Drivers who use supermarket car parks are being warned over a little-known rule which could land them with a fine. Every supermarket car park has signs dotted around it with rules and regulations about terms and conditions.
Most supermarket car parks are free, and so few consider the terms. But one little-known rule concerns parent and child parking spaces. In almost all supermarkets, there are dedicated spaces for parents to park with children. What you may not realise is that these parent and child bays actually have an age limit.
If your child is over 12, you can no longer use them – even if you have a 13-year-old in the car and you’re just nipping in for a loaf of bread and want to park near the front of the shop.
Avalon Motor Co explains: “In almost all supermarket car parks, you’ll find designated spaces for parent and child parking, and they’re usually closer to the store doors to save parents having to cross more of the busy car park than is necessary.
“Whilst it can seem ambiguous as to who can park there, we’re here to clear things up: you can park in a parent and child parking space if you’re entering the shop with a child who is under 12 years old.
“The age of 12 is used as the limit, as this is the age up to which a child must be secured in the vehicle using child restraints, such as child car seats.
“If you’re going into the shop on your own and leaving a child with another adult in the car, you must use an ordinary parking space.”
There are exceptions for older children with special needs or disabilities. Restrictions and exceptions can be found on signage in the car park you are using.
If you’re caught using them when you’re not allowed, you could be issued with a Parking Charge Notice of up to £100.
This is because most supermarket car parks are actually run by third-party companies, and some even use cameras for enforcement, and failing to pay the fine could see you land in court.
