Permit scheme changing to virtual permits

Conversion to virtual permits

From Saturday 1 April 2023, our resident permit scheme has become digital, or 'virtual'. This means that for new applications, renewals, replacements and changes from this date, we have been issuing only virtual resident permits and no longer issue physical, paper resident permits. 

The only difference this will make to you will be that upon issue of a new, renewal or replacement permit, you will no longer be issued with a paper resident permit to display in your vehicle.

Instead, your new permit is issued digitally and our Marshals are able to distinguish whether your vehicle has a valid permit from the database held on their handheld devices. You still receive confirmation of the issue of your new permit. 

No other elements of our resident permit scheme are currently changing in this regard:

• You are still able to apply for and renew your permit in the same way as you have been
• the permit criteria and applicable proofs have not changed
• we still issue expiry and renewal reminders to you in advance of your permit’s expiry date.

Changes you might need to make to any permit details can still be made in the same way too. 

You are currently still able to register two vehicles on your virtual resident permit. Both will be issued with a virtual permit; however, it remains the case that only one of the vehicles should be parked on-street using the permit at any given time during controlled hours, as the permit’s basic terms and conditions in this regard will continue to apply.  

Any valid paper permits in use are still recognised on-street and accepted up to their expiry date, so you will still see paper permits displayed in vehicles up to early May 2024 when the last of the paper permits will expire. 

We have chosen to do this to enable us to provide a better customer service whereby permits are available and usable instantly. It also increases efficiencies, minimizes the potential for permit fraud and helps reduce our carbon footprint. 

Many of our existing permit types are already virtual, for example trades permits, motorcycle permits, yellow line dispensations and so on. Virtual permits are also commonplace in many other London boroughs, such as in our neighbours Brent, Camden and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. 

Virtual permits, frequently asked questions

What is the change? 

From 1 April 2023, most of the Council’s permit schemes will become virtual. This means that for new applications, renewals and replacements from this date, we will begin issuing only virtual permits and will no longer be issuing physical, paper permits. 

What is a virtual permit? 

A virtual permit is a digital, electronic permit. Unlike with a traditional paper permit, with a virtual permit there is nothing to physically display. A Parking Marshal is able to tell which vehicles hold a valid permit via the information that is displayed on their handheld devices. 

When is the change happening? 

From Saturday 1 April 2023. 

What permit types does this affect? 

This affects most parking permit types except hospital permits and disabled badges: national blue and Westminster white. They will remain paper-based permits to display.  

Why is the change happening? 

The Council has chosen to do this to enable us to provide a better customer service whereby permits are available and usable instantly. It will also increase efficiencies, minimize the potential for permit fraud and help reduce our Carbon footprint. 

What difference will it make to me? 

If you apply for a new permit, renew an existing permit, replace an existing permit, make a temporary change to an existing permit or amend an existing permit’s details from 1 April 2023, your new permit will be a virtual permit and not a physical, paper permit. 

Can I still have two vehicles on the one permit? 

Where a permit scheme’s terms and conditions allow two vehicles on the same permit, for example a resident permit, doctor’s permit, and so on, this will still be possible. Both vehicles will be issued with a virtual permit; however, it remains the case that only one of the vehicles should be parked on-street using the permit at any given time during controlled hours, as the permit’s basic terms and conditions in this regard will continue to apply. 

Will there be a change in permit prices? 

No, all current permit and permit admin prices will continue to apply. All our parking-related charges can be viewed online.

Will there be any changes to the permit’s terms & conditions? 

No, beyond the need to physically display a permit in the vehicle’s windscreen which will no longer apply. 

How will I know if a vehicle parked on-street is in possession of a permit? 

There will be no visible indication as to whether a vehicle is in possession of a virtual permit or not. Our Marshals will be able to identify non-compliant vehicles and appropriate enforcement action will be taken as a result. 

How will a Marshal know which vehicles have permits? 

Our Marshals can identify which vehicles have valid permits via the information displayed on their handheld devices. The process already requires Marshals to validate enforcement against our electronic records, so the removal of the paper permits will not affect Marshals’ ability to ensure the fair use of our parking bays. 

Does this happen elsewhere? 

Virtual permits are commonplace in many other London boroughs, such as in our neighbours Brent, Camden and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Also, many of our existing permit types are already virtual, for example trades permits, motorcycle permits, single yellow line dispensations, and so on.

Do I still need to display my paper permit from 1 April? 

Although this is not essential if you are in possession of a valid permit of a type that is converting to virtual, you can continue to display your paper permit for as long as it remains valid. For those permit types remaining paper-based (disabled badges and hospital permits), these should continue to be clearly displayed at all times whilst parked. 

How will this affect parking on boundary streets where reciprocal parking arrangements exist with neighbouring boroughs? 

We operate reciprocal parking arrangements on boundary streets with our neighbours the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and the London Boroughs of Camden and Brent.

We will work closely with our neighbours to ensure that Penalty Charges Notices (PCNs) are not issued to Westminster permit holders when parked in reciprocal streets. However, should you receive a PCN on a reciprocal street where your permit should allow you to park, please challenge your PCN with the relevant borough, including proof that you held a valid Westminster resident permit at that time. How to submit a challenge will be indicated on the PCN itself.