Drivers warned over car park 'age limit' for Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons

Motorists could be caught out by a supermarket car park age limit rule when stopping their car at major UK stores such as Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons. According to the RAC, parent and child parking bays are reserved solely for parents and guardians travelling with individuals under the age of 12.

Motorists who break the rules could be slapped with a hefty Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) in a major blow. Experts stress that disabled drivers should avoid stopping in the bays, while pregnant women should check before assuming. Parent and child bays are often wider than traditional parking spaces, offering more room to open car doors and load shopping.

The RAC said: "Parent and child bays are reserved for parents or guardians with one or more children under 12 years old. It's unclear whether pregnant women can use the spaces and probably best to ask an individual store manager what their rules are.

"While it isn't illegal to park in a parent and child bay if you don't have a child under 12 with you, you could be hit with a Parking Charge Notice (PCN). Disabled drivers should use the dedicated bays for blue badge holders."

Previous data has suggested that as many as one in 10 motorists in the UK have admitted to parking their car in a parent and child parking space despite not having a child under 12 with them at the time. Drivers caught misusing the bays could be hit with a fine of up to £100 in a costly loss for visiting a store.

The penalty charge will usually be issued by private parking management companies hired by stores to monitor their car parks. It means the fines are a civil matter with police unlikely to get involved and issue criminal Penalty Charge Notices.

As the fine is paid to a private company, it means motorists can choose to dispute or appeal the fine if they feel hard done by.

EMG Motor Group said: "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."