The hours when Meter bays and Pay & Display bays are enforced on weekdays are from 8.30am until 6.30pm(with the exception of coach bays). After this time, it is free to park until 8.30am the following morning.
On Saturdays, there are different controls in place depending on the zone you are in. You should check the meter or Pay & Display machine very carefully when you park to find out if you have to pay. You can check the hours of control for each zone here.
Meters are always located within the bay for which they take payment.
Always make sure you are back at your vehicle before the meter reads 'P 0.03'. The three minutes is an allowance we give as we recognise that your watch and the parking attendant's will vary. It is not a grace period and you should always aim to move your vehicle before the meter goes into penalty.
You are not permitted to park on an out of order meter.
If you are a disabled blue badge holder, you should be aware that the guidelines differ in Westminster and you are not eligible for free parking on meters or in Pay & Display bays. You must pay for parking, but will receive one additional hour of free parking once your paid for time has expired. Visit our disabled section for further details.
You can park and Pay by Phone in some parts of Westminster if you don't have any coins.
Yellow Lines
Single and Double yellow lines carry the same restriction, but double yellow lines are enforced 24 hours a day.
Some yellow lines are accompanied by kerb markings and timeplates. If you see these, this means that there is an exception to the usual hours of control. You should read the timeplate very carefully to find out whether you are permitted to park or carry out loading/unloading activity.
Other
Only buses, bicycles and taxis may drive through Oxford Street from 7am to 7pm or as indicated on the entry sign.
You may not park within bus lanes, even if permitted to enter.
Parking is not permitted on central reservations or footways, or within pedestrian areas.
Vehicles may not wait to pick up passengers. Chauffeurs may not wait outside hotels, clubs etc and may receive a Penalty Charge Notice if they do so.
Picking up and setting down of passengers within a bus stop is prohibited, unless driving a bus.
New stickers show when suspensions are now longer required.
Suspensions may not be used for parking - we do not suspend areas for this purpose. However, they may be suspended for loading and unloading purposes.
