Apply for or renew a parking permit

Most of our permits are digital which means that you will not have to display anything in your vehicle. Our enforcement officers use the vehicle registration to check you are allowed to park. Visitor scratch cards will continue to be valid and will be posted in the usual way.

How to apply

A range of permits is available for residents, visitors and businesses. Please check what proofs are required for each type of permit.

You can apply for your permits online. You will need to create an account and must have an e-mail address to do so. You will be required to upload your proof of address and vehicle before a permit can be issued.

If you do not have an e-mail address to create an account, please contact the permit team on 0118 937 3767 (Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm) and they will be able to post out an application form.

Permits last for 12 months.

New residents

You can apply for two residents permits per household. Apply for residents permits online.

Proof of residence

You will only need one proof of residency showing your name and address, dated within last 4 months:

  • bank statement
  • credit card bill/store card statement
  • gas/electricity/telephone bill (mobile bills excluded)
  • current Council Tax bill

Proof of ownership of the vehicle

If you own the vehicle, provide one proof of vehicle ownership which must show your name, address and vehicle registration. This can be a current insurance document or a DVLA registration document (V5C).

If you are not the owner of the vehicle you will need to provide both the following documents:

  • a letter from your employer on headed paper or a copy of the lease, showing your name, address and vehicle registration
  • a current insurance document to show you are insured to use the vehicle

If you do not have the necessary proofs as set out here, you can apply for a temporary permit while we process your application.

Visitor parking permits

You can apply for two free visitor permit books a year – and buy a further five. Apply for visitor permits online. You may first need to use the ‘Forgotten your password‘ link to reset your password.

Please allow up to 7 days for a visitors physical scratch card permit to be issued. Zone 02R visitor permits are digital. Find out how digital visitor permits work.

Tradesperson and landlord parking permits

Apply for tradesperson daily and landlord daily permits online. You may first need to use the ‘Forgotten your password‘ link to reset your password.

Discretionary permits

If you apply for a discretionary permit, this is the guidance that Council Officers use when deciding an application. The more detailed your reasons for applying, the more information the Council can use to decide your application. Please remember each case is dealt with on its own merits.

Discretionary applications can take up to 28 days to be reviewed.

Renewals

When your permit is ready to be renewed, you will receive an email and will need to log into your account to renew it. A guide to renew a permit.

From 1 November 2023, most permits will be digital. This means that you will not receive anything to display in your vehicle. Allow a minimum of 7 days for delivery of any physical permits that are ordered.

Enquiries

Our full permit terms and conditions are available here.

Contact residents.parking@reading.gov.uk for any further information.

Last updated on 14/03/2024