What is a visitor scratch card?

A visitors’ scratch card allows a person visiting a resident to park in a permit bay or area during the restricted period of the zone.  The relevant day, date and month must be scratched off the surface and the scratch card must be displayed so that a Civil Enforcement Officer can read the details from outside of the vehicle.

Visitor scratch cards are issued to residents on successful completion of the application process. On each occasion of use, a scratch card should be validated by scratching off the selected day, date and month. The scratch card can only be used on the date that has been scratched off, in the zone applied for and should be displayed on the dashboard, clearly visible from outside of the vehicle.

Residents should allow up to five working days for their application to be processed and on successful completion, the scratch cards will be posted out first class. However, the authority and its service agents are not responsible for any delays by the postal service.

Apply for visitor scratch cards

Visitor scratch card zones

All residential permit schemes have an associated visitor scratch card scheme. Please check permit charges for further details and prices.

Who can apply and what needs to be provided

Who qualifies

• residents: only residents who reside at an address within a permit zone and can provide evidence of this are entitled to purchase visitor scratch cards
• the planning conditions for some new build housing schemes do not allow residents to apply for visitor scratch cards. Applications will be cross-checked with the relevant parties, registers, databases, etc
• businesses: visitor scratch cards are not available for businesses

Proof of residence

A copy of one utility bill shown below must be provided (dated within the last 3 months):

• gas
• electric
• water
• TV licence
• home insurance
• most recent Council Tax bill will be accepted
• driving licence

Not yet moved in?

If you have not yet moved to the address in your application, please provide a letter from your solicitor confirming completion date or tenancy agreement.

Displaying the scratch card correctly

Correct display

Each book contains 10 visitor scratch cards.

• please make sure the arrival time, day, date and month of parking are visible by scratching the appropriate area from the surface of the scratch card
• please make sure you display the visitor scratch card face up on the dashboard of the vehicle so that it can be easily read through the front windscreen
• failure to display a visitor scratch card correctly may result in the issue of a Penalty Charge Notice

Prevention of fraud

In order to ensure the integrity of the permit scheme, the Council may undertake sample checks to verify the applicant’s details, including requesting copy documents as appropriate.

Your information may be shared with third parties such as APCOA for the purpose of processing a permit and the prevention of fraud. If you would like more information about how we use your data, please read our Privacy Policy which also contains guidance on submitting data protection requests and questions.

Where I can I use my visitor scratch cards?

• visitor scratch cards are valid for use only in the zone you reside
• visitor scratch cards may only be used in residents’ permit bays (unless otherwise stated)
• a visitor scratch card does not grant the holder the right to park outside their home or guarantee the availability of a parking space
• the Council reserves the right to suspend any parking bay as required

Refunds and important information

Please note:

1. it is a criminal offence if, with intent to deceive, you knowingly make a false statement or mishandle or forge documents to get visitor scratch cards for yourself or others. The Council may prosecute under the Theft Acts or other relevant criminal legislation
2. please tell us immediately if you change your address
3. the Council reserves the right to withhold or withdraw visitor scratch cards
4. please allow 21 days for us to issue your scratch cards
5. a full refund will be given to a resident on surrender of a complete book of visitor scratch cards provided that no details on any of the cards within the book have been scratched off
6. residents are not permitted to sell or transfer the scratch cards to other parties
7. residents must not allow their visitors to park for the purpose of commuting

Apply for a refund