Parent and Child Parking Bay Rules UK

As a driver using public car parks, you’ve no doubt seen the parking bays designated solely to parents with babies and young children. These family-friendly spaces are usually located close to a shopping centre or supermarket, which is why they are a sought-after destination. 

Almost 1 in 10 motorists in the UK have admitted to parking in a parent and child bay, despite not having a child with them at the time. Have you ever parked your car in a parent and child parking bay but shouldn’t have? We explain the rules of parking in a parent and child bay, and what the consequences are if you’re caught using one when you shouldn’t. Read on to find out more… 

What is a parent and child parking bay?

Parent and child parking bays can be found in most public car parks across the UK, and can be identified by the symbol of a parent and child painted on the floor of the space, and/or an accompanying sign. These dedicated bays for parents of babies and young children are usually situated closest to the shopping centre entrance or superstore for extra convenience. 

As such, most councils in England ensure that parent and child parking bays are situated no further than 75 metres from the entrance of a building. Parking bays for parents and children will be found near to disabled parking bays. They are larger than standard car park spaces, because extra room is needed to fully open the doors of a vehicle in order to get children in and out more easily.   

What size is a parent and child parking bay?

Regular size car parking spaces often don’t have enough room for getting babies and children in and out of a car, so parent and child parking bays are purposely made bigger for this reason. 

The average size parent and child parking bay is 2.4 metres in width by 4.8 metres in length, and will have extra space around them too (usually marked by hatched lines on all four sides of the bay). The extra space at the rear of the vehicle means that prams and buggies can be removed from the boot and unfolded without risking damage to another vehicle.     

Who can use parent and child parking bays?

Parent and child parking bays are reserved specifically for parents or guardians travelling with one or more children under 12-years-old in the vehicle. However, these spaces are only available to parents who need to take a child (or children) with them into the supermarket or shopping centre. If you are planning to leave a child (or children) in the vehicle under the care of another adult for a short period of time, it is encouraged that you use a regular parking bay instead.   

What is the age limit of a parent and child parking bay?

As a general rule of thumb, parent and child parking bays are designated for parents or guardians of children aged 12 years and under. This is because children up to this age are required by law to be seated in an appropriate car seat or booster seat during a car journey. 

Can a pregnant person park in a parent and child bay?

This question is very much debatable and can vary from car park to car park. Whether a pregnant person can park in a parent and child parking space is down to how much it is needed. For this reason, if a woman is heavily pregnant then it is very much acceptable for her to park in a bay usually designated for parents with children. This is because it can become more difficult for a pregnant person to get in and out of a car in the later stages of pregnancy, so she will need more space.     

Is it illegal to park in a parent and child parking space without children?

Although it is not illegal to park in a parent and child bay in the UK without having children in the car, it is very much frowned upon and can result in a fine too. Misuse of a parking bay designated for parents with children is not only an inconvenience to people who rely on them, but is a punishable offence too. Any drivers caught misusing a parent and child parking bay could receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of up to £100.    

Supermarket parent and child parking bay rules

Most supermarket car parks are private property which means using them is subject to a certain set of rules. The rules of using supermarket car parks will be outlined on signs placed around the site. Because of this, the rules surrounding parking in parent and child bays may vary between locations. To help, we’ve listed the parent and child parking bay rules in some of the UK’s most popular supermarkets… 

Aldi parent and child parking bay rules

Aldi encourages its customers to report someone who is misusing a parent and child parking bay to store officials. They have stressed however that during periods with limited staff on site, it may not be possible to enforce their rules on parent and child parking.  

Asda parent and child parking bay rules

Unlike some of the other supermarkets, Asda relies on an external agency to monitor its car parks. This means that if you were to misuse a parent and child parking space in an Asda car park, you run a very high risk of being caught and fined.  

Lidl parent and child parking bay rules

Much like Aldi, Lidl relies on the honesty of its customers when it comes to parking correctly. If you see someone misusing a parent and child parking bay, you can report it to the store manager.  

Morrisons parent and child parking bay rules

Morrisons actively monitors its car parks to ensure that customers are parking responsibly. If it’s suspected that a driver has parked in a parent and child parking bay without needing to, they will be politely asked to move, or a sign will be placed on the vehicle’s windscreen to make them aware.    

Sainsbury’s parent and child parking bay rules

Sainsbury’s takes customers misusing spaces seriously, so actively enforces parking rules throughout all their car parks. If you are caught parking in a parent and child bay when you shouldn’t, you could be issued with a PCN.  

Tesco parent and child parking bay rules

Just like Asda, Tesco works with an external agency to enforce parking rules throughout their car parks. This means that if you misuse a parent and child parking space, you run the risk of being fined. 

Find the best family cars at Wilsons Epsom

If you’re getting ready to be a new parent or welcoming another new addition to the family, then we can help in your search for a suitable car. You’ll want a vehicle that’s not only safe, but large enough to fit in a car seat or two, and a buggy in the back. 

As the largest family-run new car and used car supermarket in Surrey and across the South of England, here at Wilsons Epsom, we are best placed to find you a family-friendly car for your new or growing brood. As well as representing 11 of the most popular new car brands, we also stock over 1,000 nearly new and used cars that can be browsed online. 

Take a look at our blog highlighting the best family cars to buy in 2022 & 2023 to discover the ideal five-seater and seven-seater cars available right now.