Using your visitor parking permit scratchcards (guide)

Guidance to help you once you receive your visitor parking permit scratchcards.

Apply

• Apply for a visitor scratchcard parking permit

How to validate

When you receive your scratchcard booklet, each scratchcard will need to be validated at the time of use.

This is done by scratching out one of each of the following:

• Date
• Month
• Period - as described on the card

Enter details

• Enter vehicle registration number (see item 4 below)

Changes to issuing arrangements

From Monday 10 May 2021, changes were made to the issuing arrangements of visitor parking permits.

Parking time period

A period is the amount of time which your scratchcard is valid for. In CPZs other than A1 or A2 the permits are issued in green books. Periods run between the following times:

• 8am to 2.30pm
• 12.30pm to midnight

You can only choose one time period per scratchcard. If you wish for park for longer than a single period, you will need to display multiple scratchcards in your vehicle.

Scratching off more than one time period per scratchcard will make it invalid.

• Check zone operation times

Please note

• Not all zones operate during the times shown on the scratchcards. We advise you to check the operation times of the zone/s you wish to park in
• One permit, correctly validated, would be required for one full day’s parking in a CPZ that operates for two to four hours
• Two permits would be required for zones operating for more than four hours a day

Example 1

Waldegrave Gardens (between Tower Road and Waldegrave Road) operates from 10.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.

For one full day's parking, you need to display one permit and scratch off from 8am to 2.30pm.

Example 2

The Kingsway CPZ operates from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

Two scratchcards validated for the am and pm periods cover all day, including the evening.

For one full day's parking, you need to display two permits; one from 8am to 2.30pm scratched off and the other from 12.30pm to midnight scratched off.

For an afternoon and evening's parking, display one ticket and scratch off only the 12.30pm to midnight.

Richmond A1 and A2 zones

Specific scratchcards are available for Zones A1 and A2 only. These are issued in blue books.

Periods run between the following times:

• From 8am to 2.30pm
• From 12.30pm to midnight
• All day Sunday/bank holiday
• You can only choose one time period per scratchcard. If you wish for park for longer than a single period, you will need to display multiple scratchcards in your vehicle 
• Scratching off more than one time period per scratchcard will make it invalid

Note: Blue permits are only valid in A1 or A2 Controlled Parking Zones. Green permits are valid in all CPZs but not within the A1 and A2 CPZs

Enter details

It is your responsibility to write the vehicle registration number, clearly in ink, within the relevant box on the scratchcard when validating it for use.  The permit will be invalid without the vehicle registration number being written on it.  Only one vehicle registration number can be included on each scratch card.

Note: There is a Zone box on the scratchcard. This can be left blank currently. It will be prepopulated with your specific CPZ designation when changes are made to the scheme in the future.

How to display

Fold the flap at the top of the card(s) over the nearside window and close the window completely. Alternatively the card(s) can be displayed face up on the vehicle's nearside dashboard, so that the details are visible.

If the vehicle is to park for more than one session, then multiple validated scratch cards may be displayed side by side so that all details are visible from outside the vehicle.

Cards validated incorrectly, displayed face down or not visible from outside the vehicle may result in the issue of a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) to the vehicle.

Your allowance

You can apply for up to 12 booklets (each containing 10 scratchcards), within any 12 month period. The 12 month period starts from when you buy your first book(s). You can apply for up to six books in your first purchase.

If you need more than the 12 book allowance, contact us and give us your reasons and the number of books required. Your request will be considered against the parking availability in your area.

Check your balance

You can contact us to check how many scratch cards you can buy for the rest of your 12 month period.

Traders/builders

If you need to book a parking session for traders who are carrying out work on your property, visit trader parking permits. This will not affect your household allowance.

Change of address

You must let us know if you change address. Failure to do so may result in the new householders being ineligible for a visitor parking permit scratchcards.

Refunds

You can apply for a refund for any unused visitor parking permit scratchcards. Refunds will be made according to the payment method used at the time of purchase. To cover administration costs you will receive half of the sale price of each returned scratchcard.

Refund amounts are as follows:

• Zones A1 and A2 - £1.20 refund for every card sold at £2.40
• Zones A1 and A2 over 60's - 60p refund for every card sold at £1.20
• All other zones - 60p refund for every card sold at £1.20
• All other zones over 60's - 30p refund for every card sold at 60p

To apply for a refund you must complete and return our parking permit refund form(pdf, 33KB) along with any unused scratchcards.