Parent and child parking rules: everything you need to know

When you are looking to park in the UK, there are a variety of rules and some spaces are reserved for certain people or at a certain time of day.

This guide looks at everything you need to know before you get behind the wheel of your car.

Child and parent parking places typically refers to designated parking spaces in car parks, shopping centres, and entertainment or sports that have spaces reserved for parents or caregivers with young children.

They are usually located near the entrance of the building or venue they are a part of and are designed to make it easier for parents to access the building while carrying or supervising their kids.

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Aside from being close to the entrance, these spaces are often painted in a different colour (often yellow), and have wider area to park.

This is so it is easier to get prams and other items out of the vehicle easily for parents.

There will also likely be signage leading drivers to the spaces and to warn other drivers not to park on them.

These spaces are often parked in the safest areas of a car park, with lots of lighting and CCTV.

Finally, parent and child parking spaces are often designed to be more accessible, with ramps and wider paths for prams and to ensure children can clearly distinguish between where cars are driving and they can walk.

There is no uniform design for parent and child parking spaces, however there are some similarities.

In most cases, there will be an outline of a parent holding the hand of a child, or of a parent pushing a pram.

However, in some cases, it will just say ‘Parent Parking’ or ‘Family Parking’ – or something similar.

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It's important for drivers to use these spaces responsibly and only if they are accompanied by young children. Misusing these spaces can inconvenience parents who genuinely need them.

And in some cases, it can lead you to you receiving a fine.

There is no law or legal precedent for anyone parking in these spaces if you are not accompanied by a child.

However, in privately-owned car parks, you will likely receive a Parking Charge Notice (PCN).

What issues have you come across as a parent parking in ones of these spaces? Should more be made available in car parks around the UK? Leave your comments below.