Drivers to be able to pay for parking using just ONE app under new Government plans

The new system will work in private and council car parks

Once fully rolled out, the new 'National Parking Platform' will mean you can use a single app to book parking at lots of different car parks. This shared technology will underpin a number of new and existing apps – so you'll be able to just pick whichever app you prefer.

The system is being developed and run by parking trade body the British Parking Association (BPA), though parking payment apps JustPark, PayByPhone and RingGo have all been involved in the process.

The platform will work for all motorists, not just car users, and you'll be able to use it in both private AND council-run car parks – provided operators sign up to it.

The Government describes it as a "one app fits all parking platform" that aims to reduce confusion and the risk of getting penalty charge notices from councils or 'fines' from private parking firms that come from having to use differing apps that may be cumbersome to use.

But it's very early days and it needs to be rolled out more widely

Following trials, the new system is now being used by 10 local authorities and is handling over half a million transactions a month, according to the Government. It adds that the scheme will be rolled out to more local authorities "imminently" – though neither the Government nor the BPA could give us firm dates.

According to motoring body the RAC, the availability of the platform and getting as many parking operators as possible to sign up to it are "key" to the scheme making life easier for drivers.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: "Ten local authorities taking part is a good start, but drivers wherever they are in the country should be allowed to use whatever mobile app they want."

There are also no guarantees that all apps under the scheme will be free to download, with the BPA telling us that app providers are "responsible for the download conditions of their apps".

If you think you've been given an unfair parking ticket, see our guides on Council parking ticket appeals and Fighting private parking tickets, and the Parking tickets, fines & parking board on the MSE Forum.