Jack and Jill School Street exemptions
Since this School Street was introduced in October 2020, the number of fines for vehicles entering without an exemption has fallen significantly. We hope you’ve noticed the street becoming safer, cleaner, and a more pleasant space for residents, businesses, and children.
Updates to the process
We’re making changes to improve the exemption process and keep it simple. These updates also ensure we meet GDPR requirements. Each exemption will now have a clear expiry date: 1 day, Short term, or Annual. This helps us keep the database accurate and manageable.
The rules and enforcement of the scheme remain the same, but existing exemption holders must reapply using the new online form below. The form is straightforward, but if you have any questions, please contact the School Streets team at schoolstreets@richmond.gov.uk.
Annual exemption holders will receive an email when it’s time to renew. If you don’t have email, we’ll notify you by post.
Once your exemption is approved, you’ll get a separate confirmation email.
Who can apply
Accepted applicants include:
- Residents and businesses
- Blue Badge holders – visiting a property in the School Street
- Medical and healthcare professionals or carers – visiting a property in the School Street
- AFC or SEN transport – visiting a property in the School Street
- Pre-approved by school or nursery – only if an exemption letter is signed by the school or nursery
- Pre-approved by exemption team – only if advised by the council’s exemption team
- Other - Private taxi hire, emergency utility call outs, service providers, builders
Proof and eligibility
When applying for an exemption, you must provide documents to show that you are eligible. Without valid proof, your application cannot be processed. Below is a list of accepted documents per category.
You can upload scanned images or photos taken on your phone or camera. You may add extra documents if needed to cover all required details. Please make sure all information is visible and legible to avoid delays.
It is an offence to drive during restricted times without a valid exemption permit. It is your responsibility to ensure all details are correct.
Residents and businesses
You must provide a document that confirms your vehicle registration number, your name, and the address selected on the exemption form.
Accepted documents include:
- Vehicle ownership (V5C)
- Current motor insurance document
- Lease or hire agreement
- Company letter
Blue Badge holders
Upload a photo or scan of a valid Blue Badge card showing both the front and back.
Medical and healthcare professionals or carers
You must provide one of the following:
- Carers - a letter or email from a resident confirming the need for a carer and the date exemption is required (no personal details needed)
- Medical or healthcare professionals - a letter from your manager or workplace confirming your name, vehicle registration, and reason for exemption (e.g. duty of care in the community)
AFC or SEN transport
Staff ID badges will not be accepted. Documents must confirm:
- Route number for SEN transport
- Letter or email from the council requesting transport (ensure personal data is redacted)
Pre-approved by school or nursery
Staff ID badges will not be accepted. Upload an exemption letter from the school confirming:
- Applicant's name
- Vehicle registration number
- Reason for the exemption
- Date exemption is required
Pre-approved by exemption team
Staff ID badges will not be accepted. Upload a letter confirming:
- Applicant's name
- Team / Department
- Vehicle registration number
- Reason for the exemption
- Date exemption is required
Others: Private taxi hire, emergency utility call outs or service providers, builders
Upload a document confirming your reason for entry, for example:
- Letter, email or contract from resident confirming the reason for the exemption and date exemption is required
- Taxi, builder or delivery - a copy of the job or delivery schedule confirming the School Streets address and date exemption is required
Apply for an exemption
Only eligible postal addresses will be visible on the form.
To register your vehicle for an exemption, you must complete the online form at least two working days in advance of entering the School Streets exemption zone (excluding weekend and bank holidays). It is important that you do not travel through the restriction point while your application is being processed.
To request the exemption to start before two working days, please email schoolstreets@richmond.gov.uk and include all relevant details as outlined on the School Street Exemption page and ensure you receive our approval before driving through the restriction point.
Exemption Period
The exemption scheme offers three options to suit different needs. Review the details below carefully before submitting your application to ensure you select the correct period.
- 1 day – you must enter a date at least two working days in advance
- Short term – start date must be at least two working days in advance, and the end date cannot be more than two months from the start date
- Annual – apply at least two working days before you need access. The expiry date will be calculated from the date your application is submitted
Automatic exemptions
The following vehicles accessing School Streets will be automatically exempt:
- Emergency vehicles
- Council waste trucks
- Taxis (Hackney carriages only)
After you apply
Your vehicle will not be exempt until your application is approved. It can take up to two working days to process your application (excluding weekends and bank holidays).
You will receive a separate email confirmation once the exemption has been activated. Please check your spam or junk folders.
Once approved, exemption permits will be valid for the duration of the permit type applied for (e.g. 1 day, Short term, or Annual).
Annual exemption reminder
You will receive a renewal reminder via email four weeks before your exemption is due to expire, along with instructions on how to re-apply.
You will need to notify us if you change your contact details or you may not receive the reminder email to renew your vehicle exemption, which could result in your Annual exemption expiring and a Penalty Charge Notice being issued.
If your circumstances change
If your circumstances change after receiving an exemption, it’s important to update your details promptly. This ensures your permit remains valid and helps avoid penalties.
To notify us of a change in contact details
If your contact details change whilst you hold an Annual permit, you must notify us of your new contact details so that we can update our records.
Failure to do so may result in you not receiving your renewal reminder and you may be issued a PCN as a result.
To update your contact details, email schoolstreets@richmond.gov.uk and include the following information:
- Applicants name
- Vehicle registration number
- New contact details
- School Street location
Replace an existing vehicle registration
If you have changed your vehicle registration, you must amend your exemption accordingly by making an application, as you would for a new vehicle, to be added to the exemption list.
When you add the new vehicle registration, you will be asked if this application is to replace a vehicle you have previously registered for exemption. Enter the registration to be removed in the relevant text box and continue to complete the form, submitting at the end.
Remove a vehicle
If your vehicle no longer requires an exemption to access the School Street and you do not wish to replace it with another vehicle, email schoolstreets@richmond.gov.uk and include:
- Details of the vehicle registration number to be removed from the exemption list
- The School Street for which you no longer require an exemption
Renew your Annual exemption permit
Complete the online form to renew your Annual exemption before the expiry date. Exemption activation takes two working days (excluding weekends and bank holidays), provided all documentation and information on the form is accurate.
Failure to renew on time will result in automatic expiry of the vehicle exemption and you may be issued a PCN as a result.
To renew your exemption permit, follow the steps below:
- Complete the online exemption form
- Ensure that the documentation you upload to prove exemption eligibility is current and clearly visible. Failure to provide valid documentation may result in suspension or cancellation of your permit
- Once your application is submitted, please allow up to two working days for processing. Kindly note that your vehicle will not be exempt until your application is approved. You will receive a separate email confirmation once the exemption has been activated
Updated: 23 March 2026