Virtual Permits - Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a virtual parking permit?

• A virtual permit is an electronic paperless record which removes the need to display a paper permit in your vehicle. Once a permit is approved it is activated and linked to your vehicle making it quick and easy, you will receive confirmation of your valid permit but will not need to display anything in your vehicle.

2. Why did we bring in virtual parking permits?

• The virtual permit scheme saves residents the inconvenience of waiting for paper permits to arrive through the post. It will give residents more control and flexibility to manage their permits online 24 hours a day seven days a week.

3. How do I purchase a virtual parking permit or visitor voucher?

• All permit applications can be made on our permit section, you will be able to set up an account and submit your permit application from your account, this includes visitor permits.

4. I do not have access to a computer, how can I apply?

• If you do not have access to the internet, perhaps a family member or friend can help? or 
• The Parking Team can offer advice or assistance over the telephone during normal hours. For further support, please call 01727 866100.
• In addition to these options, 'Computer Friendly St Albans' provides free and low-cost support and training on Laptops, Android Tablets & Phones and Apple iPad & iPhones at drop-in sessions. They also offer courses from beginner to advance on eBay, Facebook, Family History, Microsoft Office and much more. For further support, you can call 01727 617359 (Mon, Weds, Fri 10am - 1pm. Answerphone at other times) or contact them by email if you have access to an email account at courses@computerfriendlystalbans.org.uk

5. How will enforcement work?

• Your virtual permit details will be displayed on a Civil Enforcement Officer’s (CEO’s) hand-held device. This device will be able to scan the number plate of your vehicle to check if it is permitted to park, the details are normally updated instantly.

6. What if my visitors need to park in the Permit Parking Place or Controlled Parking Zone?

• Your visitors will also need to have a virtual permit. However, this will be a visitor virtual parking permit. As the resident, you would need to purchase visitor permits using your online permit account. These are sold in sessions of 10 but you will only need 1 session per visitor per day, a session can be activated on their arrival on your permit account. You can also set up the start of the session time for your visitor’s arrival in advance.

7. Can my household have more than one Residents Parking Permit?

• Our permit parking zones have a limit to the number of residents permits a household can have, in most cases they will be limited to either two or three permits per household. Your account will display the number of permits your household is entitled to or check property eligibility.

8. How much do Residents Parking Permits cost?

• The New Residents Parking Permits scheme is based on your vehicles' emission. Please visit this link to find out your CO2 emission rate - https://carfueldata.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/ or see your vehicles V5 certificate. The cost of the permits is available on this page under the FAQ's section and permit costs.

9. How much do Visitor’s Permits cost?

• Virtual visitor Permits are valid all day and sold in sessions of 10 at £22.50 for the 10 sessions.
• Paper Scratch card Visitor Vouchers, a book of scratch cards is £30 and includes an admin fee to cover the additional cost of the scratch card, administration, and secure postage.  Our impact assessments identified certain groups within the community which should be exempt from this charge (those more likely to be digitally excluded), this includes those over 70, people registered blind and people with a severe mental impairment.  We will continue to monitor feedback regarding charges and if necessary, will review theses exemptions.         

10. How long is my Resident Parking Permit valid for?

• Permits are usually valid for 12 months from the date purchased.

11. How long is a Visitor Permit valid for?

• Each visitor permit is valid for one day only and does not carry over to the following day.

12. When does enforcement take place?

• Our parking enforcement officers routinely patrol from 07:00 to 22:00, 7 days per week. However, we reserve the right to enforce at any time outside these hours if necessary.

13. If I, or my visitors do not have a permit will I get a fine?

• you may get a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for not having a valid permit in a resident or permit parking bay. The penalty for not displaying a permit is £70, this is reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days, More information can be found on our Penalty Charge Notice section.

14. What if I want to appeal against my parking fine?

• You can complete the appeal form on our website or follow the QR code on the back of your Penalty Charge Notice ticket: 

15. What if I have just moved into a property?

• If you have just moved into a property, we will accept other documents with your application. If you submit the evidence below, your permit will be issued for a one-month period.
• If you have purchased your property: a properly documented letter of completion from your Solicitors*; or
• If you are renting a property, an acceptable Tenancy Agreement dated and signed by both landlord and renter/tenant; and
• Car registration documents (V5c registration certificate). Your vehicle registration documents will need to be changed by the next renewal of your permit or in case of any further replacements).

16. What if I am renting a property?

• Permits are only issued to the registered council taxpayer or listed occupier/s for a property, if you are renting a property, you should still be eligible for a permit if you can provide the proof of your tenancy agreement. If the Council taxpayer is not the occupier a permit cannot be issued.

17. What if I change my car?

• You can log onto your account online and update your vehicle details. The change will be made instantly.

18. What if I move home?

• If you are moving within the same Zone, you will be able to update and switch your permit. However, if you are moving to a different zone you will need to cancel the permit and apply for a new permit at your new address.

19. What if I have a large vehicle? Can I still get a permit?

• In some cases, permits can only be issued to a vehicle up to 5.25 metres in length and no higher than 2.28 metres in height. If a permit is issued and the vehicle is found to exceed these specifications, the permit will be withdrawn, and a refund will not apply.

20. Does a motorcycle or moped need a permit?

• Yes, the cost is £26.00 for 12 months.

21. What proof do I need to upload?

• Proof that you are the registered owner or keeper of the vehicle e.g., registration certificate (DVLA - V5c) or if you have a hire or lease car the hiring or leasing agreement, this must show the address for which the permit is required. If you have a company car, see ‘what if I have a company car’ below.
• Proof that you live at the address, we can check the council tax register if you cannot provide the most recent Council Tax bill. However, providing the most recent bill will help process your application quicker.
• Payment by debit or credit card.

22. What if I have a company vehicle?

• a letter signed by your employer’s company secretary or someone of equivalent authority, confirming the car’s registration and that you are the sole user of the vehicle.
• If you own the company, a letter from your accountant on the accountant’s headed paper.
• the vehicle’s DVLA V5c car registration certificate or lease agreement.

23. What if I, or a member of my family or my visitors have a blue badge?

• Permit parking zones allow Blue Badge Holders unlimited parking if the badge is displayed correctly showing the relevant expiry information. However, residents or members of their household who have a Blue Badge are entitled to a free annual residents parking permit but, the blue badge must only be displayed in the vehicle nominated as the free permit.
• Visitors with a Blue Badge can use it as they would with any street parking bay and can park with their Blue Badge displayed (a permit is not required for Blue Badge Holders who display a valid Blue Disabled Persons Badge subject to the blue badge booklet rules and terms and conditions.

24. How do I report vehicles parking illegally including parking without a permit?

• These should all be reported to the Parking Enforcement Hotline - 01727 845283 or via email illegalparking@stalbans.gov.uk. There will be no visible indication as to whether a vehicle is in possession of a virtual permit or not. Our Civil Enforcement Officers will be able to identify non-compliant vehicles and appropriate enforcement action will be taken as a result.

25. Can I apply for the permit on my mobile device?

• Yes. The new system is designed to work with most mobile devices and is safe to use on your mobile device or laptop.

26. What if I do not know the registration of my visitor’s vehicle?

• The vehicle registration number must be entered into the system for the virtual visitor permit to be valid, you can activate your visitors permit upon their arrival, they should be able to provide you with their vehicle details.

27. What happens to my old paper Visitors Parking Permits (scratch cards)?

• If you have scratch card visitor vouchers left over, or purchase new scratch cards, these will be valid as before and can be used in the normal way. Please note, they must be used as described on the permit and displayed in the vehicle so that the permit can be seen by a Civil Enforcement Officer.

  Exemption of Administration fee for Visitor scratch cards;

If you fall under one of the following categories, you will not be charged the administration fee and the cost of a book of 10 permits (scratch cards) will be £22.50.

• You are aged 70 or over (we will require proof of age)
• You are registered with Council Tax as exempt, due to a severe mental impairment.
• You are registered as blind (please provide your certificate of vision impairment (CVI))

28. Can I book Visitors Parking sessions in advance?

• Yes, you can. You just need to set up your account and buy visitors' permits. After you have made a purchase, you can activate a visitor permit and chose when it starts from and for what vehicle.

29. Can I request a refund?

• If you no longer require your virtual permit, you may apply for a refund. Please visit your online account and select the option cancel permit. An administration fee of £13.20 will be deducted per virtual permit cancelled. Refunds are calculated on how many full calendar months remain on your virtual permit. No refunds will be given where the amount owing is the same as or less than the administration fee. No refunds will be given for Visitors' Parking Permits after 31^st March 2024.

30. Can I have more than 1 vehicle on my permit?

• The Council is reviewing this option and will be unable to issue a permit with more than one vehicle whilst this review is undertaken. 

The Council issues the following permits as a virtual alternative to paper

• Resident's parking permit
• Visitor parking permit
• Senior Citizen Council car park permit
• Parking suspension permit
• Business permit
• All-zone Traders or work permit
• Healthcare worker or carer parking permits
• Car park permit (season ticket)

For details including eligibility, cost and terms and conditions, see Parking Roads and Transport