Apply for a resident's or visitor's permit

A resident parking scheme is defined as:

• an urban area where long-term, on-street parking by non-residents prevents residents from parking near their property for most of the working day. The working day is defined as 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, though these times can vary by scheme
• being of a sufficient size to minimise the possible effects of displacement into surrounding streets
• a large proportion of the properties within the area do not have off-street parking, or the ability to install off-street parking
• provision can be made for visitors to the area

St Helens Borough Council is responsible for administering a number of resident parking zones around the Borough and this is achieved by the issuing of various virtual permits to residents via an online application process. As part of the council's modernisation programme, a new online application process has been introduced which make is easier and quicker to apply for a permit, visitor permit, visitor vouchers (formerly scratch-cards) to renew your permit or make any necessary amendments.

There are different types of virtual permits available and these are tailored by location. If you live within a council resident parking scheme, and keep and use a car, van or motorcycle on a full-time basis, you will normally qualify for a permit, although certain properties are excluded from the scheme.  

No charge is made for initial permits/visitor vouchers, however, there is a charge for additional visitor vouchers if required and applicable to your resident parking zone.

If you are a homeowner or tenant and your property is located within a resident parking zone, you may be eligible for:

• a resident parking permit - virtual permit
• a visitor permit - a physical permit
• visitor vouchers - a virtual permit
• matchday parking permit - a virtual permit
• Victoria Terrace parking permit - a virtual permit

Applicants must agree to the associated terms and conditions applicable to the resident parking scheme before a permit can be issued under the scheme.

In order to apply for any of the permits above, you will need to set up an account via the APCOA Parking My Permit website.

If you have any queries or require any assistance with the new application process, please contact us:

Email: parkingservices@sthelens.gov.uk

Telephone: 01744 67 6128

Below are guidance notes on setting up your account through which you are able to:

• apply for a resident permit
• apply for a visitor permit
• apply for visitor vouchers (formerly scratch-cards)
• apply for a matchday permit
• apply for a Victoria Terrace permit
• change your vehicle details
• renew your permit.

Please note that APCOA are the council's parking enforcement contractor and although their details are shown on the documents relating to your account, the permit scheme is managed by St Helens Borough Council. If you have any queries or need any assistance, please contact us at St Helens Borough Council by emailing us at parkingservices@sthelens.gov.uk

All resident permit and visitor vouchers will now be virtual so there will be nothing issued to you to display in your vehicle. All information relevant to your permit will be stored on the Parking Enforcement Officers handheld computer. However, visitor permits will still be issued and will physically need to be displayed in the vehicle.

Creating an account

Please access St Helens Borough Council website and under Parking Services select the Resident Parking page where you will be able to create a new account as follows.

• Click on Create an Account
• Choose Account Type - Choose St Helens Resident Account
• Enter your Email
• Create a password
• Complete your personal details
• Name
• Postcode - at this point you will be notified if your property is not entitled to a Resident Permit
• If your property is entitled to a Resident Permit, choose your address from the list
• Click Finish

You will receive an email from the Car Parking Team at APCOA confirming your account registration and asking you to confirm your registration by clicking a link. This must be completed before you can apply for a residents parking permit, visitor vouchers or visitor permit.

From your account, you will then be able to apply for a resident/matchday/Victoria Terrace permit, visitor vouchers or visitor permit as applicable to your resident parking zone.  As part of the application process, you will need to upload proof documents into the system so please have the required documents ready before starting your application

For resident/matchday/Victoria Terrace permits you will need:

• proof of residency
• proof of vehicle ownership i.e. your V5 document

For visitor vouchers you will need to provide proof of residency.

If you are a homeowner, supporting documents need to be one of the following showing your name and address: 

• utility bill from the last 3 months
• current bank statement
• current Council Tax bill
• solicitor completion letter

If you are a tenant, supporting documents need to be one of the following:

• tenancy agreement 

Each document must not be greater than 5MB in size and must be one of the following types:

• scanned document
• photo in JPEG format (jpg, jpeg)
• Microsoft Word document (doc, docx)

Applying for a Resident Parking Permit

Once an account has been set up, please select 'Permit application - Apply for a permit' and ensure that the correct permit category is shown by selecting 'St Helens Residents Permits' from the drop-down list and clicking 'Next'. You will now be given the option of applying for a St Helens resident permit' or visitor vouchers.

You will be required to complete your vehicle registration, and make and fuel type, along with a small number of application questions.  Once entered, please select 'Next' and review your application details. If correct, agree to the terms and conditions and then click 'Proceed'.

At this stage you will need to upload your proof of residency and vehicle ownership documentation. Please select 'Add document' and specify which document type you will use and add the relevant document in one of the formats detailed above.

You will receive an email confirming your application has been received.

If we require further information, we will request this via email.

Once we have checked your details and they have been approved you will receive an email confirming your application has been successful and that your virtual permit has been issued.

Please note that your permit is virtual. The officer's handheld computer will detect whether the vehicle has a valid permit.

Change of Vehicle Ownership

Should you wish to change the vehicle registration number your permit relates to for any reason e.g. you have purchased a new vehicle or you have a courtesy car, you will need to log into your permit account, click on My Permits, click on the green vehicles button and request a change of vehicle.

You will need to upload documentation to support your request, such as the V5 log book, we will then contact you as soon as the request has been checked and actioned.  

Until you receive confirmation that the changes have been processed, you will need make alternative parking arrangement or risk incurring a Penalty Charge Notice.

Renewal of Resident Parking Permit

As your resident parking permit expiry date approaches, you will receive a 'reminder to renew' email at 30 days and again at 7 days before your permit is due to expire, if you have not already renewed.

Failure to renew your permit in time may result in a Penalty Charge Notice being issued.

Visitor Vouchers and Buying Visitor Vouchers

Once you have an account set up you will be able to apply for a free set of visitor vouchers and buy additional visitor vouchers as and when required. You do not need to have a residents parking permit in place to apply for visitor vouchers, but you must be able to provide proof you are a resident within the resident parking zone.

The first set of 12 visitor vouchers are free of charge. Visitor vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of issue. At expiry date, any unused vouchers either free or additional purchased vouchers will become invalid.

To apply follow the instructions below:

• select the option 'St Helens resident permits' then 'St Helens visitor vouchers' (formerly scratch cards)
• select the date you want the vouchers to start
• provide proof of residency
• upload your supporting documents - you can use the documents you saved previously if you have a residents parking permit
• once submitted, you will receive an email to confirm the application has been received and is awaiting review
• once approved you will receive a further email confirming that the visitors' vouchers are now active.

Each voucher is valid for one calendar day in the resident parking zone, you are not able to book half days.

You can book a session 30 days in advance and cancel a session as long as it is prior to the session starting.

Allocating Visitors Vouchers to Visitors Vehicles

Once you have successfully ordered the vouchers a visitor voucher icon will appear on your account.

Click on this icon to book in a visitor's vehicle. This will open the voucher system, select the book icon to book a visitor session.

You will be asked to provide the number plate of your visitor's vehicle and select on what date you require the visitor voucher.

Amendments/cancellation of a booked session is allowed prior to the commencement of the booked session, these can be done via the booked sessions tab.

• Select change to change the VRM
• Select cancel to cancel the session

Visitor vouchers cover the applicable restriction time for your resident parking zone.

When you have booked a visitor voucher you do not get an email confirming the voucher details, but details of the voucher can be viewed in your account under the booked sessions tab.

Visitor vouchers can be booked in advance but if you have an unexpected guest arrive, please complete a visitor voucher booking as soon after they arrive as possible. The Civil Enforcement Officers' hand-held computers are updated on a regular basis so the visitor voucher will be visible to them within three minutes of it being submitted.

Topping Up Visitor Vouchers

Once you have used your free batch of 12 visitor vouchers you will be able to purchase additional vouchers at a cost of £19.92 (£1.66 per voucher) these are available in sets of 12 only. Please note that no matter when you purchase the top up vouchers the original expiry date will stay the same and any vouchers not used before this expiry date will become invalid.

Visitors Permits

An online application will need to be completed in order to obtain a visitor permit. 

To support your application, you will need to provide proof of residency.

If you are a homeowner, supporting documents need to be one of the following showing your name and address: 

• utility bill from the last 3 months
• current bank statement
• current Council Tax bill
• solicitor completion letter

If you are a tenant, supporting document will need to be:

• tenancy agreement 

Each document must not be greater than 5MB in size and must be one of the following types:

• scanned document or photo in JPEG format (jpg, jpeg)
• Microsoft Word document (doc, docx)

Once your application has been received the parking services team will process the application and issue a physical visitors permit.

A resident parking permit enables you to park your car/van/motorcycle within the resident parking zone in which your property is located and is free of charge.

A resident parking permit is now a virtual permit for which you must complete an individual online application form per vehicle - up to three permits can be issued per property.

To support your application, you will be asked to upload two pieces of documentation:

1. Proof of Residency - this must be a document which proves that you live in the property within the resident parking zone.

Examples of proof we will accept are:

• homeowner - provide a copy of your Council Tax bill for the current year showing the name of the person applying for the permit as resident at the property
• homeowner - provide a copy of a utility bill, dated within the last three months showing the name of the person applying for the permit as resident at the property
• homeowner - solicitor completion letter
• tenant - a copy of your tenancy agreement showing the name of the person applying for the permit as resident at the property.

2. Proof of Vehicle Registration

Examples of proof we will accept are:

• a copy of your V5 document issued by DVLA showing the vehicle is registered in the name of the person applying for the permit at the address given above
• proof that an application has been made to DVLA for a V5 document registering the vehicle in the name of the person applying for the permit at the address given above - in this case your application will be rejected, however, a temporary permit will be issued to allow time for your V5 document to be issued. A temporary permit is time limited.  As soon as you receive your V5 document from the DVLA, you will need to submit a new application.

Applicants must read and agree to the Terms and Conditions for a resident parking permit.

In order to apply for a Victoria Terrace Parking Permit, you need to create an account or log into your existing account APCOA Parking My Permit account.

A visitor permit enables your visitor to park their vehicle for a single unbroken session of up to 4-hours within the relevant resident parking zone in which your property is located.

There is no charge for a visitor permit.

A visitor permit is issued as a physical permit for which you must complete an individual on-line application form - only one visitor permit can be issued per property.

To support your application, you will be asked to upload one of the following documentation examples:

• proof of residency - this must be a document which proves that you live in the property within the resident parking zone.

Examples of proof we will accept are:

• homeowner - provide a copy of your Council Tax bill for the current year showing the name of the person applying for the permit as resident at the property
• homeowner - provide a copy of a utility bill, dated within the last 3 months showing the name of the person applying for the permit as resident at the property
• homeowner - solicitor completion letter
• tenant - a copy of your tenancy agreement showing the name of the person applying for the permit as resident at the property.

Applicants must read and agree to the Terms and Conditions for a visitor permit

Applications for visitor permits can be made via your APCOA Parking My Permit account. 

Visitor vouchers enable a visitor to park their vehicle for more than four hours per calendar day within the relevant resident parking zone in which their property is located.

Visitor vouchers are now virtual and will require completion of an online application form. Visitor voucher sessions must be booked online.

Visitor vouchers are provided in batches of 12 - the first batch is provided free of charge. Additional batches of 12 are chargeable at £19.92 per batch. For each additional batch you will be required to complete a further online application form.

Visitor vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of issue, additional paid for batches will expire on the same date as the initial free batch

To support your application, you will be asked to upload one of the following documentation examples:

• Proof of Residency - this must be a document which proves that you live in the property within the resident parking zone.

Examples of proof we will accept are

• homeowner - provide a copy of your Council Tax bill for the current year showing the name of the person applying for the permit as resident at the property
• homeowner - provide a copy of a utility bill, dated within the last three months showing the name of the person applying for the permit as resident at the property
• homeowner - solicitor completion letter
• tenant - a copy of your tenancy agreement showing the name of the person applying for the permit as resident at the property.

Applicants must read and agree to the Terms and Conditions for visitor vouchers to complete their application

In order to apply for a matchday parking permit, you need to create an account or log into your existing account APCOA Parking My Permit account.

A Victoria Terrace parking permit is in place for residents of Victoria Terrace, Rainhill only.

Residents of Victoria Terrace are able to apply for a parking permit which enables them to park in Victoria Terrace during the operating hours of the scheme (Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm).

Victoria Terrace Parking permits are now virtual.

To apply for a Victoria Terrace parking permit, applicants must complete an online application form and upload the relevant documentation to support their application.

To support your application, you will be asked to upload two pieces of documentation:

1. Proof of residency - this must be a document which proves that you live in the property within the Victoria Terrace parking permit scheme

Examples of proof we will accept are:

• homeowner - provide a copy of your Council Tax bill for the current year showing the name of the person applying for the permit as resident at the property
• homeowner - provide a copy of a utility bill, dated within the last 3 months showing the name of the person applying for the permit as resident at the property
• homeowner - solicitor completion letter
• tenant - a copy of your tenancy agreement showing the name of the person applying for the permit as resident at the property

2. Proof of vehicle registration

Examples of proof we will accept are:

• a copy of your V5 document issued by DVLA showing the vehicle is registered in the name of the person applying for the permit at the address given above
• proof that an application has been made to DVLA for a V5 document registering the vehicle in the name of the person applying for the permit at the address given above - in this case your application will be rejected, however, a temporary permit will be issued to allow time for your V5 document to be issued. A temporary permit is time limited. As soon as you receive your V5 document from the DVLA, you will need to submit a new application.

Applicants must read and agree to the Terms and Conditions for a Victoria Terrace parking permit

In order to apply for a Victoria Terrace parking permit, you need to create an account or log into your existing account APCOA Parking My Permit account.

A matchday parking scheme is in place for residents who live close to the Totally Wicked Stadium.

The matchday permit scheme is only in operation when there is a match/event taking place at the Totally Wicked Stadium (operating hours of the scheme during matches/events are 11am to 10pm).

Residents of the affected streets are able to apply for a matchday parking permit, enabling them to park in the vicinity of their property during an event.

Residents may apply for a permit for any vehicle they own or are keeping at their address for work purposes. 

Please note: matchday parking permits are now virtual.

To apply for a Matchday parking permit, applicants must complete an online application form and upload the relevant documentation to support their application.

Acceptable documentation includes:

• evidence that the vehicle is registered at your property, for example, the vehicle registration document (V5 or logbook), mobility documentation or, if it is a company car, a letter from your employer confirming the vehicle details
• proof of residency, for example, public utilities bill or bank statement, showing name and address of applicant.

Applicants must read and agree to the Terms and Conditions for a matchday parking permit to complete their application

In order to apply for a matchday parking permit, you need to create an account or log into your existing account APCOA Parking My Permit account.

Residents who live within the area covered by the access permit scheme within Rainhill may apply for permits to allow for parking on the public highway by drivers accessing a property within the scheme. 

You can apply for access parking permits by emailing parkingservices@sthelens.gov.uk. You must supply evidence of proof of residency, for example, public utilities bill or bank statement, showing name and address of applicant.

Permits will be posted within two to three working days following receipt of a valid application. 

You can also apply for these permits by contacting 01744 676128. Your application will be assessed and an appointment for permit collection made at the Customer Hub in the Town Hall in St Helens town centre. You will need to provide evidence as stated above during the appointment for a permit to be issued.

The scheme operates during the times as depicted on the signs entering the scheme area. As this is a moving traffic violation, enforcement of the scheme is undertaken by Merseyside Police.

A parking permit does not guarantee that a space will be available for your vehicle either outside your property or within the scheme area. Spaces cannot be reserved.