What Is Parking Validation and How To Do It Properly

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Are you wondering what is parking validation? Don't worry; your questions will be addressed in this blog post. Understanding parking validation can be an essential aspect of parking lot design. If you're a business owner, you likely have experience with the concept of parking validation. At some point, you have probably offered it to customers or used it yourself. Have you ever wondered how parking validation works? Whether you're entirely unfamiliar with parking validation or are looking to expand your knowledge, this blog post will provide you with an overview of how parking validation functions. In it, we will discuss the basics of parking validation and how it can benefit your business.

What Is Parking Validation?

Parking validation is a process where a business or facility offers complimentary or discounted parking to visitors, customers, or employees as a value-added service. The idea is that a customer receives a parking ticket upon entering the parking area.

After they visit the establishment, the business provides the validation via coupon, code, or on the online portal. With this validation, the customer pays a discounted price or nothing at all when they exit, introducing a secure, streamlined parking experience.

Scenarios of Parking Validation

Parking validation is commonly used in various settings such as shopping centers, restaurants, hospitals, and airports. Consider a shopping center, for example. A customer enters the parking lot, shops for a while, and then gets their parking ticket validated when they leave a store within the center.

As a result, the customer doesn't have to pay the full price of parking, or they might receive a discount. This strategy encourages shoppers to visit the center for longer and spend more money, ultimately benefiting the businesses at the shopping center.

Purpose of Parking Validation for Businesses and Customers

The purpose of parking validation benefits both the businesses offering it and their customers. For businesses, parking validation is a way to attract customers by providing them with an affordable, convenient parking option. This can create loyal customers and drive foot traffic to the business location. Parking validation can enhance the overall customer experience, making it more likely that a customer will return in the future.

For customers, parking validation provides an added benefit by saving them money on parking fees. This can make it more appealing to visit a specific business, especially if the parking in the area is expensive. Parking validation can offer a seamless experience for visitors, as they don't have to worry about parking costs when they visit a business. This can improve customer satisfaction and encourage repeat visits.

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What are the Different Types of Parking Validation?

There are several forms of parking validation, from a single validation that offers a flat discount amount on the parking fee to time-based validation where the business covers the cost for a predetermined duration. In many cases, the business will cover the entire cost of parking, making it free for their customers. There are also validation programs that use monthly parking permits, offering customers free parking for an entire month to their employees.

Stamp & Sticker System

A traditional method where a physical stamp or sticker is applied to a parking ticket.

Digital Validation

Technology has enabled digital validation methods through apps, [QR codes](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/q/quick-response-qr-code.asp), or entering ticket numbers on a website.

Validation Codes

These are systems where customers receive a code they can use to discount their parking when paying at a machine or online.

Duration-Based Validation

Some validations cover a full exit fee, while others might cover a set number of hours.

How Does Parking Validation Work?

Parking validation systems operate seamlessly within parking garages, lots, and facilities. Each system may function differently depending on the type of parking garage, business requirements, tenant leases, and local regulations. The main goal remains consistent. When a customer enters a parking facility, they pay the listed price to park there.

After visiting a business or facility that offers validation, they either get their physical ticket stamped or provide a validation barcode for electronic systems or through the online tenant portal. This validation is a signal to the parking management system to waive or reduce the parking fee before the customer exits.

Technology Used in Parking Validation Systems

Modern parking lots and facilities leverage advanced technology to automate the validation process and streamline operations:

Parking Meters

Pay Stations and Kiosks

Electronic Validation Systems

License Plate Recognition Systems

These technologies are effective because they recognize validation barcodes, QR codes, or even customers’ license plates for entry. This not only simplifies the parking experience for users but also ensures a high level of accuracy and security in the transaction process.

In cases where technology isn’t used, parking cashiers may be available at the exit gate. They take the driver’s parking ticket, deduct the discount, and either have them pay or exit for free.

Book a free demo to learn about how Parqour can shift your parking operation into top gear!

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How to Find Validated Parking Spots

When you are venturing into a bustling city center or a commercial area, it may be a challenge to find a parking spot that offers validation. Whether you are planning to shop, dine, or get your hair done, it pays to know where to park to benefit from validation. Here are some tips to easily locate parking spots offering validation availability

Seek Out Shopping Centers and Large Retail Stores

When heading to a shopping mall or a large retail store, look for parking validation signs. Many shopping centers offer free parking for a certain period with validation. As you drive into the parking lot, keep an eye out for signs that indicate validation and the duration of free parking available.

Explore On-Site Service Providers

Salons, spas, gyms, and other service providers often offer parking validation to their customers. This incentive encourages clients to take advantage of their services without worrying about parking costs. Keep an eye out for signs or ask the staff if validation is available for parking on-site.

Check with Government Offices and Institutions

Government offices, courthouses, and other public institutions may offer validation for visitors. If you are heading to a government building for a meeting or appointment, inquire about parking validation options. This can save you money on parking fees while conducting your business.

Look for Entertainment Venues and Restaurants

Many restaurants, bars, clubs, and entertainment venues offer parking validation to their patrons. Before heading out for a night on the town, check with the venue to see if they provide validation. This can help offset parking costs and make your evening out more enjoyable.

Consider Hospitals, Clinics, and Banks

Medical facilities, banks, and educational institutions may also offer validation for parking. When visiting a hospital for an appointment or a bank for a transaction, ask about parking validation. This can help ease the stress of finding parking in busy areas.

Explore Hotels, Apartments, and Office Buildings

Hotels, apartment complexes, and office buildings may offer validation for parking to residents, tenants, and visitors. If you are staying at a hotel, living in an apartment complex, or visiting an office building, inquire about parking validation options. This can save you money and make your visit more convenient.

What are the Benefits of Parking Validation?

Monitoring Entry and Exit

Parking validation systems track the flow of vehicles from entry to exit, ensuring only authorized vehicles can exit without paying the full charge. This controlled process minimizes unauthorized access, enhancing safety for all users.

Advanced Surveillance and Real-Time Monitoring

License plate recognition and surveillance cameras bolster security in parking structures. License plate recognition allows for automatic verification of vehicles upon entry, while surveillance cameras offer real-time monitoring to detect potential security threats or incidents.

Validated Parking, Discounted Parking, and Secure Payment Options

Integration of secure digital payment methods reduces physical cash transactions, enhancing safety. Customers benefit from free or discounted parking, contributing to a positive customer experience. For facility managers and owners, parking validation facilitates consistent revenue through increased foot traffic and loyalty.

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Best Practices for Implementing a Parking Validation Program

Identifying Specific Needs

Choosing the type of validation system that aligns with your business is the first step in establishing a successful parking validation program. Depending on your business, you may opt for merchant validation, which is ideal for shoppers who have made a purchase, monthly permits for regular visitors, or special event validations. By identifying the specific needs of your business, you can tailor your parking validation program to suit your unique requirements.

Integrating with Other Services

For a holistic approach to parking validation, consider integrating it with other services such as valet parking, shuttle services, or traffic control services. This integration not only enhances the customer experience but also streamlines your parking operations. By offering a comprehensive range of services, you can provide customers with a convenient and seamless parking experience that encourages repeat visits.

Analytics and Feedback

Utilizing analytics is essential for determining peak times, non-busy times, and the typical duration of visits at your establishment. These insights can help you decide whether your business requires a time-based or flat-rate parking validation program.

Collecting feedback from customers is invaluable as it highlights areas for improvement and uncovers new opportunities to enhance your parking validation service. By leveraging analytics and feedback, you can continuously refine and optimize your parking validation program to meet the evolving needs of your customers and business.

Simplify Your Parking Operations and Improve Your Customer Experience with Parqour －Book A Free Demo Today

Parqour is a software platform that simplifies parking operations and improves the customer experience. It offers real-time data, automated plate recognition, and contactless payments. We operate in more than 22 countries, 300+ parking areas, and have detected over 100M+ vehicles. Parqour offers a comprehensive end-to-end management platform to increase revenue, reduce operational cost, and enhance transparency.

Say goodbye to piecing together different vendors and integrations. No need to spend huge capital on bulky hardware. Control all operations from one platform. Contactless parking and online payment methods make the parking experience easier for your customers too. The end result: higher utilization and lower operating costs.