What You Need to Know to Avoid a penalty notice

A common mistake is selecting the first zone suggested in the app, which may not match the actual parking location. The risk increases if the app is activated after walking away from the car, as your location might be inaccurately detected.

How to avoid this:
Activate the parking zone in the UNIPARK app while you’re next to or inside your car. Double-check the zone number using nearby road signs or parking lot information. Also, allow the UNIPARK app to access your device’s location – this helps ensure the app suggests the correct zone based on where you are.

Instead of reading all the information on the parking signs, users often rely only on the color. For example, a blue UNIPARK sign may be mistakenly interpreted as the “blue zone.”

How to avoid this:

When selecting a parking zone in the UNIPARK app, always read the full information displayed on the road signs – color alone is not enough.

After joining UNIPARK Smart, it may seem that parking will be activated automatically everywhere. However, in all parking lots and zones, you still need to start parking manually.

How to avoid this:
When signing up for UNIPARK Smart, make sure it is clearly stated whether parking activation in the app is not required in a specific parking lot. Even if you have UNIPARK Smart and do not need to pay for parking, the control system works only if the parking start and end are recorded in the app. Otherwise, the vehicle may be considered as parked without an active parking session, which may result in a higher-rate charge. In closed parking lots, you do not need to start or stop parking. Where barriers are installed, the system automatically records your entry and exit, so no additional action is required.

It may seem that disability permits grant the same benefits as in municipal zones, but private parking lots follow different rules. Common issues include:

• The permit is expired

• The permit is not clearly visible

How to avoid this:

Make sure your disability permit is valid, clearly visible, and check whether the specific parking lot offers any benefits for disabled drivers. Don’t assume that municipal rules automatically apply in private lots.

One of the most common mistakes is confusing the letter “O” with the number “0.” Another issue can occur when multiple license plates are saved in your account, and parking is activated for the wrong vehicle.

How to avoid this:

Before starting your parking session, make sure the displayed license plate number is correct. Double-check that the selected number in the UNIPARK app exactly matches the vehicle’s license plate before confirming the parking.

Some users mistakenly believe that parking in Parcomatic smart lots needs to be activated only when leaving. However, if parking is not started upon arrival, the stay is considered unpaid.

How to avoid this:

Start your parking session immediately upon arriving at the lot. When exiting, the system checks whether payment has been made and whether the time limit has not been exceeded.

It may seem sufficient to park an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid in a designated charging spot, but parking there is only allowed during active charging.

How to avoid this:
Connect your vehicle to the charging station and make sure charging is actively taking place throughout your entire stay.

Sometimes, the license plate is entered into the system after the vehicle is already parked. In such cases, if a control check takes place, the system may not yet recognize the vehicle as having valid parking rights.

How to avoid this:

If you have a parking contract with UNIPARK, make sure to add your vehicle’s license plate to the contract before arriving at the parking lot. This rule also applies to Parcomatic smart lots.

It’s a common mistake to assume you’ll leave within the free time limit and therefore don’t need to activate parking. Many also believe that the app should only be activated once the free time has expired.

How to avoid this:

Start your parking session as soon as you arrive – the system will automatically apply the free time. This helps you avoid increased rate fees if your parking session runs longer than expected.