Parking Enforcement

East Lothian offers a range of parking facilities to accommodate the needs of residents, businesses and visitors.

Parking restrictions

The majority of streets in East Lothian enjoy unrestricted parking and these are generally located in residential or rural areas. In busier town centre locations, parking and loading/unloading restrictions have been introduced to address road safety issues, keep primary traffic routes free-flowing and support economic growth by encouraging parking turn-over.

On 23 January 2017, the Scottish Government granted East Lothian Council powers to introduce decriminalised parking enforcement in the County. NSL Services have been appointed to undertake enforcement of all parking restrictions covered by a traffic regulation order.

Such restrictions may include:

  • yellow lines
  • time-limited parking bays
  • loading bays
  • disabled bays
  • car charging bays
  • resident parking
  • coach parking
  • bus stops
  • parking at schools

To avoid receiving a £100 penalty charge notice (PCN) drivers should comply with the restrictions indicated by the signs and lines displayed on the street.

There are four parking holidays in the calendar year where parking is unlimited. These dates are Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and 2 January.

Dangerous or obstructive parking

If there are no parking restrictions in the street, our Parking Attendants will be unable to carry out any enforcement. In this situation contacting Police Scotland is recommended. They may consider the vehicle(s) to have been left in a dangerous / obstructive position which is in contravention of Section 22 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the police have the authority to take action. You can contact them on their non-emergency telephone number - 101.