Motorists shopping at UK supermarkets such as Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons may not be aware of a series of little-known parking rules. Visitors to stores have to follow a range of rules, including maximum time limits and age restrictions, at certain bays.
Meanwhile, road users may not be aware that parking outside of store opening times could backfire. Parking in disabled parking bays or forgetting to obtain a paper ticket at a meter could all backfire. Motoring experts at StartRescue have listed some of the most serious car park rules to ensure road users don't break them.
Many stores will have a maximum visiting time, ensuring road users can only stop in a car park for a set period. This is likely to put off many road users hoping to use supermarkets as a good free parking option in city centres.
For example, Sainsbury's stores have confirmed drivers can stop at most of their car parks for up to 2 hours completely free of charge.
StartRescue explained: The vast majority of supermarket car parks have a maximum allowed stay - usually of between one and three hours. If you go over this time limit, you could be handed a fine. But how efficiently or strictly a car park is patrolled varies between locations. A list of rules should be displayed on a sign in the car park.”
Stopping in a disabled parking bay without a valid Blue Badge in place is likely to see road users hit with a Parking Charge Notice (PCN). Disabled bays are usually located closer ton the store but these should be reserved only for those who need it.
Misusing a Blue Badge, such a family member using someone else's badge without them present, is also against the rules. Morrisons stressed that at least 5% of car parking spaces are dedicated to blue badge holders across their stores.
Parent/child bays are also located near the entrance to the store and are usually wider than standard parking spaces. However, these should only be used by individuals who are accompanied by a child aged 12 or under.
According to StartRescue, road users taking advantage of the bays without a valid reason will be asked to move their vehicle, with fines likely to follow.
Some supermates will require road users to pick up a physical ticket to leave their vehicles whether or not they are charging road users. Some companies will issue fees to stop through Pay and Display rates, although some may still want drivers to get a physical slip even if the spaces are free.
Physical parking tickets will provide evidence of how long drivers have stayed shopping and an indicator they have used the store and not walked elsewhere.
Asda commented: “Parking is free at most of our stores, but some locations may be Pay and Display. Details of this will be displayed on the signage in the store car park.”
