We know how annoying it can be to have to use a different parking app each time you go to a different car park. That’s why we’re excited to share that a big change is here and it’s going to make parking across the UK much easier.

The National Parking Platform (NPP), officially launched on 21st May by Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for the Future of Roads, means you’ll be able to pick your favourite parking app (if you’re reading this, we hope it’s JustPark ) and use it almost everywhere you pay to park.

This government-backed initiative is now live in Buckinghamshire and is set to roll out in more locations across the UK in the future. It’s smart, simple, and designed to make parking work better for drivers.

Here is everything you need to know:

Why is the government rolling out the NPP?

The Department of Transport is backing the NPP rollout with the aim of making parking easier for drivers by removing the confusion of having to use different payment methods when trying to park in different parts of the country.

The goal instead is a user-friendly system that operates the same way everywhere across the UK. And the government, together with lots of others in the parking industry, believe that the best way to achieve this is by letting drivers themselves choose which app they prefer to pay with, rather than having to use the one the car park tells you to.

The NPP is essentially an open market for parking apps.

The idea has also been successfully implemented in other countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and the Nordics, and now the UK is bringing it to life.

How will NPP differ from the current situation?

Normally, local authorities have chosen their preferred app (or, in some cases, multiple apps) for their car parks. As a driver, this means you need to have the right app downloaded for each space you park in. Across the UK, this could involve juggling numerous apps, which can be frustrating.

With the NPP, you can simply pick your favourite app and stick with it.

How will I benefit from NPP as a driver? 

The big benefit is freedom of choice. You can stick with your go-to app you’re already using, whether you’re looking to get a last-minute space at a shopping centre, park on-street near your date night spot or book ahead of time for airport travel.

This simplifies your life because you won’t need a bunch of different apps cluttering your phone. Your smart move is to choose an app that covers various parking options, not just drive-up, so you don’t need separate apps for things like pre-booking parking spaces.

Are there any restrictions on which apps I can use?

All the apps that you currently use for drive-up and pay parking, including JustPark, are part of the NPP. So, if you already have one on your phone, then you’re ready to go.

How will I know when it’s introduced in my local area?

The NPP is expanding quickly. Right now, it’s live in Buckinghamshire, where JustPark lets you pay for hundreds of On-Demand parking spaces all through one easy-to-use app. Plus, with additional spaces available on private driveways and through local businesses, JustPark gives you more parking spaces in Buckinghamshire than any other app.

Keep an eye on JustPark’s channels or check your inbox for updates. You might also spot new signs at car parks showing the NPP logo – your cue that you can use JustPark there.