Diplomatic Parking Bays

Diplomatic parking bays are dedicated parking bays for use by diplomatic registered vehicles; those displaying a ‘***D***’ or ‘***X***’ Vehicle Registration Mark and the diplomatic mission’s ‘flag vehicle’. Diplomatic parking bays are delineated on the road with a diagonal white cross and will be accompanied by signage stating that the parking is restricted to diplomatic vehicles.  These bays are for the use of the diplomatic or consular mission, or international organisation, to which they have been allocated. Diplomatic registered vehicles must not be parked in diplomatic parking bays allocated to another diplomatic or consular mission, or international organisation, without their express permission. Drivers or owners of vehicles parked in diplomatic parking bays allocated to another mission must move them when requested to do so. Should missions or international organisations be unable to identify the owner of a diplomatic registered vehicle parked in their allocated bay, they should contact the Protocol Directorate for details of the mission (NV A237-17 refers). Parking a vehicle in a diplomatic parking bay without it displaying a diplomatic Vehicle Registration Mark may lead to a penalty charge notice being issued by the local authority. Missions and international organisations should report directly to their local authority any vehicles carrying standard registration plates that are parked in their allotted bay(s).

Applying for a Diplomatic Parking Bay

 When no alternative private off-street parking is available, local authorities may install diplomatic parking bays near to the premises of diplomatic and consular missions, international organisations or head of mission residences. Diplomatic parking bays can only be installed where there is availability of standard parking bays to convert to diplomatic, or where there is adequate alternative space. Diplomatic parking bays are installed according to functional need and are allocated based upon a ratio of one bay for every five diplomatic agents appointed to the mission, up to a maximum of five diplomatic parking bays.

 Applications for the installation of diplomatic parking bays should be made directly to the relevant local authority, for which a fee is usually payable; depending on the local authority, this fee may exceed £4,000. Before installing a bay the local authority must make a change to the Traffic Management Order that governs the road in which the bay is to be located. In order to change the Traffic Management Order, and make it legally enforceable, the local authority must conduct a formal consultation of local residents and elected officials. Providing there are no objections to the proposed installation of a diplomatic parking bay, the local authority will make the changes to the Traffic Management Order, install the diplomatic parking bay and erect relevant signage. In the event that an application is unsuccessful, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office cannot compel a local authority to reconsider.