Using the Richmond Card for parking

Residents can get up to 30 minutes free parking or discounted parking sessions with a Richmond Card.

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How it works

If you live in the borough and hold a Richmond Card, you can get 30 minutes free parking in our:

• Pay and Display parking bays
• Council-owned car parks

You can only park for a single session for a period of up to 30 minutes. If you wish to park for longer you must pay for the total duration of your stay.

You can take advantage of free 30 minute parking sessions throughout the day, but they must start at least one hour apart. Parking machines will not accept a free booking unless one hour has elapsed since your last free session. You can however, still pay for your parking during this time.

Resolve a problem

You may find a solution to a Richmond Card issue in our frequently asked questions.

Using your card

Your Richmond Card can be used for either 30 minutes free parking OR discounted resident parking (if you have a Band A vehicle).

You will need to decide which discount you want to use when you use the parking machine. The table below gives detailed instructions on how to get discounted resident parking.

How to use the parking machine

Parking type	How to use	Other information
30 minutes free parking	Insert your Richmond Card. Please wait whilst it connects to server The display screen will show if free time is available on your card for a stay of up to 30 minutes. Press the GREEN button for a stay of up to 30 minutes. Your ticket will be printed. Clearly display your ticket in your vehicle.	Parking is free for stays of up to 30 minutes. If you need to park for longer then you will need to pay for the entire stay. After a free 30 minute parking session your card will be temporarily ‘locked’ and you will be prevented from getting another free 30 minute session for one hour from the start of the first free period. If you go over the 30 minutes, you may be likely to receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Paid sessions within the locked period are possible and discounts will be applied to any paid session.
Band A vehicle discount	Insert your Richmond Card and wait a few moments for the machine to read your card. Machine will show maximum stay Press the BLUE + button to select the length of time you wish to stay. Take out your Richmond Card. Make payment using any of the methods below: With coins (please note that the machines do not give change) A debit/credit card Press the GREEN button. Your ticket will be printed.	Residents with Band A vehicles (with emissions of 100g/km or under) will be charged 50 per cent of normal charge. You can also check online if your vehicle is a Band A using the DVLA vehicle check. Parking is free for stays of up to 30 minutes. If you need to park for longer then you will need to pay for the entire stay. After a free 30 minute parking session your card will be temporarily ‘locked’ and you will be prevented from getting another free 30 minute session for one hour from the start of the first free period. If you go over the 30 minutes, you may be likely to receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Paid sessions within the locked period are possible and discounts will be applied to any paid session. Therefore when you place your card in the parking machine, you will receive a parking ticket (sticker) that will have an A marked on it. If you have recently changed to/from a Band A car, please notify us by email richmondcard@richmond.gov.uk or telephone 020 8891 1411 us to re-issue you a new card.

Parking discounts with RingGo

If you live in the borough and have a RingGo cashless parking account, you can get 30 minutes free parking in our Pay and Display parking bays. Find out how to get a parking discount with RingGo.

Changes from 1 July 2024

From Monday 1 July 2024, we will no longer be offering Richmond Card holders the following discounts:

• 10% parking discounts
• 20% parking discounts for residents over 75 years of age

We will continue to offer:

• Free 30-minute short stay parking
• 50% parking discounts for those with Band A vehicles (low CO2 emissions below 100g/km)