Supermarket shoppers warned over parent and child car parking rules which could get you a fine

Drivers are being warned about parent and child car parking rules in supermarkets - and when they could get a fine.

Motoring experts have highlighted the fact that parent and child parking bays have an age limit. 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 that is under 12 years old. 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."

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Andrew Jervis, from automotive company ClickMechanic, says it’s worth knowing the guidelines on who can use the bays so you don’t deny a space to parents in greater need, reports BirminghamLive. He said: "The rules on parent and child spaces can be a little unclear and often depend on the individual operator. But a good rule of thumb is that you must be a parent or guardian with at least one child under the age of 12 on board to qualify to park in these bays.

"It’s not illegal to break these ‘rules’ but you could be hit with a parking charge notice (PCN), which can be issued for parking offences on private property." He further explained: "If you have restless kids in the back of the car and are doing laps of a car park just to find a space, seeing someone without young children brazenly reversing into one of these special bays before you is infuriating.

"But getting into a row about it is definitely not a good idea. Far better to report them to the store or car park manager and let them deal with it instead. Unfortunately, there are always some people willing to break the rules and it’s not just parents who suffer – some even take it upon themselves to misuse disabled parking spaces which could also incur a penalty charge notice."