How it Works

Your questions answered

Looking for a quick answer? Browse the most common questions about the National Parking Platform, from how it works and who can join to what it means for drivers, councils and partners. As the platform continues to grow, this page will help you stay informed and confident about what happens next.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for a quick answer? Browse the most common questions about the National Parking Platform, from how it works and who can join to what it means for drivers, councils and partners.

Will the NPP Replace Cash and Other Forms of Parking Payments?
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No, the NPP does not aim to remove existingpayment machines. Instead, it allows equipment providers like pay and displaymachines to integrate their systems, offering benefits like improvedoccupancy and availability data. This means drivers can continue to use cashand other traditional payment methods if they prefer.

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How Does the NPP Improve the Experience for Drivers and Customers?
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The NPP allows customers to use theirpreferred parking app at any participating car park, with no need to download anew app when travelling to a different area. This creates a consistent,seamless parking experience across the UK. As long as a driver’s preferred appis integrated with the NPP, they can continue using it wherever the platform isactive. The NPP currently works with Appyway, RingGo, Pay by Phone, APCOAConnect, and Just Park.

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Is it More Expensive for Customers to Park Using NPP?
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No, all parking charges are set throughLocal Authorities via Traffic Regulations Orders (TROs), and the platformsupports fair and transparent pricing. Since apps are competing for customers,we expect the fees they charge for their services to go down.

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Can NPP Help Customers Who Move Across Local Authority Boundaries Frequently?
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Absolutely. NPP is designed to eliminatefragmentation, allowing customers to park, pay, and manage their journeysacross multiple towns and cities without switching apps or creating newaccounts.

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What is the National Parking Platform (NPP)?
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The NPP is a not-for-profit, open-access digital platform that enables seamless interoperability between Parking Operators (e.g Local Authorities) and a wide range of Service Providers. It is not an app. It supports payments, live availability data, and shared policy frameworks to improve customer experience and mobility outcomes.

NPP began as a Department for Transport initiative but is now managed by a sector-owned public-private company that is not-for-profit and governed by a board that includes Local Authorities, Service Providers, and the British Parking Association.

NPP benefits drivers by allowing them to use the parking app of their choice at any participating car park - no need to download a new app every time they travel to a different area. This creates a consistent, seamless parking experience across the UK.

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Will customers still be able to use familiar apps?
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Yes. As long as a driver’s preferred app is integrated, they can use it wherever NPP is active.

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Drivers
Operators
Benefits for Drivers
Is it more expensive for drivers to park using NPP?
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The platform supports fair and transparent pricing. Any Service Provider that charges convenience or other fees outline these to drivers before they pay for parking.

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Benefits for Drivers
Drivers
Operators
Can NPP help customers who move across local authority boundaries frequently?
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The NPP is designed to eliminate fragmentation. Customers can park, pay, and manage their journeys across multiple towns and cities without changing apps or creating new accounts.

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Benefits for Drivers
Drivers
Will the NPP replace cash and other forms of parking payments?
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The NPP does not replace cash or other forms of parking payment. We advocate for drivers having freedom of choice to pay with their preferred method - whether that be via their favourite app, via phone or at a parking machine.

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Benefits for Drivers
Drivers
Who can join the NPP?
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Any UK-based Parking Operator - public or private - who manages parking facilities and is interested in using or offering NPP services is eligible to join, subject to due diligence.

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Joining and Membership

Join the Network

Local Authority, Connected Supplier, or Parking Professional?
Join the NPP today and simplify cashless parking.