Here are some frequently asked questions about parking permits. Click on a question to see the answer.
A virtual parking permit is an electronic record assigned to your vehicle which is used to confirm that you have a valid parking permit rather than having to display a paper parking permit.
For residential permits our new virtual permit system is capable of automatic checks to validate your application enabling instant approval and a virtual permit being applied to your vehicle on the same day.
Virtual permits remove the need for permits to be printed and posted to you ensuring you get the most from your permit.
Any changes you need to make to your permit will no longer require a new paper permit to be printed and posted to you as changes will be made immediately to your virtual permit.
You should only apply for a virtual parking permit when your existing paper permit is due to expire.
You can apply for a virtual permit 30 days before your paper permit is due to expire.
If your paper permit is still in date, please continue to display and use it until it's expiry date.
When it's time to renew your permit you should create an account and apply for a virtual permit.
The virtual parking permit portal will automatically know which zone you live in based on the postcode that you provide.
To see which streets a permit allows you to park on please check the Permit Street List:
Before you apply for a permit you must create an account
For help creating an account please watch our help video.
You can apply for a permit on our parking permit portal
For help creating an account please watch our help video.
A virtual permit will be valid from the date of payment and will be ready to use the same day or from the day you requested the permit to start from as part of your application.
If you have created a permit account you should receive an email to verify your details.
If you have not received this email after 5 minutes please contact us and we will resend it.
There is no difference in cost between paper and virtual permits.
Permit costs differ depending on the length and type of permit.
Find out more about permit costs on our parking permit page.
If you have a paper permit you should continue to display it until it expires. Once you have a virtual permit you do not need to display anything as virtual permits will be identified through the vehicle’s registration.
Please watch our information videos for help applying for a virtual parking permit. If you need further help please contact us.
Residents and businesses can buy permits valid for 3, 6, or 12 months.
Contractors can buy permits valid for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months.
Car park permits are valid for one month.
If you have accidentally declined your offer of a permit you will need to reapply for the permit.
You are responsible for applying for a new permit before your old permit expires. You can renew a virtual permit up to 30 days before or 10 days after the expiry date. If it is more than 10 days since your virtual permit expired you will need to apply for a new permit.
If your permit expires, you MUST pay for parking using cashless parking or a parking meter otherwise you may receive a penalty charge notice (PCN).
You can renew your virtual parking permit online if your address and vehicle details are the same as they were when you applied for your last virtual permit. If any of your details have changed, you will need to apply for a new virtual permit.
You can renew your virtual permit by logging into your permit account online and clicking the “renew” button next to the current permit you would like to renew.
Information about relevant documents depends on your permit type.
Applications are normally declined due to incorrect or insufficient evidence being supplied.
You can check if any uploaded documents have been declined by logging into your permit account online and clicking “My Permit Applications”, then select the “3 dots” button on the relevant application and then click on the “Proofs” tab.
Information about acceptable documents depends on your permit type and can be found in the links below.
Find out more about residential permit proof documents.
Find out more about business permit proof documents.
If you are still unsure on why your application was declined, please use our contact us page.
You can cancel your virtual permit by logging into your online permit account and navigating to the MY PERMITS section. Click on the 3 dots beside the permit you want to cancel and select 'request cancellation' and follow the instructions given.
There is a £10 administration charge for cancellations.
You can request a change to your fixed vehicle by logging in your permit account and clicking the pencil icon next to your vehicle registration currently assigned to your permit.
Fixed permits are restricted to one change per year online. If you required further changes then you must contact us.
Flexible permits can be moved from one vehicle to another, such as a visitor’s vehicle, or a vehicle that belongs to someone who is working at your house, like a cleaner, carer or nanny.
To apply for a flexible permit you should register for a resident account and select flexible permit. When you apply for a flexible permit you must provide at least one vehicle registration. This registration will be attached to your flexible permit after purchase, but should be changed when your next visitor needs to use it. The system will remember 5 vehicles allowing you to easily switch between your regular vehicles.
If you live in zones A to G you can only apply for a fixed permit.
You can change the vehicle assigned to your flexible permit using your online permit account. You can make this change prior to your visitor arriving, any changes are updated immediately and will show our City Wardens that the permit is valid.
To switch vehicles on a flexible permit you must log into your account and switch vehicles. Or you can contact us Mon - Fri, 8am - 8pm, Saturday 8am - 6pm and Sunday 1 - 5pm.
There is no limit on how many times you can switch vehicles applied to your flexible permit.
If you have a fixed permit but you need to use a courtesy vehicle, you can apply for a virtual courtesy vehicle permit. This permit will be valid for 21 days. If you need a virtual courtesy permit for more than 21 days you can apply for another, however you can only apply for two virtual courtesy permits per year.
If you require a third courtesy permit within the same year you should contact us.
If you have a flexible permit you should use that for your vehicle if possible.
Apply for a courtesy vehicle permit
If you have lost or damaged your paper permit, you will be moved on to the virtual system. To do this you should:
If you are unable to register for an account you can call us and arrange an in-person appointment.
If you move house or changed your business address you should update your address on your online account and cancel your current permit.
Once you have cancelled your permit you can apply for a new one using your new address.
Only one vehicle can be active on a permit at any one time.
We will revoke your permit if you misuse your parking permit including if you:
It is an offence under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for a person to knowingly make a false statement to obtain a permit for himself or another; to lend or allow to be used, with intent to deceive, a permit for use by another person; to counterfeit or forge a permit; to aid, abet, counsel, procure or incite another to commit such an offence. Aberdeen City Council may conduct such investigations as it considers necessary to prevent or detect fraud and misuse of parking permits.
Yes. You will be able to buy virtual vouchers through your online account. When you have a visitor, you can log into your account and start a parking session using one of your vouchers.
Please note, vouchers are only valid for the 12 months from the date of purchase. Virtual vouchers are not available for residents living in Foresterhill or Garthdee.
£6.05 each for a day parking.
You can buy 15 vouchers to use in a 12 month period.
Your visitors can use a voucher to park near your home.
If you live in student accommodation, you are not eligible to apply for a parking permit.