Parkmobile parking transactions are categorized in three ways and the functionality you will experience is based on how your parking authority set up the parking sessions within our system. There are Start/Stop sessions, Start Duration sessions and Start Duration Stop sessions, but what you really need to know is how the three functionalities differ and what that means for you.
Start/Stop
In short...you start the session and can stop it early if you need to do so. These sessions can't be extended.
You can stop the session...because you are in a zone where you start the session and are given an automatic deactivation time without choosing the amount of time you want or agreeing in advance to the total parking charge. If you fail to stop your parking transaction when you leave, you will be charged the amount associated with the actual duration of your parking session. Parking sessions do not run indefinitely and have an automatic stop time which is determined by the parking operator in your area, and provided to you upon starting your session. In some cases, this stop time indicates the maximum time that you allowed to park in your zone. In other cases, this stop time represents the time in which rates change or in which you are required to pay for additional time in your zone. Please refer to local signage regarding the rates and maximum durations allowed in your location.
You can't extend the session...because you park in a zone which doesn't require you to enter the amount of time you want to pay for, but rather provides you with an automatic deactivation time when you start your session, and which doesn't require you to agree to the total parking charge at the start of the session (since the total is not yet known at that time). In order to pay for more time beyond your initial session, you'll need to start a new session once the first session ends, or end the session a little early to start a new session to get a new automatic deactivation time. Please refer to local signage regarding the rates and maximum durations allowed in your location. Extending beyond the maximum duration allowed could lead to citations.
Start Duration
In short...you start the session but can't stop it early, as you have prepaid for the amount of time you selected when you started. These sessions can be extended as long as you haven't already used the maximum time per parking session allowed by your parking authority.
You can't stop the session...because you park in a zone where you must select the amount of time for the session and are required to agree to the total parking charge in advance. However, if you do not leave the area when you reach the maximum time limit for that zone or space (e.g., 1 or 2 hours), you run the risk of receiving a citation, wheel boot, or having your car towed (depending on your local parking authority's enforcement practices). Policies for maximum legal parking periods vary by location and are usually shown in your parking area or on your meter.
You can extend the session...because you park in a zone which requires you to select the amount of time you want to pay for and requires you to agree to the charge before starting the session. However, you can only extend the session if you haven't already selected the maximum amount of time. Additionally, you can only initiate an extension if your session is still in progress. You can extend your parking session as many times as necessary, but only for a duration that doesn't exceed the maximum time limit for that specific zone or space. See posted parking meter or lot regulation signs for details on time limits, costs, and paid parking periods.
Start Duration Stop
In short...this is a hybrid of the two above. It is exactly like the Start Duration session, but you CAN stop it early (like you can for Start Stop but not for Start Duration). Like Start Duration sessions, these sessions can be extended as long as you haven't already used the maximum time per parking session allowed by your parking authority.
You can stop the session...because you are in a zone where you start the session and choose the amount of time you want in advance, but it has also been coded to allow stopping early. If you fail to stop your parking transaction when you leave, the session will continue until the time chosen when starting the session. You will be charged the amount associated with the actual duration of your parking session.
You can extend the session...because you park in a zone which requires you to select the amount of time you want to pay for and requires you to agree to the charge before starting the session. However, you can only extend the session if you haven't already selected the maximum amount of time. Additionally, you can only initiate an extension if your session is still in progress. You can extend your parking session as many times as necessary, but only for a duration that doesn't exceed the maximum time limit for that specific zone or space. See posted parking meter or lot regulation signs for details on time limits, costs, and paid parking periods.
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