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Parking in London

If you're driving to London or around London, you need to know about parking your car, including information on parking fines and car parks.

  • Street parking in central London can be difficult with parking restrictions typically in place between 8.30am and 6.30pm Monday to Saturday.

  • Q-Park and NCP operate car parks across London, which can be booked in advance. 

  • Parking fines tend to cost between £80 and £130.

  • The Blue Badge scheme provides parking benefits for disabled people, but there are restrictions in central London boroughs.  

Parking in London can be difficult, particularly in Central London. If you plan to drive in London, plan ahead by researching car parks near your destination, pre-booking a space and, if necessary, pre-paying the London Congestion Charge.

Car parks in London

NCP (National Car Parks) runs about 100 car parks in London, including airport car parks.

Q-Park operates 16 car parks in Central London, including Oxford Street, Park Lane, Soho, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Chinatown, Harley Street, Queensway, Victoria and Knightsbridge.

If you want to plan ahead, visit the Parkopedia website to search for parking spaces at your destination.

In London streets, parking restrictions typically apply between 8.30am and 6.30pm Monday to Saturday. Always check the signs for exact details of parking restrictions in each street. Many of London's roads operate "Pay & Display" schemes, where you'll need to purchase a ticket and display it on the dashboard or windscreen of the vehicle. Some London boroughs operate "phone parking" where you can pay for parking on your mobile phone. However, you usually need to create an account and register a credit or debit card to do this. 

Parking fines in London

If your vehicle is parked in contravention of parking or traffic restrictions, you will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). And in some areas, your vehicle may be clamped. These parking fines and penalties are administered by the London borough in which the offence occurs. 

Parking fines are generally between £80 and £130. If the fine is paid within 14 days of issue, a 50 percent discount applies. The fine can usually be paid online, by phone, by post, or in person. For more information, contact the relevant London borough.

Parking in London for disabled drivers

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking benefits for eligible disabled people. The Blue Badge scheme operates throughout the UK, but in Central London the standard entitlements do not apply. 

Blue Badge parking concessions do not apply in the following boroughs: City of Westminster, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Corporation of London and the London Borough of Camden (south of Euston Road). It is essential to check restrictions in these boroughs. There are Blue Badge parking bays in these areas.

Blue Badge holders can also register to receive a 100 percent discount on the Congestion Charge - find out how to register on the Transport for London website. For further information, read about the Blue Badge scheme, including how to apply for a Blue Badge.

Several of Central London's commercial car parks offer designated disabled parking bays, which are charged at the standard tariff.

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