Visitor scratchcards
Who can apply?
If you live in the borough and need a permit for your visitors
to park their vehicle on-street or on an estate managed by Tower
Hamlets Homes you can apply for visitor scratchcards. Only one
application can be made at the property, unless you or another
occupant has a daily carer.
What proofs are required?
To qualify for visitor scratchcards, you will have to complete
the application form and provide the following:
If you are not the person liable for council tax, please refer
to Section 7 of the application form to see what other proofs
we accept.
If you are unable to meet the above criteria you will not
qualify for a permit. However, if you would like us to consider
your circumstances you must write to Parking Permits, PO Box 62475,
London E14 1GL or email us at permits@towerhamlets.gov.uk
We will respond to your letter within five working
days.
Permit fraud
Tower Hamlets Council wishes to prevent fraudulent applications.
If you know of or suspect parking permit fraud, call 020 7364 6945
or email us on parking.fraud@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
All reports are treated in strictest
Change in details
If you change your name or address you will have to make a new
application and provide the relevant proofs.
How to use the scratchcard
To validate a scratch card you must only scratch out one box in
each section labelled date, hours and minutes (time of arrival) and
month. Please note this is a 12-hour clock.
Only one scratch card can be displayed within a vehicle at any
given time. If more than one scratchcard is displayed they will be
rendered invalid and a PCN may be issued.
When and where to use a scratchcard
Each scratchcard is valid from Monday to Friday for up
to five hours on-street only in the mini-zone printed on this
scratchcard in parking bays signed:
- Resident Permit Holders Only
- Permit Holders Only
- Permit Holders or Pay at Machine
On Saturday and Sunday one scratchcard is valid all day, up
until midnight.
Scratchcards are also valid on an estate managed by Tower
Hamlets Homes for parking in a designated visitor’s bay. The
controlled parking times on each estate may vary so you must comply
with these controlled parking hours. Failure to comply with the
controlled hours may result in the vehicle being towed away.
The scratchcard is not valid for parking in bays signed
differently to those above.
Displaying a scratchcard and resident parking permit
If you display a valid visitor scratch card together with your
resident parking permit you cannot use your three hours
concession to prolong your stay in another zone, as the period of
permitted parking will end when the time on the visitor scratch
card expires.
If you intend to use a scratch card and park for more
than five hours in another zone on weekdays you will have to
use more than one scratch card.
How much do visitor scratchcards cost?
Scratchcards cost £10 a book. Each book has 10 cards which are
valid for up to five hours. You are entitled to buy up to 24
books in a rolling 12 month period.
Each scratchcard expires one year after the date of printing,
and the expiry date is printed on each scratchcard.
No refunds will be given for unused, damaged or expired
scratchcards.
60 and over
To qualify for free scratchcards you must provide one of the
following:
- Freedom Pass
- Passport
- Pension Letter
- Driving Licence
- Birth Certificate
Daily carer
You will only qualify for free scratchcards if the person
providing care lives at a different address and drives a car. You
must also provide one of the proofs below:
- Attendance Allowance Award Letter at the lower or higher rate
for the current year, and a photocopy of the carers UK Registration
Certificate (V5C) or insurance documents showing their
address.
- Disability Living Allowance Care Component Award Letter at the
lower, middle or higher rate for the current year and a photocopy
of the carers UK Registration Certificate (V5C) or insurance
documents showing their address.
How and where can I apply?
All new applications must be made in person
If you wish to pay by debit or credit card you can visit your
local One Stop Shop.
Download the visitor
scratchcards application form (pdf, 105 kb)
Please note that all
scratchcards are sent out in the post and you will not be able to
get them over the counter. Allow plenty of time for them
to arrive (normally within 5 days) and do not let yourself run out
if you know you are going to need them.
Complaints
Further enquiries
Parking Services
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 1BY
Parking Helpline: 020 7364 5003 (Open: Monday to Friday from 8am
to 8pm, Saturday from 8am to 4pm)
Fax number: 020 7364 6797
Email:parking@towerhamlets.gov.uk