[Car Tips] Penalties and Appeals for Misparking
🚗 Let me tell you: Metered parking spaces are not always easy to park in, and you may be fined.
Parking spaces are scarce in Hong Kong's urban areas, and many drivers are tempted to park quickly at metered spaces. However , metered spaces come with specific regulations – and if you're not careful, you'll be caught.
Metered parking spaces (officially called "paid parking spaces") are mostly located on busy streets. There are legal regulations governing usage hours, charging periods, and vehicle categories. If you exceed the time limit, fail to enter the meter, use the wrong period, or use the wrong vehicle type , a Hong Kong Police Force traffic wardens or bailiffs have the authority to issue a ticket.
1️⃣ Common situations of misplaced epitopes
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Not included in the table
- Once you park your car, you can go and do your business without paying immediately (whether using the Octopus meter or mobile app).
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Overtime parking
- For example, the parking meter only allows you to park for two hours, but you park for two and a half hours without renewing the fee.
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Incorrect parking during charging hours
- Many parking meters only charge during specific hours (e.g. 8:00–20:00). You might think you can park for free at night, but you might end up getting caught if you don’t drive away in the morning.
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Wrong type of car parked
- Some parking spaces are reserved for trucks and motorcycles only. Parking in the wrong place will be an offence.
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The parking meter has been suspended
- Sometimes, due to construction or events, parking spaces are temporarily marked as "No Parking". Although there is a parking meter, it will be covered and parking is still not allowed.
2️⃣ Detailed analysis of the penalty
According to the Road Traffic (Parking) Regulations (Cap. 374C) of Hong Kong :
- If you use a metered parking space illegally, you will receive a fixed penalty ticket , commonly known as "beef jerky".
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Fixed penalty amounts (as of 2025):
- Illegal parking at a regular metered space: $320 (private car)
- Illegal parking in designated parking spaces (e.g. truck spaces, disabled spaces): $570 or above (depending on the circumstances and relevant laws)
- Failure to pay or late payment will result in the case being referred to court and may result in fines and legal fees.
3️⃣ What will you do after receiving a ticket?
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Ticket Details
- Traffic warden will record the license plate, date, time, location, and reason for violation and place the ticket on the front of the vehicle.
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Payment deadline
- The fixed penalty must be paid within 21 days of the ticket date.
- Payment can be made at convenience stores, post offices, online, or through mobile apps.
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Overdue
- A surcharge will be added to the fine and a court summons may be issued.
4️⃣ Detailed explanation of appeal/review procedures
⚠️Editor 's Note : The success rate of appealing metered parking violations is relatively low , as evidence is usually provided by both the enforcement officer and the meter record . However, if you believe you've been wrongly fined, you can appeal using the following methods.
📍 Step 1 — Prepare Evidence
- On-site photos (including parking meter display time, toll sign, and parking location)
- If the meter is faulty, provide a refund or technical report record (report to the Transport Department/Meter Hotline)
- Any receipts or records that can prove that you have complied with the regulations (e.g. mobile app payment records)
📍 Step 2 — Formal Complaint
- The appeal address and procedures are available on the back of the ticket or on the police traffic department website.
- Submit in writing as instructed (usually sent to the Traffic Department of the Hong Kong Police Headquarters at Queensway)
📍 Step 3 — Wait for police review
- The police will conduct an internal review based on your reasons, evidence and the report from law enforcement officers.
- If the decision is to revoke, you will receive a written notice exempting you from paying the fine; otherwise, you must pay the fine on time or choose to appeal in court.
📍 Step 4 — Defend your case in court (optional)
- You can choose not to pay and go to court to be judged by the magistrate
- However, if you lose the case, the fine may be higher than the fixed amount, and there will be litigation costs.
5️⃣ Local real cases
- Case 1: Parking meter malfunction but no report <br>A driver found that the parking meter was unresponsive, but did not immediately report the meter malfunction hotline. He parked for several hours without paying and was subsequently fined. His appeal failed.
- Case 2: Thinking a short parking space would not result in a ticket <br>A driver in Chai Wan parked his private car in a truck space for 10 minutes to move things, but received a ticket when he returned.
6️⃣ Editor’s Tips for Preventing Infection
- Check the meter immediately after getting off the car : Don’t think about “finishing your current work and checking the meter first” because the ticket officer may have already passed by.
- Use the Meter Payment App : Pay in advance and receive reminders to renew your bill, so you don’t have to worry about exceeding the time limit.
- Recognize parking space signs : pay attention to charging periods and vehicle type restrictions.
- If you find that the parking meter is broken, call the hotline immediately and take a photo as evidence to avoid being mistaken for not paying.
- Night parking meter : Please check the free parking hours clearly, as it is not free all night.
7️⃣ Editor’s Summary
"The parking meter is not your friend, it's your time judge."
Parking rules must be followed, especially in Hong Kong, where there is a high density of law enforcement.
A $320 bill won't break the bank, but it's enough to buy a few good meals and isn't worth the penalty.
An appeal must be based on evidence, not oral argument.
