Apply for a virtual resident parking permit

When should I apply for a virtual permit?

You only need to change to a virtual permit when your paper permit is due to expire. 

When your paper permit is due to expire you must register for an online account and make a new permit application. 

What can I apply for?

In parking zones A to G only one fixed permit is allowed. In all other zone, two permits are permitted - you can choose either two fixed permits, or one fixed permit and one flexible permit. 

Fixed permits

Fixed permits are only valid for one specific vehicle.

Flexible permits 

Flexible permits (known as a visitor or various permit) can be moved from one vehicle to another, such as a visitor’s vehicle, or a vehicle that belongs to someone who is working at your house, like a cleaner, carer or nanny. 

You can change the vehicle assigned to your flexible permit using your online permit account. You can make this change prior to your visitor arriving, any changes are updated immediately and will show our City Wardens that the permit is valid.

To switch vehicles on a flexible permit you must log into your account and switch vehicles. Or you can contact us Mon - Fri, 8am - 8pm, Saturday 8am - 6pm and Sunday 1 - 5pm.

There is no limit on how many times you can switch vehicles applied to your flexible permit.

Watch our help video for more information.

Parking vouchers

Parking vouchers are available for use in pay by meter areas in all zones except zone RR, Y, YY and Z .

Residents in all zones (except RR, Y, YY and Z) can apply online for virtual parking vouchers. Vouchers can be used once for a full days parking in the zone you live in. Customers can buy 15 vouchers in a 12 month period. Vouchers cost £6.05 each which is payable at the time of booking a parking session.

To see which streets are in which zone, please check the Permit Zone Street List:

Apply for a virtual permit

To apply for a new virtual resident parking permit please register for an account and complete the online application. Please see our help videos for more information.

Remember, you only need to switch to a virtual permit when your current paper permit expires.

More information

For information about supporting evidence and costs please read the information below by clicking on one of the headings or read our frequently asked questions.

Digital identity check

Aberdeen City Council will carry out checks to ensure that you are entitled to receive a residential parking permit. These checks can be carried out via a soft credit search to confirm your information is accurate and that you live at the address where a permit has been applied for. Providing a date of birth is optional when applying for your permit, providing this information will increase the likelihood of passing the check.

If this check is approved you will be asked to upload proof of vehicle ownership when applying for a fixed permit, your permit will then be offered instantly* . If you are applying for a Flexible permit you will not be asked to submit support documents and your permit will be offered instantly. If you do not pass the automated check you will be asked to upload documentation to demonstrate your eligibility for a permit.

*if upload proof of vehicle ownership does not verify that you own the vehicle then the permit will be cancelled.

Important: A soft credit check doesn't leave a visible footprint on your credit file, but it is recorded. This means no lenders can see the search made when applying for a permit with Aberdeen City Council and a soft credit check will not impact your credit score. 

Uploading documents

If you are asked to upload documents to support your application, please upload the following:

Fixed resident permit

  • If you are the owner of your vehicle you must provide us with your V5C document.
    • We will accept an insurance document or proof of purchase if V5C is not available but we can only issue a 3 month permit.
  • If your vehicle is owned by someone else you must upload the V5C, insurance certificate and policy schedule.
  • If you hire your vehicle please upload your hire agreement document.

You may also be asked to upload one of the following:

  • Current council tax document
  • Utility bill (dated within the last 3 months)
  • Bank statement (dated within the last 3 months)
  • Credit card statement (dated within the last 3 months)
  • Mortgage agreement 
  • Tenancy agreement 

Flexible resident permit

For a flexible permit you should upload one of the following:

  • Current council tax document
  • Utility bill (dated within the last 3 months)
  • Bank statement (dated within the last 3 months)
  • Credit card statement (dated within the last 3 months)
  • Mortgage agreement 
  • Tenancy agreement 

File type

Each document must not be greater than 5MB in size and must be one of the following file types:

  • Scanned document or photo in JPEG format (jpg, jpeg)
  • Microsoft Word document (doc, docx)
  • Rich Text document (rtf)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint document (ppt, pptx)
  • Scanned document or photo in TIFF format (tif, tiff)
  • Bitmap Image (bmp)
  • Portable Document Format (pdf)
  • Scanned document or photo in PNG format (png)

The cost of a resident parking permit varies. You must pay for the permit by debit or credit card when you apply or renew online. 

Zones A, B, C, E, F & G (limited to one permit per property)

Length of TimeCost 
3 Months£63
6 months£115
12 months£210

Zones H, J, K, L, M, N, P, T, V, W and X (limited to a maximum of two permits per property)

Permit TypeLength of TimeCost
First Permit3 months£47
6 months£84
12 months£157
Second Permit3 months£63
6 months£115
12 months£210

Zones RR and Z (limited to a maximum of two permits per property)

Permit TypeLength of TimeCost
First Permit3 months£31
6 months£58
12 months£105
Second Permit3 months£47
6 months £84
12 months£157

Parking permits for zones Y and YY will be provided free of charge until 30 November 2025.

To change the details that are registered on an existing paper permit please follow these steps

  1. Register for a resident account on our online portal.
  2. Call our Customer Contact Centre who will upgrade your paper permit to a virtual permit.

There is no additional charge and your virtual permit will have the same expiry date as your current paper permit. Your virtual permit will be available instantly as we do not have to post it to you.

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