Question

What is parking validation?

Validated parking is free or discounted parking at a paid parking lot, usually offered as a perk by businesses to their customers.

If a business validates parking, you can park for free or at a discount at a nearby parking lot after you shop, dine, or make an appointment with them. For example, a restaurant may offer its patrons a discount on the parking fee charged by a nearby lot that they recommend. Similarly, hospitals, hotels, banks, malls, or even residential/office buildings can use parking validation as an incentive.

How to find validated parking spots

Parking validation is common in busy commercial or downtown areas due to limited space availability. Paid parking becomes a necessity in areas where there are not enough spaces to meet the high demand.

So, parking validation is usually offered by: 

• Stores, malls, outlets, and other shopping centers 
• On-site service providers like salons, spas, gyms, etc. 
• Government offices and institutions 
• Restaurants, bars, clubs, and entertainment venues 
• Hospitals, clinics, banks, and educational institutions 
• Hotels, apartments, and office buildings 

How does parking validation work?

Generally, for a Payment at an Exit parking system, the business or service provider gives a discount coupon or code to use when they pay for parking. Here’s how parking validation works in such cases: 

• When entering the parking lot, the driver takes a ticket and keeps it with them. 
• You may spot signs instructing the parking lot users to “Ask for Validation” with time limits and other details. 
• Follow the instructions. They’ll either stamp or scan your parking validation ticket. In some cases, you’ll get a separate discount coupon or pass.  
• At the payment point on exiting the parking lot, you can use this coupon, pass, or validated parking ticket to get the specified discount, which can go up to 100%.