School Streets exemptions
We want to encourage everyone to avoid driving into School Streets during the restricted hours.
During school holidays and half term breaks, School Street signs will remain visible, but ANPR camera enforcement will be suspended (it is not a statutory requirement to cover the signs).
Eligibility
School Streets exemptions are separate from Controlled Parking Zone permits and other camera enforced traffic reduction schemes, and one does not cover the other. School Streets are access restrictions and CPZs are parking restrictions.
To enter a School Street during its operating hours, you need a specific School Streets exemption permit. Please note, an exemption for one School Streets does not cover any other School Streets location.
Having a permit for the relevant CPZ or a virtual exemption a specific location other traffic reduction schemes or a valid blue badge will not permit you to enter a School Streets during the hours of operation - unless you have applied for and been granted School Street exemption too, you will face the risk of incurring a penalty charge notice (PCN).
Who can apply
The following drivers can apply for exemption to these restrictions for their vehicles:
- Residents and businesses within the School Street (up to 2 vehicles per address)
- Blue badge holders visiting a property in the School Street
- WAND card holders attending school in the School Street
- Care workers serving a property within the School Street
- Taxis (private hire) serving a property within the School Street
Emergency vehicles, Council waste trucks, school buses and school transport and taxis (Hackney carriages only) serving properties in the School Street will also be exempt.
Exemptions may be withdrawn if we obtain or receive evidence that an exemption is being misused, for example if a motorist with an exemption drives or parks in breach of other laws or regulations within the School Street. In such cases, drivers will be notified by email of the withdrawal of their exemption.
Who cannot apply
The following drivers cannot apply for exemption (unless eligible under one of the criteria above) and will be liable to a penalty charge notice if they enter the School Street during the operational times:
- Residents living outside the School Street
- Parents/carers dropping off/collecting children at the school
- Friends and relatives of residents in the School Street
- Tradespeople
- Delivery vehicles
All non-essential visitors, services and deliveries (eg food deliveries and non-emergency tradespeople visits) should be arranged for outside of School Street times.
Before you apply
If you meet one of the criteria for exemption, you can apply by completing the relevant form below at least 48 hours (two working days) before entering the School Street (excluding bank holidays and weekends).
Evidence
When applying you must supply evidence confirming your name, address (within the School Street) and vehicle registration number.
Accepted documents include:
- Residence or employment (e.g. valid rateable business card)
- Vehicle ownership (e.g. V5C)
- Valid vehicle insurance documents
- Valid vehicle hire/lease agreement (e.g. company letter - a typed letter on company headed paper, signed by your employer and dated within the last three months. The letter must include: your name and address, and the vehicle's make and registration number or hire contract)
Blue Badge holders, healthcare professionals and carers can also apply for long term exemptions.
Blue Badge holders applying for a long a term exemption should provide the front and rear images of their blue badge.
Healthcare professionals (e.g. district nurses or immunisation teams) applying for long-term exemption should email schoolstreets@wandsworth.gov.uk ahead of entering the restricted area.
Carers (professional and non-professional) applying for a long a term exemption should provide an image of their carer ID badge and a letter from the School Street resident confirming their services.
Exceptional deliveries and emergency call-outs
We are aware that in some cases exceptional circumstances will require a driver to enter during the operation hours of the School Streets.
These drivers must provide the reason for application by selecting ‘Other’ in the drop-down menu and specify the date of entry required. This date should be at least 48 hours ahead of making the application.
If a vehicle has entered under exceptional circumstances without submitting for exemption first, they should email schoolstreets@wandsworth.gov.uk before 5pm on the day of entry to avoid a PCN. This also applies if you intend to enter within 48 hours.
Exceptional circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis and could include the following:
- Emergency call outs (i.e. burst water pipes, gas leaks, emergency statutory undertaker works etc)
- Heavy deliveries (i.e appliances or building materials)
- Emergency deliveries (i.e. refrigerated or timed medication)
Proof of eligibility can include an invoice or job schedule to confirm delivery time and address.
Taxis and essential delivery drivers can also apply for single day exemptions.
Taxi driver applying for a single day exemption should provide their Taxi License ID and email evidence, instruction or route number in the case of SEN or social services arranged transport to schoolstreets@wandsworth.gov.uk.
Delivery drivers or other essential visitors applying for a single day exemption should provide a letter, contract or invoice from the School Street resident, business or school confirming their services.
In exceptional circumstances some drivers may need to apply less than 48 hours before entering the restricted area or after entering. In this instance, please email schoolstreets@wandsworth.gov.uk with the following information, before 5pm on the day you entered:
- School Street you entered
- Date you entered
- Vehicle Registration Number (VRM) that entered
- Reason for entering without exemption
- Proof of eligibility (i.e. service/delivery/job schedule)
Notifications received by us later than 5pm on the day of entering the School Street will need to follow the statutory appeals process, if a PCN is issued.
Submit your application
Complete the exemption form for the following School Streets:
- Beatrix Potter Primary School Street - WSI
- Belleville School Street (Meteor Street) - WS30
- Belleville School Street (Webb’s site) - WS29
- Bolingbroke Academy School Street - WS33
- Brandlehow School Street - WS28
- Earlsfield Primary School Street - WS3
- Floreat Wandsworth Primary School - WS32
- Furzedown Primary School Street - WS4
- Heathmere School Street - WS27
- Hillbrook Primary School Street - WS5
- Penwortham Primary School Street - Penwortham Road - WS6
- Penwortham Primary School Street - Pretoria Road - WS7
- Roehampton Church School Street - WS16
- Sellincourt Primary School Street - WS18
- St Anselm's Catholic Primary School Street - WS20
- St Michael’s Primary School Street - WS26
- Tooting Primary School Street - WS22
There is a separate process to apply for an exemption for:
After you apply
Applications are validated before final approval. It can take up to 48 hours to process your application and for your vehicle registration number to be added to the exemption list, so it is important that you do not travel through the restriction point until after this time period. After you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email which acts as your virtual permit.
There is no need to display this in your vehicle.
We will only contact you if we need clarity or additional information in relation to your application. If you do not hear from us after 48 hours of submitting, your application was successful, and you may enter the School Street.
Changing your vehicle
If you have changed your vehicle registration you must amend your exemption accordingly by making a new application.
When asked if your application is to replace a vehicle you have previously registered for exemption, please enter the registration to be removed in the relevant text box.
Help with your application
It is the driver's responsibility to ensure the form is completed correctly.
If you are unable to complete the exemption form, or need assistance, please email schoolstreets@wandsworth.gov.uk.
Use of your information
Under the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, Wandsworth Borough Council is the controller of your personal information.