Frequently Asked Questions for Resident and Visitor permits

Questions for before, and during, the application process:
 

Who needs to apply?
Is my property eligible?

Why is my property not eligible?

How do I apply for a permit? 

Can I apply before moving into the property?

What documents do I need?

I am having difficulty uploading my supporting documents

How do I make payment? 

What are the allowances and costs?

Questions for after payment is made and for permit use:

Why have I not received my permit?

What if I lose my permit? 

What if I change my vehicle Registration? 

What happens when my permit is due to expire? 

What if I’m moving house?

What if I no longer need my permit? 

What do I do if I have a temporary courtesy vehicle?

What if I have more than one visitor at a time?

Where can I park if my street is full?

Examples of signage in a permit parking area 

Permit Misuse – Explanation and Reporting 

Who needs to apply?

If you live in a property that is within a parking permit area, you may need to apply for a permit. 

Resident Permits

If you live in a property that is within a parking permit area and you park your vehicle(s) on the road during the hours of parking restrictions, you will require a Residents Parking Permit. This includes all vehicles that have a Vehicle Registration Mark (a number plate). The permit(s) will display the relevant vehicle registration number and is not transferable to other vehicles, people or addresses. 

Visitor Permits

If you live in a property that is within a parking permit area and have people visiting you, who will be parking their vehicle on the road during the hours of parking restrictions, then you will need to apply for a Visitor Parking Permit or alternatively, Parking Scratchcards. 

Visitor permits are for legitimate visitors to the registered property and cannot be used by residents, or for a visitor to go to a different house. They should only be used for the duration of the visit to the registered property and the permit should be kept in the property by the resident and handed out when needed.

Resident and Visitor permits can be applied for together, and all information on how to apply is detailed on the relevant pages.

When applying, we will need to establish that the person named on the application for the permit lives at the eligible address and can provide document(s) that link them to the property (and the vehicle if applying for a resident permit). The application may be delayed or rejected if the correct documents are not supplied. A list of accepted documents can be seen here.

Is my property eligible? 

A list of eligible, and most common ineligible, properties can be found here.

Why is my property not eligible?

Occasionally, we have to reject applications as the address of the applicant is not included within the eligible properties (as above).

Before a scheme is implemented, a Traffic Engineer consults with the residents to agree which addresses should be included.

There can also be new developments that were built after the scheme was brought in, where the planning approval for the building includes that residents will not be eligible to apply for a permit as there are not enough available parking spaces in the permit area to cope with any additional demand.  This is called a Section 106 agreement and we cannot act against the planning agreement by issuing permits.

We also get queries from some developments on the edge of permit zones, as there may be no available parking around their property.  Again, unless your address is on the list of eligible properties we cannot issue a permit for your address.

How do I apply for a permit?

If you do not already have an account with the council, you will need to create an account to submit your application online. Please see our guide on how to create an account.  

Please see our guides on how to submit a resident permit application or how to submit a supplementary scratchcard application on the new Newcastle City Council portal.

New applications should be submitted online or by post. Applying online allows us to process your application much sooner than if you apply by post, however you can print and complete an application form here if required (pdf, 130kb).

Please apply up to 14 days before the permit is needed, if possible, in case of a peak period of applications.

• Apply online by clicking here, ensuring that you have attached the relevant documents (listed above) to support your application. Please use PDF or Word format where possible. 
  If you need to send in additional documentation, you can do so by emailing the documents to parkingpermits@newcastle.gov.uk and quoting the reference number (starting PS) which is provided at the time of applying. 
  
  
• The address supplied on the application MUST be the address of the property in the permit zone which you need a permit for, and it must match the address on the proof of residency document. Do not include any other address as this will delay your application.
  
  
• If you are applying in advance of moving into a property, for example prior to a purchase completion date or a tenant with a future tenancy agreement, then the permit will be posted to the property applied for, a couple of days before the permit start date. 

We will assess your application and inform you of the outcome via email. If your application is approved, the email will contain a link to make online payment. When making your payment you can enter your email address and a receipt for payment can be emailed to you to print. This can then be displayed on the dashboard as a temporary parking permit for a maximum of 14 days (ensuring the payment date and reference number is visible), whilst your permit is produced and posted to the address you applied for.

Please check your junk/spam folders and contact us directly at parkingpermits@newcastle.gov.uk (quoting your reference number starting PS) if you have not heard from us within 14 days.

If you are wanting to renew a current permit, please click here and follow the instructions.

Can I apply before moving into the property?

Residents who are moving into a property can submit an application in advance, as soon as they have proof of residency.  It is a legal requirement that the permit is only posted to the address it is registered to, so the permit will not be posted to any current/other address. 

The application can be submitted in advance of the move so that the permit will be posted to the property address a couple of days before it’s starting date (regardless of when payment was made), as it is only valid from the day of occupancy.

What documents do I need?

The documents required will differ depending on the permit type you are applying for. 

For Resident applications, you will need to supply Proof of Residency and Proof of Vehicle. For visitor and scratchcard applications, you will need to supply Proof of Residency only. 

Accepted proof of Residency*

• A Council Tax statement for the current financial year (showing your name, the property address and the date)
• A Tenancy Agreement – (MUST show the property address, names of all the tenants and the start/end date of the tenancy)
• A Utility bill dated within the last 3 months (showing your name, the property address and the date)
• A Deposit Protection Scheme Letter for rented accommodation (showing the property address, names of all the tenants and the start/end date of the tenancy) 
• A Completion Statement or email from a solicitor (showing the property address, your name and the date of completion)
• A valid, in-date Parking Permit which is in your name and registered to the address you are applying for (cannot be expired)
  
  *Financial Information on any documents can be redacted
  
  

Accepted proof of Vehicle 

• A Vehicle Registration document (V5C/logbook) – (Provide the front page, which must be in your name and show the vehicle registration)
• A Vehicle Insurance Certificate (must show you as a main/named driver and the vehicle registration)
• A copy of the Lease/Hire Agreement to link you to the vehicle (must show your name and the vehicle registration)
• If the vehicle is a company vehicle, please provide:
  • The Vehicle V5C or lease hire agreement (showing the name of the company and the vehicle registration)
    and
  • A Pay slip or most recent P60 year-end slip showing your link to the company (payslips must be within the last 3 months and financial information can be redacted)
• If you have access to multiple work vehicles, we can issue a “Pool” vehicle permit. We would need:
  • A Pay slip or most recent P60 year-end slip showing your link to the company (Payslips must be within the last 3 months and financial information can be redacted)
    and
  • Three V5C documents for the multiple vehicles you have access to (showing the company’s name and vehicle registrations) or a letter from your employer explaining that you regularly take home different vehicles (on letter headed paper)
• A previous Resident Parking Permit which is in your name and registered to the vehicle registration you are applying for. 
  
  

I am having difficulty uploading my supporting documents.

If your file size exceeds the online limit, or you are needing to send in more than one resident or vehicle proof, please email the documents directly to us at parkingpermits@newcastle.gov.uk, quoting your name, the address applied for and your reference number (starting PS) which is provided at the time of applying. We can then link these to your application so they are already available when it is processed.

How do I make payment?

Do not make payment with your application. 

If your application for a parking permit has been approved and you have received an offer for a parking permit, or would like to renew your existing parking permit, payment can be made below.

• Access the following website - Pay for a Resident Parking Permit    
• For Resident and Visitor permits, scroll down to Parking-Resident Parking Permits  
• For Supplementary Scratchcards, scroll to Parking-Supplementary Scratchcards  

What are the Allowances and Costs?

There is a capped limit of two Resident permits and one Visitor permit per eligible property.  Each property can apply for up to 60 residential supplementary scratchcards in a rolling year period. 

Costs

• The first resident's permit costs £25.00 per annum and the second costs £75.00 per annum (unless it is a low emission vehicle – see below). 
• The visitor permit is £25.00
• Scratchcards cost £2.00 for a full day scratchcard and £1.00 for a half day scratchcard. Both types can be ordered in multiples of 5, 10 or 20. 
  
  

Costs for Low Emission Vehicles (Resident Permits only)

You will be entitled to money off the price of your permit if you have a light passenger vehicle that has a low CO2 emission figure, that qualifies the vehicle for a reduced rate of annual vehicle excise duty.  Vehicles registered after 1st March 2001 with emissions of up to 120 g/km will qualify. 

• If it’s a low emission vehicle and the first permit at the property - £12.50 (instead of £25.00)
• If it’s a low emission vehicle and the second permit at the property (but the first permit is not low emissions) - £62.50 (instead of £75.00)
• If it’s the second permit at the property and both vehicles are low emissions - £37.50 (instead of £75.00) 

Fully electric vehicles (not hybrids) will be entitled to a free permit. 

Why have I not received my permit? 

Resident and Visitor Permits permits are sent via Royal Mail 1^st class and are posted to the permit address in time for the start date of the permit.  (It is a legal requirement that the permit is only posted to the address it is registered to – it will not be posted to any other address).

However, if you have supplied a tenancy agreement as proof of residency, or have requested a future starting date, your permit will be sent to the property 1/2 days prior to the tenancy/permit commencement date (regardless of when payment was made).

If you have made a renewal of an existing permit or paid for Supplementary Scratchcards, you should receive it/them in the post within seven days of payment. 

If you do not receive your permit(s) within any of the described time frames above, please contact Parking Services via email at parkingpermits@newcastle.gov.uk or call 0191 2772728 (Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 3.30pm).

What if I lose my permit? 

If you have lost your permit, or it has been stolen, you will need to apply for a replacement and pay an administrative charge of £10.00. 

Once we receive your application, we will assess it and provide a link for payment via email. Upon receipt of payment, a replacement permit will be posted out to the address. When making your payment you can enter your email address and a receipt for payment can be emailed to you to print. This can then be displayed on the dashboard as a temporary parking permit for a maximum of 14 days (ensuring the payment date and reference number is visible), whilst your permit is produced and posted to the address you applied for.

Apply online for a replacement permit by clicking here. 

What if I change my vehicle Registration? 

The resident permit with your old vehicle registration number will not be valid for your new vehicle (unless you have retained the same number plate), so should be posted back to Newcastle Parking Services, P.O. Box 2BL, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE99 2BL.

• The permit holder will need to complete an online form to amend the vehicle registration and provide a copy of the vehicle documentation with the application. Please ensure the applicant’s name and the new vehicle registration are visible on the document (V5/logbook, vehicle insurance, lease agreement) and submit in Word or PDF where possible.
  
  Your application cannot be processed, and will be delayed, without correct supporting documentation
• There is an administration charge of £10.00 for amending the vehicle registration details on a parking permit. A link will be sent via email to make the payment, once the application form has been processed and supporting documents for the new vehicle are received. 
  
  When making your payment you can enter your email address and a receipt for payment can be emailed to you to print. This can then be displayed on the dashboard as a temporary parking permit for a maximum of 14 days (ensuring the payment date and reference number is visible), whilst your permit is produced and posted to the address you applied for.
  
  
• Apply online for a change of vehicle registration by clicking here.

What happens when my permit is due to expire? 

4 weeks before the permit is due to expire a letter will be issued to you reminding you of the expiry date and providing all the required details for renewal. You do not need to submit a new application form, as we have already established your eligibility for a permit previously.

If you have not received a permit renewal reminder letter within this timescale, have misplaced it, or are wanting to renew a permit that is expired by more than 14 days, please contact us on 0191 2772728 (Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 3.30pm) or email us at parkingpermits@newcastle.gov.uk, so we can check case records and take a payment over the telephone or email you details to make an online payment.  If you are sending an email, please quote your address and permit reference number (if known).

What if I’m moving house?

Permits are not transferable between people or addresses so if you move house, you must return the permit to Newcastle Parking Services, P.O. Box 2BL, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE99 2BL. We will calculate if you are eligible for a partial refund and email you to inform you of such. 

If your new house is part of a permit scheme (you can check here), then you will need to apply for a new permit at the new address and can do this here.

Where a removal van is loading or unloading from/to a property, within a permit zone, a permit is not required if there is continuous loading or unloading.   If the vehicle is to be parked in the permit area for any period of time during the restricted hours and loading/unloading is not continually taking place, a Visitor Permit or Supplementary Scratchcards would be required. 

If you require specific bays outside, or near, the property to be reserved in order that your removal vehicle can park there, a parking reservation is recommended.  Information regarding reservations can be found here.

If the removal vehicle needs to be parked directly outside your house and you have No Waiting restrictions (double/single yellow lines), then please apply for a dispensation here. 

What if I no longer need my permit? 

If your situation changes and you no longer require your resident or visitor permit at the address it is registered to, you must return to Newcastle Parking Services. Under the terms of The City of Newcastle upon Tyne (On Street Parking Places) Order 2009 you will qualify for a refund if the permit has in excess of 6 months unused on the date the permit is returned. You will receive 50% of the permit fee paid minus a £10 administration fee.

The permit is not transferable to other users or for the permit holder at a new address, so continued use would be classified as misuse leading to the revocation of the permit and the possible issue of Penalty Charge Notices. 

Scratchcards are not transferable between people or addresses.

Please be aware that full books of unused scratchcards returned to Newcastle Parking Services within 14 days of issue, will be subject to a full refund of the price paid.  After this 14 day period, unused scratch cards cannot be transferred or be subject to a refund. 

What do I do if I have a temporary Courtesy vehicle?

If your vehicle has been involved in an accident and you have been provided with a temporary courtesy vehicle, please contact our offices on 0191 277 2728 between the hours of (Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 3.30pm) for advice.

What if I have more than one visitor at a time?

If you are expecting to have more than one visitor at your property, at a time when permit restrictions are in place, you will need to apply for supplementary scratchcards. These are a book of ‘one time use’ permits available on a half/full day basis and more information can be found here. 

Where can I park if my street is full?

Your permit will include a reference (such as J1) to the permit zone that your address falls within.  If there are no available permit spaces on your street, the permit can be used in the permit bays within any other street within the same permit zone. Details of the streets within your zone can be found here.

Examples of signage in a permit parking area

In large permit zones, signs are placed at the entrance to the zone to inform motorists they are entering an area where a permit is required to park during the times indicated on the signage (or at all times if no time bands are stated). 

Signs will also indicate where a permit zone ends.

In other areas, signage is placed at regular intervals adjacent to parking bays to confirm the restriction in place in the area. There can be a mixture of bays within a permit scheme to cater for different motorist needs – such as loading bays; disabled bays or maximum stay bays, so please check the signage to ensure your vehicle has an exemption to park in a particular bay. Examples of varying signage is below.

Permit Misuse – Explanation and Reporting

Misuse of a permit can lead to revocation of the permit and the issue of Penalty Charge Notices so that we can maintain the integrity of the permit scheme and provide visitors with an exemption from the permit scheme parking restrictions.

Reports of misuse of permits by residents/commuters can be made to the Parking Enforcement team by telephone to 0191 2772739. This phone line is usually staffed Monday to Sunday between 8.00am and 6.00pm or a Voicemail message can be left for the Parking Enforcement Supervisors.