Persistent parents who park illegally outside of schools are being threatened with fines with a special spy car set to be put into operation.
The vehicle, fitted with cameras, will hit the streets in the coming weeks to target those who park on zig-zag or double yellow lines outside schools when dropping their children off.
The car is part of a road safety initiative by Nottinghamshire County Council which also includes further 20mph zones outside of schools.
The transport and highways committee voted to buy the specially-adapted vehicle after a successful trial in November.
The council said the more traditional methods of catching illegally-parked motorists - using traffic wardens - was inefficient and ineffective because parents tend to only park for a few minutes at a time.
But with the new vehicle now in place driving around Mansfield and Ashfield, badly-parked parents could be snapped without knowing as the CCTV car passes.
District and county councillor, Steve Garner, has warned parents not to get caught out.
He said: “It can drive anywhere, and it will be coming around.
“If you are six inches over the yellow line or just sat for a couple of minutes, the next you will know about it will be a letter.
“You won’t be able to fight it either, because I know I’ll get people from my ward coming to me asking to help them and I won’t be able to.
“I don’t want any of my residents getting a ticket, I’m sure it’s money they could spend elsewhere.
“However, safety has to come first, and parking around schools is a problem.
“It’s not like if you see a traffic warden, you can drive off.
“This vehicle will just go down the street, take a photo and you wouldn’t even know until you get the fine a few weeks later.”
The council says the primary purpose of using a car-based enforcement system is not to raise revenue but to address the problem of dangerous and inconsiderate parking near schools.
Those caught out will be given a £70 penalty notice.
However, this can be reduced by half if paid within 14 days.