How it Works
Ending the Frustration of Paying for Parking
The National Parking Platform is helping to modernise parking by creating the digital infrastructure that allows multiple approved parking app providers to operate across participating locations. Instead of each local authority relying on a single provider, the NPP supports a more open model that gives drivers greater choice, encourages innovation and makes it easier for councils to take part in a growing national platform.
What is the National Parking Platform (NPP)?
- It’s not an App!
The NPP is an agnostic platform designed to simplify parking for everyone.
It integrates various parking services and technologies to provide a seamless experience for users. It is not an app but a system that operates behind existing parking apps, linking them to a wide range of car parks and on-street parking across the UK. This means drivers can use their preferred parking apps at any participating car park, creating a consistent and convenient parking experience.
The NPP started as an initiative by the Department for Transport and has since evolved into a not-for-profit company. It is governed by a board of elected representatives, including Local Authorities, Service Providers, and the British Parking Association. This collaborative governance model ensures the platform remains responsive to stakeholder needs and continues to develop based on user feedback.
How does the tech work?
The technology behind the NPP connects participating local authorities with approved parking service providers through a shared platform.
This means the parking location, tariff and session information can be managed in a consistent way, allowing drivers to pay through one of several approved apps rather than being limited to a single option. It is a smarter, more connected approach that supports a better experience for users while making it easier to scale across different areas.
What does APDS cover?
The NPP is built using the Alliance for Parking Data Standards (APDS), an internationally recognised data standard designed to support consistency across parking systems. APDS helps define how key parking information is structured and shared, including locations, tariffs, payments and parking sessions. By using a common standard, the NPP can support interoperability, make integration easier and create a stronger foundation for future innovation.
The people behind the National Parking Platform.
NPP Board of Directors
Contact the board get-started@npp.uk.net
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Choose your favourite, trusted parking app from the list of providers already connected to the NPP.
Join the Network
Local Authority, Connected Supplier, or Parking Professional?
Join the NPP today and simplify cashless parking.
