Pay and Display
Charges apply Monday to Saturday including all Bank Holidays.
Follow these simple guidelines to use the machines properly:
- Have plenty of change for the machine before you set out (some older machines may not take £2 coins). Ticket machines do not give change.
- Read the information on the front of the machine or tariff board to ensure you are paying the correct amount as these vary between car parks and are subject to change.
- Ensure that the ticket is clearly visible on your vehicle before leaving.
- Leave plenty of time to get back to your vehicle. Parking Enforcement Wardens will not know whether you have been delayed and will issue an excess charge notice, which will only be cancelled in very exceptional circumstances.
- If a Pay and Display machine is not working, please try to find alternative parking or use another machine within the same car park/street if available. Where possible please report machine malfunctions using the help point which is located next to the Pay and Display machine (car parks only).
The Council’s car parks (with the exception of East Street) are open for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Charges apply between the hours of 8.00 am to 6.00pm. Monday to Saturday. HGV parking can be found at Chesnut Street.
Free parking is available after 6.00 pm and all day Sunday at all Council short stay and long stay car parks
View a Map of Town Centre car parks
You can now use your mobile phone to pay for your parking - visit our Park and Pay by phone pages to find out more.
On Street Parking
Generally, parking charges on designated streets in Darlington apply between the hours of 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday or Monday to Saturday.
It is advisable to check signs before parking. There is at least one Pay and Display ticket machine located in each designated street. Details of charges can be found on the machine.
Delivery vehicles can park without charge as long as they are actively loading/unloading to an adjacent property.
Motor Cycle Parking
There are various free spaces within the town centre car parks dedicated to motorcyclists. Motor cycles park free when attached to a secure parking stand in Abbott's Yard, Commercial Street, Beaumont Street, Garden Street or Barnard Street car parks.
Motor cycles parked elsewhere within a car park must pay the appropriate fee. Driver must retain pay and display ticket.
Parking a vehicle in a space intended for a motorcycle may result in an excess charge notice.
For further information on the location of these bays please contact (01325) 388740.
Parking Outside the Bay
Parking bays are clearly marked and allow enough room for most cars or vans. If any part of your vehicle is parked outside the bay, you are liable to get an excess charge notice. This is because poor parking can be a hazard to other road users and pedestrians and can prevent other people from getting a parking space. Please park considerately.
Double Yellow Lines
Parking on double yellow lines is not permitted at any time day or night – weekdays or weekends – not even for a few minutes. Double yellow lines denote an area where it can be dangerous to park, or where leaving your vehicle can be a hazard to other road users.
Generally, you cannot park on single yellow lines on any day between 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, although you should always check street signs for confirmation of regulations.
Crossing Points
Crossing points are provided where older people, disabled people, wheelchair users and people with prams and pushchairs should be able to cross safely and conveniently,
without obstruction.
Inconsiderate parking obstructs these crossing points. It is a safety hazard and is also an offence.
Taxi Ranks
It is illegal for any vehicle other than a Hackney Carriage to park on a taxi rank.
However, in some cases ranks may only be specified for taxis at specific times. It is therefore advisable to refer to the signs
Car Parking Fines
Appeals Procedure [PDF Document]
Payment of Excess Charge Notice
If you think you have received an excess charge unfairly, you can make an appeal in writing to the Council’s parking office at the address given on the excess charge notice.
An Officer of the Council will fairly assess your case and if the Excess Charge Notice (ECN) was wrongly issued, it will be cancelled with no payment needed. However, if the Council considers that the ECN was correctly issued, then we will write to you with the decision and the reasons.
Should you disagree with the decision given by the Council, you will have the opportunity to make one further appeal to a Parking Manager. If your appeal is dismissed, you will still have the opportunity to attend Court and give your views. If your appeal is dismissed by the courts we will seek to recover payment of the excess charge