Parking bays for specific users
Only park in a reserved bay if you are entitled to
Many bays are reserved for certain users. The sign beside the bay says who may use it and when, and outside those times the bay may be open to everyone. It is your responsibility to check that you are entitled to park there. The Highway Code says you must not park in spaces reserved for specific users, such as Blue Badge holders, residents or motorcycles, unless you are entitled to.
| Bay | Who may use it | Usual contravention codes |
|---|---|---|
| Residents' and permit bays | Holders of a valid permit for that zone, and in shared use bays anyone who pays | 12, 16, 19 |
| Disabled bays | Blue Badge holders displaying the badge correctly | 40 (on-street), 87 (car parks) |
| Loading bays | Vehicles loading or unloading during the times shown | 25 (on-street), 70 (car parks) |
| Electric vehicle charging bays | Electric vehicles that are charging, during the times shown | 14 (on-street), 71 (car parks) |
| Car club, motorcycle, doctors', ambulance and other bays | The vehicles or users named on the sign | 23 |
| Diplomatic and police bays | Diplomatic or police vehicles only | 41, 42 |
| Taxi ranks, bus stops and cycle docking stations | Taxis, buses and hire cycles only | 45, 47, 43 |
All of these are higher level contraventions except code 19 (an invalid permit or ticket, or paid time run out, in a residents' or shared use bay), which is lower. See the full list of contravention codes.
Permits
Many councils now issue virtual permits linked to your vehicle registration, so there is nothing to display: the civil enforcement officer checks the registration. Check that the permit is for the right vehicle, zone and dates. With a paper permit, display it so it can be read through the windscreen.
Disabled bays
On-street disabled bays made by a traffic order are enforced by the council: display your Blue Badge correctly, with the parking clock if the bay has a time limit. Some councils paint advisory disabled bays outside homes without a traffic order. These cannot be enforced by the council or the police, and any Blue Badge holder may use them. Disabled bays in private car parks, such as supermarkets, are subject to the car park owner's rules.
To challenge a penalty, see how to fight a permit or suspended bay penalty or how to fight a Blue Badge or disabled bay penalty.
Blue Badge holders may not use bays reserved for other users, such as residents' or loading bays, unless the signs allow it. See Blue Badge parking for where else badge holders can and cannot park.
Examples of parking bay signs.
Parking restricted to permit holders only
Parking space reserved for named vehicles
This page was checked against the law in England and Wales on 22 October 2026. It is general guidance, not legal advice: see the legal disclaimer.