How do I Start a Parking Session in the Automated Phone System?

Parkmobile encourages you to download our app if you have a supported device. If you have checked our Mobile Apps page, and we don't currently offer an app for your device, feel free to use our Mobile Web App.

However, you can utilize the automated phone system to start parking sessions, as well. We suggest you register in advance, so that your first parking session will be a quick and easy transaction. Click HERE to learn more about registering an account using the automated phone system. 

The toll-free number to dial varies by geographical location so it is important that you call the correct number for your area. The number you can call to pay for your parking is located on the Parkmobile signs or meter stickers in your parking area, or search for your parking area in our Locations section to locate the number within this Help Center. 

When you call the automated phone system from the phone number you registered with us, the system will recognize you and will prompt you to start a parking session. Parking sessions can be created in one of two ways, depending on your parking area. For more information, you can click HERE to understand the differences, but truly all you need to know is this: in some parking areas you are allowed to start a session without choosing an amount of time in advance (you will be given the maximum allowed) and you can then stop the session early if you don't need all of the time given. However, in most parking areas you must choose the amount of time you want in advance, pay for that time, and you cannot stop the session early (but you are allowed to extend it for more time if you haven't already chosen the maximum.) It will be obvious to you which one is in place in your parking area because you will either be asked to provide the amount of time and agree to the charge up front, or you will be automatically given an amount of time and you can stop it early. 

The steps to start a parking session are outlined below.

If you only have one license plate on your account, the system will read that plate to you and ask you to enter your parking zone number in order to start a parking session. Parking zone numbers are found on the Parkmobile signs or meter stickers where you have parked. If you have more than one license plate number on your account, the system will ask you to choose which plate you are parking and afterward you will be asked to enter the zone number. 

Next, if a space number is required in your parking area, the system will ask you to enter it and press #. If a space number isn't required, you will not be asked to provide one, even if there is a space number where you have parked. 

If you are in an area where you are not required to enter a duration and agree to the charge in advance, the system will ask you to agree to start your parking session at this time. It will then confirm and will tell you your parking session has started and give you the option to hear more information. You'll hear when the session will stop, and be reminded to stop the session early if you don't need all of the allowed time.

However, if you are in an area that requires you to enter a duration and agree to the charge in advance, the system will prompt you with the parking duration options. These vary by parking location: some allowing parking by the minute, hour, day, week, month, or specific blocks of time such as a 2-hour rate or overnight parking rate. These special blocks of time will be quoted if they apply to your parking area.

Once you follow the prompts to choose your parking duration, the system will ask you to agree to the details of the session you are creating. It will recap the zone number, duration chosen, and the amount of the charge and ask you to press 1 or say "yes" to start the parking session or press 2 or say "no" if you don't want to start the session after all. If you agree to start the parking session, the system will recap the details of the session you just started.