Business parking permits

All our parking permits are virtual, so you can apply for and manage them online, and start using them as soon as they are approved.

What is a business parking permit?

Businesses located in the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in Bedford can apply for a business parking permit. Businesses must prove they have a genuine business need for the permit.

A business parking permit lasts for 12 months and can only start on the first of the month.

The permit entitles you to park for up to four hours in a parking bay in the CPZ, with no return within one hour of leaving the street.

A business can apply for a first permit and may also apply for additional permits, but each permit is valid for one vehicle only. The business must prove a genuine business need for a business parking permit.

You can change the vehicle on your business parking permit via your parking permit account, but you will need to provide evidence of ownership of the vehicle.

Proving a genuine business need for a parking permit

Businesses based within the CPZ can apply for a business parking permit, but they must prove they have a genuine business need for it.

A business parking permit is not for employees of the business to park whilst they attend their normal place of work. It is to enable the business to operate, for example, to visit clients in the CPZ.

Businesses must provide a statement explaining how the business parking permit will help with the operational needs of their business. The statement can be uploaded as evidence during the online application process.

The parking team will review your application to determine whether it is acceptable. Business parking permits are issued at the sole discretion of the Council.

Where you can / cannot park

The vehicle detailed on the business parking permit can park for up to four hours, within a marked pay-and-display or permit holder bay, anywhere in the CPZ.

A business parking permit holder cannot park in:

car parks (private or Council)
on yellow lines
on footways or verges
across an access
in taxi ranks
in disabled, suspended or loading bays

Can you change the vehicle on your permit?

You can change the vehicle on your business parking permit via your parking permit account, but you will need to provide evidence of ownership of the vehicle and a fee applies.

Business parking permit costs

If the Council agrees there is a genuine business need for the permit, the costs are:

Business parking permit	Cost
First business parking permit	£231.15
For each additional business parking permit	£321.05
To change the vehicle on a business parking permit	£5.40

Remember, all business parking permits are issued at the Council’s discretion and only if the business can prove a genuine business need.

The permit can only be used for the vehicle detailed in the permit application.

How long does it take to process the permit application?

Please make sure you leave plenty of time for your application to be processed.

We aim to review and approve / decline your application within 7 working days of the date you submit it, subject to the correct supporting documents being provided.

We will email you to let you know that the permit has been approved (or declined) and if approved, you will need to go to your account to pay for the permit.

As soon as you have paid, we will email you to confirm that the permit is live – there is no need to wait for us to send you a paper permit, all our permits are now virtual.

Please read the next section carefully and make sure you have your documents ready before you start your online application.

Apply online for a business parking permit

Step by step guide

1. Register for a business parking account

To apply for a business parking permit, you need to register for a business parking account or, if you already have one, login to your business parking account.

When you start the online application you will be prompted to either register or login. Once you are registered / logged in, you can proceed to the 'permit applications' section of the account to apply for your business parking permit.

To register for an account / apply online you will need an email address. Unfortunately, the parking permit system does not accept NTL world email addresses.

The online parking permit system is easy to use, but if you need help to complete the online forms and don't have family or friends who can help you, please contact us about a digital assistance appointment.

2. Check what documents / information you will need to provide

To apply for a business parking permit online, you will need to provide:

Proof of genuine business need for the parking permit

As proof of your genuine business need for a parking permit, we accept a letter on company headed paper, signed by the Company Director / your manager, explaining how this Business permit would benefit the operational needs of the business.

Proof of address

You need to provide one of the following as proof of address. The document must show the name of the business and the address for which the business parking permit applies:
Please provide either:
• National non-domestic rates (Business rates) bill (must be this year’s bill).
• Utility bill (water / electric / telephone or gas bill) which is less than three months old.

Proof of vehicle ownership

Please provide one of the following:
•    Vehicle registration document (V5C) in the name of the applicant or Business.
•    Insurance document showing the applicant as the main policy holder or named driver, showing that the vehicle is insured for business use.
•    Hire / lease agreement.
•    Garage bill of sale or cover note if the vehicle was purchased less than four weeks ago. The bill of sale must show your name and the address for which the permit applies.

An email address

To apply online you will need an email address.

If you also have a resident parking permit account with us, you will need to use a different email address for your business account.

Unfortunately, the parking permit system does not accept NTL world email addresses.

Document upload

You can upload documents when making your application online. We accept photos or scans of documents, providing the relevant information is clear.

3. Read the terms and conditions

You are entitled to apply for a business parking permit if:

Your business operates from an address within the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ).
The permit would benefit the operational needs of the business and would not be used for employee parking on-street.
The vehicle is either a passenger vehicle or a goods vehicle.

The Council reserves the right to impose conditions where vehicles park overnight.

You have the right to appeal in the event of the Council refusing your application for a Business Parking Permit.

Proof of the business address and vehicle ownership must be provided with your application.

Conditions of Use

The issue of a Business Permit is to assist in the operational needs of businesses based within the CPZ. It is not intended to provide all day on-street parking for employees of the business.
The permit allows the vehicle to park for up to 4 hours within a marked pay-and-display or permit holder bay in the CPZ. Vehicles are not permitted to return within one hour of leaving the street.
The permit does not allow parking on yellow lines, footways and verges, in car parks, taxi ranks, disabled bays or loading bays. If you park in these places you risk being issued with a Penalty Charge Notice. Currently the charge is up to £70 reduced to 50% if paid within 14 days.

4. Find out how we process your personal data

Find out how we process your personal data.

Apply for a business parking permit