Exact fine for breaking age limit rule at Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrison revealed

Motorists have been told how much money they could be fined for breaking a little-known supermarket car park rule. Experts have stressed road users risk financial penalties if they park in the wrong bays with age restrictions in place at major brands such as Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.

Almost every store in the country has dedicated parent and child parking bays, which should only be used by certain motorists. The rules usually state that only parents or guardians of children under 12 years of age can use the dedicated bays. Anyone breaking the rules and using the bays unnecessarily could be caught out with experts warning that a three-figure fine is likely.

Experts at EMG Motor Group explained: “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.”

A previous study put together by Confused.com has found that more than half (57%) of UK drivers have witnessed someone without children parking in a parent and child bay. Meanwhile, the study, conducted through a poll of 2,000 UK adults, found almost 1 in 10 without a child under 13 openly admitting to misusing the dedicated bays.

However, this was causing a nightmare for some, with 40% of parents polled admitting they have previously decided to leave a car park simply because they are unable to find a space.

However, specialists warn that any financial penalties received in private car parks were a private matter with no legal rule against stopping in parent and child bays in force.

EMG Motor Group added: “No, 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 (Parking Charge Notice), the same as if you incorrectly used 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.”