Monitoring system and method

A monitoring system (1) for determining compliance with parking rules and for charging for parking events. A controller (2) includes a detection module for detecting a parking event associated with a vehicle (4), geospatial positioning module for determining a geospatial position of the vehicle (4) and a memory module on which is stored databases of parking locations and associated parking rules, rates and fines and biometric data relating to authorised drivers of the vehicle (4). The system (1) is configured to detect a parking event, determine a geospatial position of the vehicle (4), retrieve from the database parking rules associated with the determined geospatial position and to determine based on the parking rules whether the vehicle (4) is permitted to park. If the vehicle (4) is not permitted to park in the determined position, the system (1) notifies the driver of one or more of the alternative parking positions or the system (1) retrieves from the database the relevant fine and issues the fine to an account associated with the driver or the vehicle (4). A biometric sensor can capture data for driver biometric recognition. Images captured from around the vehicle at the time of parking can also be stored.