Staff Parking Permits - FAQs

How to apply for a permit? 

Our permit system is called PermitSmarti. Click here to register and apply for your permit. 

For queries about parking permit applications or the parking permit processing email: ncapermitsmarti@imperial.co.uk, ideally quoting your application or permit number.   

What supporting documents do I need to upload as part of my application? 

You’ll need supporting evidence in the form of confirmation emails from your line manager in relation to your work role, health and mobility and any carer commitments you may have. You will also need any auto emails you’ve received from PermitSmarti, who’ll advise or request this if not already provided. See the Parking Guidance document for types of proof document required and accepted. 

Is confirmation from my line manager enough proof for applications under health and mobility? 

Initially this is the required proof but if any additional information is required, this will be advised during making your application, or the PermitSmarti team or your local care organisation team will get in touch. 

Will the application system allow you to highlight a need for time-critical parking? 

The question responses in the application enable you to do this. 

We have several volunteers in our service, do they need a permit?

Volunteers also need to apply under the same PermitSmarti process and meet the criteria for a permit.  

My job role, working hours or details are changing soon – do I apply now or wait? 

Apply now with your current details. When your role changes, log in to your PermitSmarti account, cancel any permit which has been issued and then submit a new application with your updated details. 

If you live near the hospital (within a certain mileage) will you be eligible for a permit?  

Decisions are based on multiple combined criteria. If you live closer to points your points are lower, but you can increase these by changing travel behaviour on certain days, for example, reducing the number of days a week you are on site. 

Do Trust car lease users have priority for a permit?  

No. All applications are assessed under the same criteria, which is based on the need for vehicle use. 

How will you be assessing everyone for the parking permit application? 

Using the criteria agreed, based on your PermitSmarti application responses and information supplied. For more details see the Parking application criteria and Guide to apply for your permit documents.

How do I know if my application has gone through? 

PermitSmarti will contact you via email to acknowledge receipt of your application and to advise whether or not you have been successful in getting a permit. Logging back into your PermitSmarti account will also show where your application is up to. Please not that at some locations where permit applications are more than capacity available, your application may be awaiting review or on a waiting list for some time.

My employer is not listed as an option in account set up – what should I do? 

Double check the list of available employers carefully. You would usually choose the organisation paying your salary but if you are working in the NCA, you will need to select the Care Organisation or hospital site you spend most of your work time at. If you are employed by an NHS organisation that isn’t listed, choose ‘other NHS organisations’. If you do not work for an NHS organisation, select ‘Public organisations’. The employer you select will influence the permit type you are able to apply for.

How can I be sure my documents have been accepted or they have been uploaded successfully? 

PermitSmarti will email you with advice on what to do if your documents have not uploaded correctly. Logging back into your PermitSmarti account will also show where your application is up to and if documents have uploaded.

I’ve applied for a parking permit, but my application has not progressed and is awaiting manager verification. What should I do? 

All car parking applications may require line manager approval to ensure the details submitted are correct. This can be provided prior to or as part of the application. Otherwise, managers may be required to reply to an email sent by the PermitSmarti processing team to confirm details. Delays with line manager approval may result in delays processing applications.

If I have problems, issues or concerns when setting up my account or making a permit application who can help? 

The PermitSmarti team is available to for help and advice either at ncapermitsmarti@imperial.co.uk or during office hours on 01604 625608. 

I cannot see where to enter working pattern/hours if you work extra hours above your usual working week. Should you just put your standard working pattern? 

The first question ‘What is your usual or average working week?’ when you are applying gives you the opportunity to include regular additional hours. These will need to be confirmed by your line manager.  

I live in a newbuild property and there’s no option on the form to add an address manually as my postcode is not yet recognised. 

As many even incomplete newbuilds are showing postcodes, do first check that the land registry has recorded this. If so, the team will follow up with PermitSmarti. 

I don’t have a computer or I’m not good with computers – how do I fill in the application form? 

Speak to your line manager about getting help to complete the online application form. Alternatively, call the PermitSmarti team on 01604 625608 and they’ll be able to assist you. 

Does my parking permit need to be displayed? 

No, we are operating a virtual permit and voucher system now. Our parking teams can check to confirm if your vehicle has a valid permit, or a valid permit and activated daily voucher.

We are no longer printing parking permits, in order to reduce costs, so you will not receive a permit to place in your vehicle. If you have previously had a printed permit, it will also no longer be updated or replaced on renewal.

My current parking permit is due to expire soon, do I need to renew it? 

Salary based permits are issued for a 3-year period. Health & Mobility, Pay in Advance or Voucher permits are issued for a maximum 12-month period. A renewal reminder email will be sent to your PermitSmarti account email address prior to the expiry date. You will be able to renew your permit within 28 days of its expiry date.

Please follow the instructions on the email, within the date period advised.

If;

• you have already missed the date period
• not received an email by the permit expiry date;
• or are unable to renew your permit via your account;

Contact the PermitSmarti processing team via email (ncapermitsmarti@imperial.co.uk) quoting your permit number for help and advice.

I have a valid parking permit which is paid for monthly from my salary but I’m shortly going on extended leave for 12 months. Can I put my permit on hold until I return? 

You can temporarily suspend your permit for an extended period such as when going on maternity leave. Visit the ‘My Permits’ section of your PermitSmarti account, where you can suspend your parking permit for a specified period. Enter the date when you wish your permit to be reinstated. These details will then be sent to payroll early the following month.

I’ve been notified that my voucher permit application has been successful, but I haven’t yet received the paper copy. Do I need to activate a voucher before my permit arrives? 

Yes, you will need to activate a voucher each time you park and purchase vouchers in blocks of 10 before parking.

We are no longer printing parking permits, in order to reduce costs, so you will not receive a permit to place in your vehicle. If you have previously had a printed permit, it will also no longer be updated or replaced on renewal.

My contracted hours are 37.5 a week but I only work two days on site – does that mean I have to pay the full permit price? 

If you choose a permit paid by salary deduction the cost will be based upon your 37.5 hour working week. If you choose a voucher permit, you will only need to activate daily vouchers on the two days you are actually parked.

A colleague and I sometimes car share and other times work different days or shifts. Will we need two separate permits or can we share, as if we are on the same shift we do not drive separately? 

You will both need separate parking applications and permits. However, you can reduce the cost of these and gain extra points in your application by registering for LiftShare and confirming shared journeys using the Mobilityways app. See northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/myhub/corporate-services/estates-facilities/join-our-liftshare-community for more details.

I work remotely but visit all NCA sites at different times, some on the same day and I don’t always know until the day which site I’ll be at. What do I apply for? 

You should apply for a voucher permit to buy books of 10 vouchers in advance, rather than a monthly permit. Apply under the Care Organisation you are most often based at. No matter which Care Organisation your apply under, your vouchers will be valied across all NCA sites. Activate one when parking on a particular day.   

Will I be allocated to a specific parking zone? 

No, parking permits will be issued to cover parking at staff parking locations at your main hospital location, as well as the other NCA hospital locations. However, access will be limited to certain users at time-critical parking locations for which a time-critical parking permit is issued and also at the Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) at Salford Royal Hospital. For more details see the Parking Areas document.

Does a permit guarantee me a parking space? 

No, confirmation of a successful car parking application provides the applicant with the right to use the NCA staff car parking facilities, although this does not guarantee a parking space.

Will people working across sites be able to apply for a permit at their base and park on other sites as we did under the old arrangements? 

Yes, parking permits will be issued to cover parking at staff parking locations at your main hospital location, as well as the other NCA hospital locations. However, access will be limited to certain users at time-critical parking locations for which a time-critical parking permit is issued and also at the Multi Storey Car Park (MSCP) at Salford Royal Hospital. For more details see the Parking Areas document.

I pay for parking at another Greater Manchester Hospital trust – do I need to apply and pay for a permit to park at NCA staff car parks as well? 

Should you wish to use NCA’s hospital car parking facilities and you hold a valid parking permit with another Greater Manchester NHS Trust such as Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, you will be given a free parking permit upon a successful NCA car parking application. Evidence of your existing valid permit and payment will need to be uploaded at the time of applying.                                               

How much will the permit cost me?

The charging scheme is based on a tiered system that considers both your working hours and your banding level. For further details of the revised charges see tables below.

Monthly permit charges from June 1 2025

Pay in advance – permit prices  (introduced for colleagues on rotation)

•1-month = £38.68

•3-month = £116.03

•6-month = £232.05

•12-month = £464.10

Daily eVoucher rates (must apply before purchasing)

£1.81 per voucher from June 1 2025

Can I pay monthly?

You can choose to pay for your permit through salary deduction, if you work for an NHS Trust which allows this, which means the cost will be split into monthly instalments. If you choose to pay in advance or are not eligible for salary deduction, the permit price will need to be paid in full via card payment prior to issue. See Guide to apply for your permit document for payment options

Is there any difference in price for colleagues who have disabilities?

Free parking is available for blue badge holders as required by Department of Health and Social Care, if an application is made and proof document provided, but all other users need to pay for parking.

Junior doctors are not paid according to the Agenda for Change pay bands. What will doctors be expected to pay?

Pay band codes including those for junior doctors, are detailed in the pricing information, with most in the Band 5 to 7 and 8a to 8d charging levels.

If you are directly employed by the NCA, St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Pennine Care Foundation Trust and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, you will have the option

• A 3-year parking permit with payment by monthly salary deduction. This permit can be cancelled at any time.
• A 3-, 6- or 12-month parking permit, paid in advance by card.
• A voucher permit account to purchase e-vouchers in bundles of 10 for more occasional/ irregular parking use. These will need to be activated via the PermitSmarti system (by mobile phone or internet) on the day of parking.

Colleagues employed by other NHS organisations including NHS Professionals, will have the options of:

A 3-, 6- or 12-month parking permit, to be paid in advance by car
A voucher permit account to purchase e-vouchers in bundles of 10 for more occasional/ irregular parking use. These will need to be activated via the PermitSmarti system (by mobile phone or internet) on the day of parking.

How do I appeal if my permit application is rejected? 

Colleagues whose parking permit applications have been unsuccessful and not met the required criteria are advised by email to their PermitSmarti account.

The email sent will indicate one of the following:

If the unsuccessful application was close to meeting the required criteria, an options to appeal and provide additional information in relation to answers provided will be offered.

If the unsuccessful application was not close to meeting the required criteria, the decision of the review is final – no further appeals will be heard in relation to the application. If circumstances change markedly a new parking application should be submitted detailing any new and relevant information, from a date 3 months subsequent at the earliest.

If Offered, How to appeal 

• Should you believe you have a genuine reason for appeal, complete the appeal in full according to its instructions and return it within 21 days to the PermitSmarti processing team A decision on the outcome of the appeal will be made and the parking permit processing team will either issue a permit or confirm the appeal has been unsuccessful.
• You as the applicant, must lodge an appeal using available option. Your appeal must have the support of your direct line manager.
• All appeals should be submitted to the required email address by the applicant along with any evidence/confirmations to support the appeal. No in-person appeals will take place.
• The decision of the appeals panel is final – no further appeals will be heard in relation to your application. If your circumstances markedly change a new parking application should be submitted also detailing any new and relevant information, from a date 3 months subsequent at the earliest.

What are my alternative options?

For further information about other travel choices, please see:

• Travel Choices when working for us (northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/patient-information/car-parking/your-travel-choices-when-working-us)
• Car Sharing – Join the NCA LiftShare community to share journeys and parking with colleagues (northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/myhub/corporate-services/estates-facilities/join-our-liftshare-community)

For night working:

A parking application and a valid permit are not required for those parking at night only between 19:00 (7pm) and 07:00 (7am).