US Parking Tips: Must Know Parking Rules, Fees and Payment Methods and 3 Useful Apps for Rental Cars and Drivers

Renting a car for self-driving travel in the United States, in addition toTraffic RulesFor foreign travelers, it is important to know the parking regulations and payment methods in the U.S., as well as route planning. In the U.S., there are many parking signs, and curb lines are painted in different colors to indicate different parking regulations. If you don't have a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. parking regulations, you will not only waste a lot of time looking for a parking space, but you may also be fined or towed because you parked in the wrong place. Parking regulations may vary from state to state and from city to city, so familiarizing yourself with common parking signs and fees, as well as making good use of parking apps, will surely make your driving trip in the U.S. smoother!

U.S. Parking Regulations｜Curb Markings, Curb Line Colors

Interpreting street parking signs

In Taiwan, on-street parking is usually marked with a grid so that people know exactly where they can park. In the U.S., on-street parking does not always have a grid, but rather lines, crosses, or nothing in particular, and may vary from area to area. Parking regulations are mostly posted on signs (a few are written on the ground), and if there is no "No Parking" written on the road or a special color line painted on the curb, you can almost always park on the street. On the same stretch of road, there may be different rules. In this case, there will be two signs with "arrows" drawing the area in front of and behind them, indicating that the area in between belongs to the rules of this sign. Read the signs carefully before you park to avoid being fined or towed.

The following are common types of stop signs:

Curb Line Color

Similar to on-street parking in Taiwan, some roads in the U.S. will also have lines painted to inform users of parking permits, but they are different from those in Taiwan, so be sure to pay attention to the different colors of the rules below and don't try to break the law:

• red line: Parking is prohibited. Usually found near fire hydrants, sidewalks, and bus stop signs, you need to stay away from the red line when parking to avoid being towed.
• Yellow Line: Parking is prohibited and restricted to commercial areas for loading and unloading or picking up and dropping off passengers.
• Green Line: Parking is permitted, subject to time or conditions, as indicated by the signage on the sidewalk.
• white line (road markings): Short-term parking is permitted only to allow passengers to get in and out of the vehicle and the driver must remain in the vehicle.
• Blue Line: Parking is restricted to vehicles with relevant permits (e.g. barrier-free manuals), while other vehicles are prohibited from parking and may face fines or other penalties for non-compliance.

Notes on roadside parking:

In the United States, on-street parking regulations are complicated, and signs and notices vary from region to region. The information on these signs is all in English, which is not very friendly to foreign tourists. If there is no parking lot nearby and you can only park on the street, please pay attention to the following:

1. Parking does not mean it is free, you need to look at the price on the roadside meter.
2. Just because there is a pay machine doesn't necessarily mean you can park every time of the day or night, but look at the signs on the side of the road and there are many time limits.
3. Don't leave it to chance, parking in an accessible space has a minimum fine of $$250 in California!
4. Park your car at least 4.5 meters away from a fire hydrant, otherwise you will be fined or even towed away.
5. Resident Parking Permit is required for parking in certain residential areas, especially for visitors to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
6. No parking during certain hours on cleanup days in certain areas, e.g., 8-10 a.m. on Tuesdays
7. Be aware that parking is not allowed at bus stops, light rail stations and taxi pick-up areas.

Parking Fees and Charges in the United States

There are three main ways to park in the U.S., public or private parking lots, on-street parking, or valet parking. Each place has a different way of paying for parking, but nowadays most of them can be paid with credit cards or apps, so you don't have to look around for change, which is much more convenient.

Parking lot (public or private)

Pricing: Hourly, daily or per visit. In busier areas, half-hourly pricing may be available, and there may also be very large price differences between different time slots. Before entering the parking lot, it is recommended to check the fee sign to understand the fee standard.

Payment Methods: There are both manned and self-payment methods, and some unmanned parking lots will require you to download a special APP to pay online.

On-street parking

In the United States, if you are not in a city, you are mostly free to park on the side of the road, as long as there are no painted lines or signs on the side of the road. If there's no meter or any guidance on how to charge, then it's free. However, if there is a meter, don't leave things to chance, even if there is no meter maid on the spot. If you are caught parking overtime or not paying the meter, you may face high fines or be towed away, which is more trouble than it's worth!

The following are the three ways to pay for on-street parking:

• Chronograph (coin or credit card activated): There is one meter for each parking space and payment is required immediately after parking. Meters usually accept $0.25 US dollars (Quarter) in coins (some will accept $0.1 or $0.5, but usually not $0.01 in coins). Some of the newer parking meters also accept credit cards or mobile payments. After payment, the meter will show the remaining parking time. Sometimes you can check how much time is left for the previous person and then estimate how long you need to park, and if you exceed the time, you have to go back to the parking place and pay for extra time.
• Self-service Bill Payment Machines: One machine corresponds to multiple parking spaces. After parking, you need to go to the nearest payment machine to pay. Payment can be made in coins, by credit card or by mobile payment. After payment, the machine will print out a receipt showing the number of spots you can park in. Remember to place it in a conspicuous place on the front windshield of your car for verification by the inspector.
• Bill Payment AppSome on-street parking can be paid by APP (see the next paragraph) in addition to the meter. There is an "area code" on the on-street parking sign, and then you can choose how long you want to park and pay in advance. The advantage of using the app is that if you need to park for a longer period of time, you can directly add money to the app to extend the period.

valet parking

There is also valet parking at hotels, shopping centers, and performance venues, which is usually charged on a per visit basis. Prices vary from location to location, for example, in California, the cost of a single parking session ranges from $10 - $70, and some hotels offer free parking. Valet parking fees are usually paid in cash, and in some cases credit cards can be used. Visitors pay the fee to the parking counter when they pick up the car, and the other tip is given to the parking staff when they get the car back for US$$2 - US$5 in cash (or more if the service is better, to avoid giving the other party change).

3 Useful Apps for Parking in the U.S. Must Download! 

If in a large California city. San Francisco, Los Angeles, etc., renting a car for a trip or business trip is often a challenge and usually very expensive. In addition to using Google Maps to find places to park, you can also use local parking apps to find convenient, affordable parking.

ParkMobile -Mobile phone online payment, search parking lot

A parking app that can be used in major cities across the U.S. Whether it's on-street parking, in a public parking lot, or near an airport, this app can help travelers find parking space. The best part is that it supports mobile payment. Users can enter the parking zone number directly into the app and pay for their parking space without having to look for a parking meter or coins. In addition, travelers can extend their parking time through ParkMobile, and when they are about to exceed their original reservation time, they can directly add more time in the APP, which saves time and effort.

SpotHero -Reserve your parking space in advance for a better price.

The APP is focused on private parking lots, and is ideal for travelers who need to park for long periods of time, such as those planning a half day of sightseeing in the city, or heading to a concert or ball game. With SpotHero, travelers can search for parking lots near their destination, check prices, available time slots, and make reservations in advance to ensure they have a reserved space when they arrive, and SpotHero sometimes offers discounted rates, which can be a better deal than on-site temporary parking!

BestParking - Cheap and close to the parking lot.

BestParking has detailed information on thousands of parking lots in major cities across the U.S., including prices, parking time limits, nighttime discounts, etc. It even shows you the status of the parking spaces in real time, so that you can quickly find a suitable parking option for your rental car and driver. Especially in big cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, where parking is expensive and parking spaces are hard to find, BestParking can help you compare the prices of various parking lots and find the most suitable place to park, so as to reduce unnecessary expenses and time spent on detours.

A final gentle reminder about parking in the US... 

The "parking problem" is probably one of the last things that many travelers and business people want to face during their trip. Whether it's driving around in the streets looking for a parking space or paying exorbitant parking fees, it's a not-so-fantastic experience when you're on a road trip. However, it is a necessary process for road trips. As long as you are familiar with the general direction and rules of parking in the United States, and make use of parking apps to find convenient and affordable parking lots, I believe it will make your driving experience in the United States much more enjoyable.

In addition, Sky Horse would like to remind you that when driving in California, especially in big cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, it is recommended that you choose parking spaces that are managed by professional staff, have surveillance cameras, and are brightly lit, and be sure to take everything out of your car to avoid criminal acts of car theft and to protect your personal and financial safety. If you have any questions about parking while driving, please feel free to contact us directly.Ask us via LINEThe program is designed to be a one-stop-shop, and there will be someone on hand to help advise and advise on the best approach for the local area!