Resident 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 resident parking permit?

If you live in a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in the borough, a resident parking permit will allow you to park in parking bays in the zone you live in.

A resident parking permit does not guarantee that you will be able to park outside your property or even in your street.

A resident parking permit is valid for one year from the date you apply for it.

You can buy up to three resident parking permits per household.

Permits are not required for motorcycles which may be parked free of charge in parking bays perpendicular to the kerb.

Who can apply for a resident parking permit?

To apply for a resident parking permit:

you must be a permanent resident at an address within a CPZ in Bedford Borough
you must own, keep and be the main user of the vehicle
the vehicle must not be more than 2.8 metres in height or 5.3 metres in length

If you don’t live in a CPZ, you do not need a parking permit. Check if you live in a CPZ.

CPZ residents who live in one of the buildings listed below cannot apply for a parking permit:

new developments of flats/apartments and houses constructed/adapted after 1 April 2008
single dwelling, flat/apartment or house of multiple occupancy that has been formed as part of a conversion of a building or part of a building after 12 August 2013

If you live in a flat/apartment and your address does not appear as an option when you try to apply via the parking permit system, this is probably because your live in one of these property types and you are unable to apply.

How do I apply for a resident parking permit?

You can apply for your parking permit online using the form below.

If you don't already have one, you will need to set up a resident parking permit account before you can apply for your parking permit.

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.

How many cars can I have on the permit?

You can have a maximum of one vehicle on each permit.

If you want another permit for a second or third vehicle that you, or someone else who lives with you owns, you can apply for a second or third permit.

How much do resident parking permits cost?

Vehicle	Cost
First vehicle	£29.20
Second vehicle	£85.25
Third vehicle	£109.75
Change to permit	£5.85

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 seven 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 out 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 for a resident parking permit online

Step by step guide

1. Register for / sign into your resident parking account

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

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

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

Proof of address

You need to provide one of the following as proof of address. The document you choose to provide must show your full name and the address the resident parking permit is for.

Council tax bill for the current tax year that is addressed to you at your property in Bedford Borough.
Tenancy agreement - we only need to see the page(s) that show the tenant names, property address, tenancy term dates and signatures.
Bank / credit card statement – must be less than three months old.
Utility bill – water/electric/gas/telephone – must be less than three months old.
Driving licence.

You will be allocated a resident parking permit for the CPZ zone you live in.

Proof that you are the registered keeper of the vehicle

You need to provide one of the following.

Vehicle registration certificate (V5C). The certificate must be in your name and must detail your name and the address in the CPZ. We only need to see the front and second page.
If the vehicle was purchased less than 4 weeks ago, we can accept either the insurance certificate, cover note or garage bill of sale (the bill of sale must show your name and the address in the CPZ).
Hire / lease agreement showing your name and address in the CPZ.
If the vehicle is a company car, a letter on company headed paper from your employer, confirming that it the vehicle is owned / leased by the company and that you are the sole keeper of the vehicle.

If you don't have your V5C

If you have recently moved home and have sent off your V5C to change the address, you can apply for a resident dispensation by emailing parkingcs@bedford.gov.uk, attaching your proof of address and providing your vehicle make and registration number.

Students only - proof of identity

If you are a student, you will also need to provide proof of identity. This can be either a student ID card or a letter from your University stating you are currently studying there.

An email address

To apply online you will need an email address.

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

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

A credit or debit card

Once we have approved your parking permit application, we will let you know by email, and you can then log into your account to pay for your permit using a credit or debit card.

Uploading documents

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

Name on your documents

Please make sure the name on the documents you provide is the same as the name in your application – it they don’t match we won’t be able to approve your application.

3. Read the terms and conditions for a resident parking permit

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

You live in the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), except for residents of new developments of flats / apartments and houses constructed / adapted after 1 April 2008, or residents of a single dwelling, flat /apartment or house of multiple occupancy that has been formed as a result of a conversion of a building or part of a building after 12th August 2013.
You regularly live and sleep at the premises.
You own, keep and are the main user of a vehicle.
The vehicle does not exceed 2.8 metres in height or 5.3 metres in length.

You must provide proof of residence and vehicle ownership.

The Council reserves the right to request further proof of residence or vehicle ownership if necessary.

Conditions of Use:

The resident parking permit allows the vehicle to park within the lines of a marked bay in the zone indicated on the application, free of time limits and charges.
When parking in a zone other than the zone applied for, you may need to pay the relevant parking charge.
Time limits and charges for on-street parking bays are operational Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm. When parking, please check the time limits for the chosen bay which are always displayed on the adjacent signs.
The permit does not allow parking on yellow lines, footways and verges, taxi ranks, in car parks, disabled bays or loading bays, or in any 15-minute time restricted bay. 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.
Permits are valid for 12 months and will commence on the day the application is processed.

If you are the vehicle owner or hirer, the vehicle registration document (V5C), or hire agreement, must detail your name and address for which the permit applies. If your name and address do not match the details on the V5C, you will be asked to submit a copy of the updated V5C which may delay the processing of your permit.

It is an offence not to inform the DVLA when there is a change to the name and/or address of the registered keeper of the vehicle.

4. Find out how we process your personal data

Find out how we process your personal data.

Apply for a resident parking permit