Frequently Asked Questions


I need my residents permit today, can I apply online?

Yes! If you are applying for a residents permit and your application is successful, your vehicle will instantly be covered by an e–permit.

Why do customers need accounts?

Having an online permit account makes life much easier for our customers. Customers will be able to have 24hr access to their permit account, giving them the flexibility to:

I have forgotten my account password

Not to worry...If you have forgotten your password, please select I have forgotten my password on the main account sign in page

Enter the email address you registered your account with and we will send you an email with a link to create a new password.

Why do you need my email address?

Providing us with your email address, really helps us keep you in the loop. For example, we can send you reminders when your permits are about to expire and provide you with updates about your permit account. Please note: Although we try to send reminders to all our customers the responsibility still lies with the customer to ensure they have a valid permit at all times.

Why do you carry out electronic checks?

Electronic checks are used to confirm customer's eligibility for a permit. The electronic identity check matches the details you give us with information held by other service providers, such as the electoral role, banks, mobile phone operators and utility companies to name a few.

When a number of accurate matches are made, the electronic identity check is considered successful and your application is approved.

I've not passed the electronic checks...why?

If there are limited (or no) matching information, or inconsistencies in the matched information, the electronic identity check will fail. There are several reasons why an applicant might fail the identity check:

Your website tells me that my address is not in a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)

We use the address details to verify whether your property falls into a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ). Very occasionally the information we hold against a property may be incorrect. If you believe that your address does fall within a CPZ, please tell us when prompted as part of the application process. We will try to investigate this as quickly as we can and will contact you by email with our results.

Your website tells me that my address is in an area where I can not have a permit

Often when new buildings are built in Lambeth there are restrictions imposed on the property. These restrictions limit the amount of parking permits we are able to give out.

Some properties have no allowance for parking, whereas some properties are restricted to a maximum of one or two permits.

If you believe that your address is not subject to a permit restriction, please tell us when prompted as part of the application process. We will try to investigate this as quickly as we can and will contact you by email with our results.

Why can I only purchase 50 visitor vouchers (in a 12 month period?)

There is a limit on the number of visitor vouchers made available to residents. We do this to manage the number of vehicles in our streets. You make a claim for more permits if you believe there are special circumstances which are mean you require more. Fill in the box to tell us when prompted in the application.

Can I report that my permit has been stolen online?

Yes you can. Log into your online account and follow the steps.

Can I apply for a permit for my foreign registered vehicle?

Yes, although you will only be able to apply for a permit for a maximum duration of six month. When you apply, you will need to upload the relevant pages of your vehicle log book for us to process your application.

All applications for a foreign registered vehicle are charged at permit price band 4.

Will I get an instant permit?

E–permit holders – Yes, your permit is virtual and is live once payment is made.

Paper permit holders – You will be able to print off a temporary permit, which you will need to display on your vehicle windscreen until your full permit arrives in the post.

Please note: temporary permits are only valid for 2 weeks.

Visitor / traders vouchers – These will be sent out to you by recorded post. Please allow up to 10–14 working days to receive your order.

What if I don't have a printer?

If you have purchased a residents permit you need not worry as your permit is an e–permit and does not require printing.

Business, Teachers, Doctors and Disabled permit holders will need to print off temporary permits.

In the absence of a printer we advise you:

Permit holders can renew their permits up to 1 month in advance. To avoid any potential printing issues, please renew your permit in good time to allow your permit to arrive before your existing permit expires.

I've been asked to upload documents to my online account. How can I do this?

There are a few ways you can upload documents to your account:

How long will I wait for my permit to be posted to me?

E–permit holders – Your permit is an e–permit this will not be sent in the post.

If you have applied for a Business, Doctors or Teachers permit, we recommend that you allow 10–14 days for your permit to arrive in the post.

What if my permit hasn't arrived?

Log into your online account and you will be able to see what status the permit is at and whether it has been posted to you. If status shows as posted and 7 days have passed from dispatch date, please contact us to obtain your royal mail tracking reference number, as all permits are sent by recorded post.

Can I apply for a permit refund online?

Yes you can.

E–permit holders – Please cancel via your online permit account. Once cancelled, a refund will be generated and payment will be made back onto the card used to purchase your permit within 7–10 working days.

Paper permit holders – Please cancel via your online permit account. Once cancelled, you will need to return your paper permit to us. Please return your permit by recorded post to:

London Borough of Lambeth, Parking Service, PO BOX 734, Winchester, SO23 5DG.

Once your paper permit is returned and received will we begin to process your refund request.

I have changed my address since my last application, can I apply online?

Yes, changes to your online permit account can be made on line.

Can I change my vehicle online?

Yes. If you have an e-permit your account will be updated once your new vehicle details have been verified. Changes to your vehicle can incur additional costs if your new vehicle falls in a higher price band.

If you have been issued with a paper permit, you will be prompted to send us back your original permit and make a brand new application for your new vehicle.

What payment types are accepted?

Lambeth accepts most major bank debit and credit cards.

If you would like to pay by cheque or cash, you will need to visit one of our customer centres or post in your application.

My vehicle registration number is correct but the vehicle details displayed are incorrect?

All the information provided about your vehicle comes from the DVLA. You will need to contact them directly to get these details amended.

https://www.gov.uk/change-vehicle-details-registration-certificate

Emissions Charges

Lambeth encourages permit holders to utilise less polluting engines. Vehicles with high emissions will be subjected to higher permit charges. Your vehicle's CO2 (g/km) can be found at section V7 under vehicle details on your V5/C (vehicle registration document). Likewise Cylinder Capacity (CC) (engine size) can be found at section P1 on your V5/C.

Emissions (CO2 g/km)/Engine size (CC) charging rules

Petrol/diesel (heavy oil) and bio-diesel - If your vehicle was registered before 1st of March 2001 then the band that your vehicle falls into will be determined by engine size i.e. the CC.

Petrol/diesel (heavy oil) and bio-diesel - If your vehicle was registered after 1st of March 2001 then the band that your vehicle falls into will be determined by emissions i.e. CO2.

Alternative fuels including hybrids - If your vehicle was registered before 1st of March 2001 then the bands that your vehicle falls into will be determined by engine size. Due to the fact that it is considered to be cleaner than its petrol/diesel equivalents it will fall discounted to one band lower e.g. a vehicle with a CC greater than 3000 would fall into band 5 rather than band 6.

Alternative fuels including hybrids - If your vehicle was registered after 1st of March 2001 then the band that your vehicle falls into will be determined by emissions i.e. CO2.

Electric cars (not hybrids) - If your vehicle was registered before 1st of March 2001 then the bands that your vehicle falls into will be determined by engine size. Due to the fact that it is considered to be cleaner than its petrol/diesel equivalents it will fall discounted to one band lower e.g. a vehicle with a CC greater than 3000 would fall into band 5 rather than band 6.

Electric cars (not hybrids) - If your vehicle was registered after 1st of March 2001 then the band that your vehicle falls into will be determined by emissions i.e. CO2.

Foreign registered vehicles - These will always be priced in band 4. Please also note that foreign registered vehicles will only be issued with a maximum of 6 months worth of permits, after this no other permits will be issued until the car is registered and taxed in the UK.

Other vehicles - we are aware that there are some exceptions to the above e.g. LGVs, Euro 4 LGVs and certain alternate fuel. If your vehicle does not fall neatly into the above categories call into the Lambeth Contact Centre.

Please note – if your engine has been converted since manufacture this conversion must be updated and reflected on your V5/C (vehicle registration document).