National parking app gets green light

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Thu, 29 May 2025

Car parking is set to get simpler with the government giving the green light to a single app that will cover multiple parking operators.

The ‘national parking platform’ (known as NPP within the industry) will be developed and run by the British Parking Association with the support of the government.

A consortium of leading parking platforms including Ring Go, JustPark and PayByPhone will also be involved in development. The government will maintain oversight and monitor the parking sector’s compliance.

The new national parking platform follows government-backed trials into a ‘one app fits all’ car park app.

The idea, says the government, is to "enable drivers to pay for parking in all participating car parks on their preferred app – ending the scramble to download multiple apps."

It works by connecting participating car parks to a shared platform, through which drivers can pay using any approved parking app.

The trial app has already been rolled out in 10 local authorities and is currently handling half a million transactions a month. It is now hoped that, following the new collaboration with the government, it can be quickly rolled out nationally.

Ministers hope that as well as reducing the chance of fines, the new national parking app will also open up the parking market to fairer competition.

British Parking Association chief executive Andrew Pester said the announcement "marks the result of six years of dedicated work by our parking sector to make paying for parking easier."

"We’re thrilled with this outcome and excited to collaborate with the Department for Transport and the new NPP company to create a better parking experience.

The new consortium will be onboarding more local authorities imminently to ensure that easier, simpler parking is rolled out to more drivers as soon as possible," he added.

Ask HJ

Can I sue over a penalty charge notice?

I have received a penalty notice but did not park in their car park. They claim I parked between 7.35am to 4.45pm. I did park between 6.50am and 7.30 on a public highway adjoining the car park. I then went home and returned at 16.45 but didn't park in the car park or the highway. I merely tunned around in the splayed area in front of the carpark which forms part of the public highway and is not part of the car park. The photos they have provided just show the front of my car they do not show me parked up in their car park. I would like to sue them in the small claims court because the charge notice has been issued dishonestly, recklessly and without justification. Can I do this?

In brief, there is a process you need to follow in order to get the ticket overturned. Firstly you need to follow the appeals process which should be explained on the penalty notice. Include any evidence you have to back your claim that you did not use the car park. If this is unsuccessful you have the option to take your appeal to a tribunal. However it is important to follow the correct process for the type of ticket you have - PCNs are issued by local authorities, whereas car parks run by private companies are not allowed to call them Penalty Charge Notices. You can read our guide to challenging a parking ticket here - https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/advice/driving-advice/parking-ticket-appeals/

Answered by David Ross

More Questions