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 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 makes it 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

Resident Parking Permit

If you live in an eligible property within a Town Centre Resident Parking Zone, you can apply for

A Resident Permit                                This enables you to park within your resident zone in the vicinity of your property

A Visitor Permit                                    This allows visitors to your property to park in your resident zone for up to 4 hours

Visitor Vouchers                                   These enable visitors to park for any length of time during one calendar day within your resident zone

Terms & Conditions  Residents Parking Scheme Terms and Conditions (PDF) [516KB]

Matchday Parking Permit

If you live in an eligible property within a Matchday Parking Zone, you can apply for

A Matchday Permit                              This enable you to park within your resident zone when parking restrictions apply for matches / events at the Totally                                                                        Wicked Stadium

Terms & Conditions Residents Parking Scheme Terms and Conditions (PDF) [516KB]

Victoria Terrace Parking Permit

If you are a resident of Victoria Terrace, Rainhill, you can apply for

A Resident Permit                                This enables you to park within your resident zone in the vicinity of your property

A Visitor Permit                                    This allows visitors to your property to park in your resident zone for up to 4 hours

Visitor Vouchers                                   These enable visitors to park for any length of time during one calendar day within your resident zone

Terms & Conditions Residents Parking Scheme Terms and Conditions (PDF) [516KB]

St Helens Town Centre Resident Car Park Permit

If you live in St Helens Town Centre, but your property does not qualify for a Resident Permit, you can now apply for a

Resident Car Park Permit                    This enable you to park in a car park of your choice from the list of eligible car parks 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

This is a paid for permit but is offered at a reduced rate to the cost of a normal permit on the car park.

The permit can be purchased for 12 months or in blocks of 3 months

Terms & Conditions St Helens Town Centre Resident Car Park Permit Terms and Conditions (PDF) [493KB]

In order to apply for any of the above permits, you will need to set up an account - please follow this link Set Up My Resident Permit Account (LINK)

Guidance

Once you have set up your account, guidance on how to apply for your chosen permit can be found on the links above

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

Email:  parkingservices@sthelens.gov.uk

Telephone:  01744 676128

To set up an account you will need to enter an email address and create a password

Once your account is set up you will be able to:

• apply for a resident permit
• apply for a visitor permit or visitor vouchers (formerly scratch cards)
• manage your visitor vouchers
• apply for a matchday permit
• apply for a St Helens Town Centre resident 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 the Permit Team on:

Tel: 01744 67 6128

Email: 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.

Visitor permits will still be a physical permit which will need to be displayed in the vehicle.

Let's get started

• Click on this link APCOA Parking - My Permit
• Click on Create an Account
• Choose Account Type -  St Helens Resident Account
• Enter your Email address
• Create a password
• Complete your personal details - all fields marked with an * will need to be completed
• Postcode (at this point you may be notified that your property is not entitled to a Resident Permit - if you think your property should be entitled to a Resident Permit, please contact us)
• 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

Click on the link included in the email to activate your account - this step must be completed to activate your account

In order to apply for a Resident Parking Permit you must have an  APCOA Parking - My Permit account, if you have not already set up an account, please follow this link Set up my Resident Permit Account

As part of the application process, you will need to upload 2 proof documents into the system, so please have these ready before starting your application

• proof of residency
• proof of vehicle ownership

Accepted supporting documents for a home owner

• utility bill from the last 3 months showing your name and address
• current bank statement from last 3 months showing your name and address
• Council Tax bill for current year showing your name and address
• solicitor completion letter showing your name and address

Accepted supporting document for a tenant

• Copy of your tenancy agreement showing your name and property address

Accepted proof of vehicle ownership

• V5 document - front sheet showing name and address and vehicle registration
• Lease document
• Company vehicle - letter from your employer

Once you have set up your account and have your proof documents at hand log in via APCOA Parking - My Permit

Application Guidance

• Select 'Permit application - Apply for a permit'
• Ensure that the correct permit category is shown 'St Helens Resident Permit'  -  Click 'Next'
• Select 'St Helens Resident Permit'
• Complete all questions marked with an * vehicle registration, fuel type etc.  -  Click 'Next'
• Review your application details and amend if required
• Click on 'Terms & Conditions' to read
• Check the box to say you have read and agree to the terms and conditions  -  Click 'Proceed'

At this stage you will need to upload your proof of residency and vehicle ownership documentation.

Select 'Add document' and specify which document type you will use and add the relevant document (if you are having difficulty uploading your documents, please contact us)

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 permit has been issued.

Please note that a resident permit is specific to your vehicle and is virtual, meaning no physical permit is issued, your vehicle registration is kept on our database; when a Civil Enforcement Officer patrolling your area scans your registration, the system will detect that your 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 accepted vehicle proof (listed above) to support your request, we will contact you as soon as your request has been checked and actioned.  

Until you receive confirmation that the changes have been processed, you will need to 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.

In order to apply for a Visitor Permit or Visitor Vouchers you must have an APCOA Parking - My Permit account, if you have not already set up an account, please follow this link Set Up My Car Park Permit Account

As part of the application process, you will need to upload a proof of residency document into the system to support your application, so please have this ready before starting your application

Accepted supporting document for a home owner

• utility bill from the last 3 months showing your name and address
• current bank statement from last 3 months showing your name and address
• Council Tax bill for current year showing your name and address
• solicitor completion letter showing your name and address

Accepted supporting document for a tenant

• Copy of your tenancy agreement showing your name and property address

Once you have set up your account and have your proof document at hand, log into your account via APCOA Parking - My Permit

Application Guidance

• Select 'Permit application - Apply for a permit'
• Ensure that the correct permit category is shown 'St Helens Resident Permit'  -  Click 'Next'
• Select 'Visitor Permit' or 'Visitor Voucher'
• Complete all questions marked with an* Click 'Next'
• Review your application details and amend if required
• Click on 'Terms & Conditions' to read
• Check the box to say you have read and agree to the terms and conditions  -  Click 'Proceed'

At this stage you will need to upload your proof of residency document.

Select 'Add document' and specify which document type you will use and add the relevant document (If you are having difficulties uploading your document/s, please contact us)

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 permit has been issued.

Visitor Permit

• A Visitor Permit is a physical permit which needs to be displayed in the visitor's vehicle showing time of arrival
• It enables a visitor to park their vehicle in the resident zone for a single unbroken session of up to 4 hours
• A Visitor Permit is issued free of charge - one Visitor Permit is allowed per property
• A visitor Permit is valid for 3 years.
• You will receive a 'reminder to renew' email at 30 days and again at 7 days before your permit expires.

Visitor Vouchers

• The first set of 12 Visitor Vouchers are provided free of charge annually
• Top up vouchers can be purchased via your account only -
• Visitor Vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of issue
• At expire date, any unused vouchers either free or purchased will become invalid
• Visitor Vouchers are virtual and need to be managed by you via your APCOA Parking - My Permit account
• You will receive a 'reminder to renew' email at 30 days and again at 7 days before your vouchers expire.

For guidance on how to manage your visitor vouchers see How to Manage My Visitor Vouchers (LINK) for details

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 annually
• Visitor vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of issue.
• At expiry date, any unused vouchers either free or additional will become invalid.
• 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 your Visitor Voucher application has been reviewed and accepted, 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 vehicle registration number of your visitor's vehicle and select on what date you require the visitor voucher.
• 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.
• 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.

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.
• Top up vouchers can be purchased via your account only
• Please note that no matter when you purchase the top up vouchers the original expiry date will stay the same and any unused vouchers, free or purchased, will become invalid at this date

In order to apply for a Matchday Permit you must have an APCOA Parking - My Permit account, if you have not already set up an account, please follow this link Set up my Resident Permit Account 

As part of the application process, you will need to upload a proof of residency document into the system to support your application, so please have this ready before starting your application.

Accepted supporting document for a home owner:

• utility bill from the last 3 months showing your name and address
• current bank statement from last 3 months showing your name and address
• Council Tax bill for current year showing your name and address
• solicitor completion letter showing your name and address

Accepted supporting document for a tenant:

• Copy of your tenancy agreement showing your name and property address

Accepted proof of vehicle ownership:

•  V5 document - front sheet showing name and address and vehicle registration
• Lease document
• Company vehicle - letter from your employer

Once you have set up your account and have your proof documents at hand log into your account via APCOA Parking - My Permit

Application Guidance

• Select 'Permit application - Apply for a permit'
• Ensure that the correct permit category is shown 'St Helens Resident Permit' - Matchday Only'  -  Click 'Next'
• Select 'St Helens Matchday Permit'
• Complete all questions marked with an * Click 'Next'
• Review your application details and amend if required
• Click on 'Terms & Conditions' to read
• Check the box to say you have read and agree to the terms and conditions  -  Click 'Proceed'

At this stage you will need to upload your proof of residency and vehicle ownership documentation

Select 'Add document' and specify which document type you will use and add the relevant document (if you are having difficulty uploading your documents, please contact us)

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.

Renewal of a Matchday Permit

A Matchday Permit is valid for 1 year

You will receive a 'reminder to renew' email at 30 days and again at 7 days before your permit expires.

Below are the car parks on which you can purchase a St Helens Town Centre Resident Car Park Permit

In order to apply for a St Helens Town Centre Resident Virtual Car Park Permit you must have an APCOA Parking - My Permit account, if you have not already set up an account, please follow this link Set up my Resident Permit Account

As part of the application process, you will need to upload a proof of residency in St Helens Town Centre document into the system to support your application and then pay for your permit, so please have your document and a payment card ready before starting your application

Accepted supporting document for a home owner

• Utility bill from the last 3 months showing your name and address
• Current bank statement from last 3 months showing your name and address
• Council Tax bill for current year showing your name and address
• Solicitor completion letter showing your name and address

Accepted supporting document for a tenant

• Copy of your tenancy agreement showing your name and property address

Once you have set up your account and have your proof document at hand log into your account via APCOA Parking - My Permit

Application Guidance

Select 'Permit application - Apply for a permit'

• Ensure that the correct permit category is shown 'St Helens Resident Permit'  -  Click 'Next'
• Select 'St Helens Town Centre Resident Car Park Permit'
• Choose your car park
• Choose the length of validity required for your permit - 3 months or 12 months
• Complete all questions marked with an * Click 'Next'
• Review your application details and amend if required
• Click on 'Terms & Conditions' to read
• Check the box to say you have read and agree to the terms and conditions  -  Click 'Proceed'

At this stage you will need to upload your proof of residency document.

Select 'Add document' and specify which document type you will use and add the relevant document (if you are having difficulties uploading your documents, please contact us)

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 offering you the permit, which will also contain a link to the payment screen

• Follow the instructions to make payment
• You will receive an email confirming your permit application has been successful and your virtual permit has been issued
• You will also receive an email receipt for your payment showing the amount paid and VAT details

Your virtual permit becomes live once payment has been completed.

Renewal of a St Helens Town Centre Resident Car Park Permit

A Permit is valid for the length of time chosen

You will receive a 'reminder to renew' email at 30 days and again at 7 days before your permit expires.

In order to apply for an Access Permit you must live within the Access Permit Scheme in Rainhill.

You can apply for an access permit by emailing: parkingservices@sthelens.gov.uk

You will need to supply a proof of residency document to support your application.

Accepted supporting documents for a home owner:

• utility bill from the last 3 months showing your name and address
• current bank statement from last 3 months showing your name and address
• a Council Tax bill for current year showing your name and address
• solicitor completion letter showing your name and address

Accepted supporting document for a tenant

• copy of your tenancy agreement showing your name and property address

Please Note

• The scheme operates during controlled hours as displayed on the signage at the entrances to the scheme
• A permit does not guarantee a space will be available outside your property or indeed within the scheme area
• Parking spaces cannot be reserved
• As this restriction is a moving traffic violation, enforcement is undertaken by Merseyside Police, not St Helens Borough Council