Mum sparks debate after watching woman use parent and child bay with teenager

A mum has sparked a debate on at what age parents should stop using parent and child parking spaces – she watched a woman park up in one with her teenage daughter

A mum has sparked a debate on when parents should stop using parent and child parking bays after watching a woman park up in one with her 14-year-old daughter.

While there is no legal limit on what age parents should stop using them, many stores adopt an ‘under 12s’ rules to ensure there’s enough spaces available for those who truly need them.

Speaking to Mumsnet, the woman explained how she watched another mum park up in a parent and baby space with her young teenager when popping into Tesco for her groceries. She said: “Saw a woman with a young teen (about 14-years-old) use a parent and child space at Tesco.

“I also saw a family with a baby using a normal space. At what age is it unreasonable to use the parent and child spaces on a car park?”

While many users agreed they should be reserved for toddler mums or heavily pregnant women, others admitted to using the spaces well after their child’s 12th birthday.

One user said: “The signs nearly always say up to the age of five, and I think that’s about right.

“Once they’re out of prams and can get themselves in and out of their car seats/boosters then I think it’s taking the mick to carry on using the spaces.”

Another user added: “My mum did it with me a few weeks ago – I’m 24 and don’t even live at home anymore.”

A third user said: “I stopped using them when my children were three or four. There are always people with younger children/babies around who actually need the extra space to get out of the car.”

Another user added: “I am 49 and I use them when shopping with my 78-year-old mother. It takes her ages to get in and out of the car and so I park wherever makes it easier for her.”

While one more user sarcastically joked: “Doesn’t it depend on your car? I always thought that if you had a very expensive German car or posh 4×4 you didn’t even need kids? Well, that’s what I see anyway…”

As most parent and child parking bays are on private property – such as at supermarkets – there are no official government or council-level rules on them.

This means it is not illegal to park in a parent or child space with a child over 12-years-old or even without a child. However, drivers could face a Parking Charge Notice (PNG) in the same way they would if they overstayed in a car park.

A statement on confused.com reads: “The rules might vary between stores, but the general rule is: You can park in a parent and child bay if you’re visiting the store with a child that’s under 12 or in a car seat. If there’s any signage that says otherwise, go with that instead. If your child isn’t going to leave the car, then think about whether you really need to use the space.”

“Parking in a supermarket car park is managed and enforced by the supermarket itself, or by a private parking management company.

“We use the term ‘fine’ here, but in reality it’s an invoice. They’re not the same as Penalty Charge Notices (also, confusingly, PCN) that you’d get from the council for driving in a bus lane, for example.

“The main difference between the two is that Parking Charge Notices – the ones supermarket car parks use – aren’t backed up by law.”

When should parents stop using parent and children parking bays? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.