How to accept payments in your car park?

Accepting parking payments sounds simple, but many car parks struggle to get it right.

Outdated machines, confusing systems, and slow payment options cost time, money, and patience.

This guide explains how to accept parking payments in your car park, what options are available, and how to choose the right setup for your site.

‍

TDLR

If you want parking payments to work properly:

• Make paying quick and easy
• Offer modern, familiar payment methods
• Use clear signage
• Choose a system that fits your site and users

Why Parking Payments Matter

Parking payments are more than just collecting money.

They affect how drivers behave and how smoothly your car park runs.

When payments are simple:

• Drivers are more likely to pay
• Complaints reduce
• Revenue increases

When payments are hard:

• Drivers delay or avoid paying
• Disputes increase
• Unauthorised parking becomes more common

‍

Common Problems With Parking Payments

Many car parks struggle with the same issues.

Typical problems include

• Machines that break or run out of paper
• Cash handling and theft risk
• Slow or confusing payment processes
• Drivers forced to download apps
• No clear view of revenue and fees

These problems create frustration for both drivers and operators.

‍

Different Ways to Accept Parking Payments

There is no single solution that fits every site. Below are the main options used today.

Pay & Display Machines

Pay & display machines are still used in many car parks, especially where drivers expect them.

Pros

• Familiar to most drivers
• Works without mobile signal
• Can accept cash and cards

Cons

• Expensive to install and maintain
• Paper, coin, and fault issues
• No real-time reporting

Recommended provider
If your site needs pay & display machines, I Park Smart Ltd can supply and manage them as part of a wider parking setup.

‍

Cashless Parking Payments

Cashless parking payments allow drivers to pay using their phone, usually by scanning a QR code or entering a location code.

This method is growing quickly because it removes friction.

Pros

• No machines to maintain
• Fast payments
• Works with card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
• Live reporting for operators

Cons

• Needs clear signage
• Requires mobile signal

‍

Recommended system
ParkPayStay provides website-based cashless parking payments that work on any device, with no app download required.

‍

App-Based Parking Payments

Some systems require drivers to download an app before paying.

Pros

• Can store driver details
• Useful for frequent users

Cons

• App fatigue for drivers
• Slow setup in poor signal areas
• Lost payments due to frustration

Many operators are now moving away from app-only systems.

‍

What Drivers Expect From Parking Payments

Drivers want parking payments to be quick and familiar.

Drivers expect

• To pay in under a minute
• No app downloads
• Familiar payment methods
• Clear confirmation

If paying feels hard, drivers lose patience quickly.

‍

What Operators Need From Parking Payments

Operators need control and visibility.

Operators need

• Reliable payments
• Clear fee breakdowns
• Real-time reporting
• Easy setup
• Systems that scale

Without this, managing a car park becomes guesswork.

‍

How to Choose the Right Parking Payment Setup

Every site is different. The right solution depends on how your car park is used.

Things to consider

• Number of spaces
• Location and footfall
• Type of users
• Budget
• Need for enforcement

Many sites use a mix of payment methods to suit different drivers.

‍

Why Cashless Parking Payments Are Becoming the Default

Cashless parking payments reduce friction for everyone.

They:

• Remove machine downtime
• Speed up payments
• Improve compliance
• Reduce maintenance costs

For many operators, this is now the preferred option.

How to Set Up Cashless Parking Payments

Setting up a cashless system does not need to be complicated.

Typical setup steps

• Add clear QR code signage
• Create location codes
• Set tariffs
• Go live

With ParkPayStay, this process can be completed quickly, with full dashboard access from day one.

‍

How Parking Payments Support Enforcement

Clear parking payments make enforcement fairer and simpler.

When drivers have:

• Clear rules
• Easy payment options

Excuses disappear.

Payment records also support enforcement decisions and reduce disputes.

‍

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Making payments too slow
• Relying on one payment method
• Poor signage
• Ignoring driver experience

Small mistakes can lead to big revenue losses.

‍

Final Thoughts

Getting parking payments right makes everything else easier.

When paying is simple, drivers comply.
When systems are clear, operators stay in control.

Whether you use cashless parking payments, pay & display machines, or a mix of both, the key is choosing a setup that works for your site and your users.

‍