Government urging local councils to sign up to National Parking Platform
Consumer Editor
The Government wants more local councils in England to use the National Parking Platform (NPP).
Launched in May 2025, the NPP is a not-for-profit, open platform that connects multiple parking service providers to thousands of locations nationwide.
Instead of asking drivers to download another app, it integrates the ones they already use, making parking simple, seamless, and consistent everywhere.
Currently, 15 local authorities have signed up for the NPP with the RAC understanding more are due to join shortly. MPs are also considering a move to impose statutory guidance to accelerate sign-ups by local councils.
Statutory guidance is official Government advice that councils are expected to follow. The aim is to double the number of councils participating in the NPP.
- Parking space sizes – how are they changing in the UK?
- Where can you park?
- New pavement parking rules announced by DfT
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Paying to park a car should be one of the simplest tasks any driver does, but with a plethora of different mobile parking payment apps now in existence things have got a little more complicated.
“The roll-out of National Parking Platform has the potential to change that, giving drivers the chance to use a single app of their choice.
“We now need as many operators as possible to join the scheme to make parking easier for everyone."
In fact, a RAC survey from 2025 13% of the 1700 people involved said that they could not work out how to use a parking app – highlighting the importance of a universal platform going forward.Further results from the survey showed that almost three-quarters of UK drivers (73%) who have used a mobile app to pay for parking in the last 12 months experienced difficulties doing so, with most preferring the reliability that comes from using bank cards or cash.
Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
- Claim a voucher for an extra 3 months FREE with selected cover†
- We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
- Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). †Added after your first 12 months on new Extra and Complete cover. Voucher will be sent via email within 40 days, requires activation. Ends 01/04/26, 10am.
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). †Added after your first 12 months on new Extra and Complete cover. Voucher will be sent via email within 40 days, requires activation. Ends 01/04/26, 10am.
You might also like
Parking guide: where you can and can't park
To avoid a parking nightmare and the fines that go along with it, read our simple guide to where you can and can't park.
Parking on the pavement - is it illegal? The definitive answer
Parking on the pavement is not illegal outside of London and Scotland. You can, however, still get a fine for doing so in some instances. Learn more here.
How to guide - bay parking for your driving test
Daunted by the prospect of a busy car park or squeezing in next to other cars? Here’s our ultimate guide to forward and reverse bay parking. Read more here.
Parent and child parking rules: everything you need to know
If you are planning on taking a road trip with the family, then there may be some places where you can park in ‘parent and child’ parking spaces in the UK.
How to appeal a Parking Charge Notice (PCN)
This guide provides you with vital information and tips on how to avoid a PCN and how to stop it from escalating. Read our latest driving advice guide here.
Popular in News
1
EV car batteries last longer than expected, according to new study
2
Vehicle breakdowns where poor roads were to blame rose 15% last year
3
Vaping in cars with children could be banned
4
Graduated driving licences set to be introduced in Northern Ireland
5
Quarter of drivers say they’ve suffered vehicle crime
6
More than 2,500 motorists caught drink-driving three or more times in the last 11 years
7
Government extends home EV charger grant to 2027
8
Four-in-five drivers concerned about dazzling headlights as darker evenings arrive
9
Council pothole claims rise by 90% in three years
10