April 2008 second and subsequent permits will be charged at 50% more than the first permit.

I don't have a Vehicle Registration Document, what should I do?

If you have simply misplaced your Vehicle Registration Document then you should contact the DVLA for a replacement.

If you cannot get a Vehicle Registration Document as the vehicle is leased then you should provide a copy of the lease agreement.  Staff at The Parking Shop will then determine the vehicle band from the vehicle registration, make and model.

Should it not be possible to identify the vehicle band then you will be charged based on the taxation class of the vehicle.

I have a CO2 exhaust emissions certificate, can I use this to prove emissions?

No.  The Council uses your vehicles engine emissions as the basis for charging.  These emissions will be determined by the vehicle manufacturer and will be on the Vehicle Registration Document, or in the vehicle specifications.

The CO2 emissions certificate (e.g. MoT certificate) details the exhaust emissions which are much less than the engine emissions and are not relevant for permit charging.

What happens if I can't prove which band my vehicle falls into?

You will still be able to obtain a permit, but the Parking Shop will use your vehicles taxation class (as defined by the DVLA) as a basis for your permit cost. If you are later able to prove your vehicle band, then you can return your permit and obtain a correct one and you will be refunded the difference in full.

The refund will be made by cheque posted to you within 28 days of the receipt of your application.

If I dispute the banding of my vehicle, what will the Council do?

Where there is not a clear distinction of the vehicle banding, we will refer to the DVLA taxation class i.e. vehicle excise duty. Where this is not possible we will assume that the vehicle will be in band F unless we believe your vehicle should be in band G.

If my vehicle is converted to use LPG (liquified petroleum gas), then what band will it be in?

You will be able to get a permit for one band lower than the one your vehicle would have been in before it was converted, i.e. at the time of manufacture.  Vehicles manufactured to run on LPG will not be eligible for any reduction as the manufacturers emissions rating will include LPG.

Does the 50% discount for Environmentally Friendly vehicles still apply?

No. All permits are now priced based on either the CO2 emissions or engine capacity.

The holder of the first permit has moved out of our household, can I change my permit to be the first?

Yes, but you will need to provide details of the previous first permit holder and return both permits to us.

You will need to complete an Application for a refund form(pdf, 38KB) for each permit, and then apply for a new permit for your vehicle.

Both permits will be refunded any months remaining in full (including the month you submit your application for a refund), and you will need to purchase a new permit to start the month you return your old permit.

Cheques for the refunds on returned permits will be posted within 28 days of the receipt of the application. You will not be able to use any of the refund amount towards your new permit.

We have two permits and want to swap so that the highest banded vehicle has the first permit, can we do this?

Yes but you will need to return both permits and provide evidence that the holder of the first permit agrees to the swap.

You will both need to fill in an Application for a refund form(pdf, 38KB), and will be refunded any months remaining in full (including the month you submit your application for a refund).  You will then both need to purchase new permits to start the month your return your old permits.

Cheques for the refunds on returned permits will then be posted within 28 days of the receipt of the application.  You will not be able to use any of the refund amount towards your new permits.

The permit for our highest banded vehicle in our household expires after the lower banded vehicle, can we wait for the 'first' permit?

Yes. You will need to make it clear on your application that this is what you want to do as otherwise staff at The Parking Shop will return your form, assuming that an error has been made.

Do pre-April 2007 permits count as 'first' permits?

No. The introduction of 'first' and 'subsequent' permits only applies to permits purchased after 2nd April 2007.

Can I exchange my pre-April 2007 issued permit for a new one?

Yes you may. You will be refunded at the 'standard' refund rate on all full remaining months on your current permit.

The refund will be made by cheque and sent to you within 28 days of the receipt of your application.  You will not be able to use any of the refund amount towards your new permit.

Will the scheme affect Section 106 agreements?

No because your property will still be excluded from applying for resident parking permits.  You may still purchase resident visitor permits.

Is the Council still going to offer discounts for liveried business vehicles?

No as all permit prices are now to be based on emissions or engine cylinder capacity.

Can my business get a 'transferable' permit to use on any vehicle?

Yes but you will need to state on your application the maximum vehicle band for which the permit is to be used and you will be charged accordingly.

If the vehicle displaying the permit is of a higher band than has been declared, then the vehicle will be liable for a penalty charge notice for having no valid permit.

If you can verify that the permit is in fact correct for your vehicle – by producing a relevant document detailing the engine cylinder capacity or emissions – then we will cancel the penalty charge notice.

Will businesses be charged higher rates for second and subsequent permits?

Yes. All resident, business, doctors, operational, carer and teachers permits are subject to the higher prices for second and subsequent permits.

If I return my business permit, how much refund will I receive?

You will be refunded in full for each day between when you return your permit and when it is due to expire.  We will deduct from this sum an administration fee of £10.

Your refund will then be in the form of a cheque, posted to you within 28 days of the date of receipt of your application.