Many supermarkets enforce a lesser-known rule that could see drivers facing a £100 fine (Image: Getty)
Motorists have been offered a tip that could help them the next time they visit their .
Whilst many drivers feel the most confident when travelling on familiar routes, such as the drive to the shops, many have unknowingly broken found in .
The vehicle retailer highlighted that parent and child parking spaces often enforce a that could lead to serious penalties.
They explained: “There is no law against parking in a parent and child parking space without a child under 12 with you, but you are risking a PCN [Penalty Charge Notice], the same as if you incorrectly use a disabled parking bay.
“This is because the car parks are usually owned privately, for example by supermarkets, and so they enforce rules allowed by their Accredited Trade Association (ATA) status.”
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Parent and child parking spaces are usually placed in convenient spaces and have wider bays (Image: Getty)
Parent and child parking spaces are typically located close to the supermarkets to prevent young occupants from having to cross a busy space full of moving vehicles and can also be somewhat larger, making them easier to use a pushchair in.
However, despite there being no exact law on which drivers are able to use them, the majority of supermarkets enforce a rule stating that they should only be parked in if the driver is accompanied by a child under the age of 12.
Motorists who break this rule could face a PCN, which could be as high as £100 in most cases. However, one motorist was hit with a fee of £260 for the mistake in 2023.
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EMG Motor Group recommended that drivers always check the signs stating the rules before entering the supermarket to prevent the large fines.
They advised: “If you’re confused as to the rules in a particular car park, it’s worth checking with the store or destination that you’re parking at, so that you don’t risk a fine, which could be up to £100, being slapped on your windscreen.”
Motorists who are unsure whether they can park in a parent and child space should leave their vehicle in a standard space and talk to a member of staff inside the store.