How to Get Out of a Parking Garage Without Paying

Parking garages whether private or public require that drivers pay to park. In order to ensure compliance, attendants are stationed at the garage exits or the payment process is automated.

Despite the measures put in place by parking garage owners, some drivers still look for ways to leave the garage without paying, which leaves one to wonder how they get out of the parking garage without paying.

One easy way a driver can leave the parking garage without paying is if the exit door is open or no attendant is at their station.

Is it Possible to Leave a Parking Garage Without Paying?

Yes, it is possible to leave a parking garage without paying but it is mostly considered illegal to do so.

Leaving the parking garage without paying is more like more learning how to get out of the parking garage for free.

Almost all parking garage requires that car owners pay a certain amount to park their cars there, this can be done either on foot or while you are in the car depending on the garage ownership.

Although it is possible, you should bear in mind that, if you leave a parking garage without paying and you get caught you will be punished or even sued.

How to Get Out of a Parking Garage Without Paying?

If you are looking for ways to get out of a parking garage without paying any of the following may help.

If the Exit Gate is Open

One easy way to get out of a parking garage without paying is if the exit gate is open.

When the garage exit gate is opened, that is an avenue for you to easily zoom off the premises as nobody will be paying much attention, and even if they are, there won’t be much time for them to stop you from leaving.

This can work in your favor if the camera didn’t capture your license plate.

No Attendant in Sight

You can also get out of a parking garage without paying if there are no attendants in sight. Attendants in garages are there to ensure that all cars parked in the garage are paid for.

You should however bear in mind that the possibility of this working depends on if paying in that particular garage requires a manual process.

In some garages where payment is automated, whether an attendant is in sight or not if you don’t pay the exit gate won’t open for you to pass.

Could a Parking Garage Sue Me If I Find a Way to Leave Without Paying?

Yes, a parking garage can sue you if you find a way to leave without paying, however, will depend on if the parking garage is private or public owned.

In a privately owned parking garage, the driver may or may not be sued as it will be considered a civil matter which can be settled out of court or in court depending on the situation surrounding it.

If this however were to happen in a public garage owned by the government, it may be seen as a criminal offense with the driver sued and charged in court.

What to Do If You’re Stuck in a Parking Garage?

Getting stuck in a parking lot/garage in this case will be assumed to mean you do not have money or enough on you to pay the parking fee.

If this is the case, the attendant may get your license plate and other necessary details and then send the bill to you either through the mail or other means.

Getting your license plate and other details will help them locate you in the event you decide not to pay. Bear in mind that not all parking garages do this.

What Happens if I Lost My Parking Garage Ticket?

If you lose your parking garage ticket:

1. Need to Proof Car Ownership

If you have lost your parking garage ticket, you will need to prove that the car belongs to you, not necessarily because you are lying, but because it’s a normal procedure for the attendant to verify the ownership of every car parked in the garage.

You can prove ownership by providing your car title or another document that will prove the same.

2. Difficulty Locating the Car

Without your parking garage ticket, it may be hard for the attendant to help you locate your car in the event that you are unable to locate it among the large number of cars parked in the garage.

Some tickets may sometimes carry the exact location of a car in the garage which makes locating it easy.

3. Paying a Lost Ticket Fee

Losing a parking garage ticket also means you will be asked to pay a lost ticket fee. The fee to be paid may or may not be expensive depending on the state and the garage in which the car is parked.

What Happens When a Parking Garage Closes?

When a parking garage closes before you could get your car out, it means you will come for it the next day. Usually, parking garages put their opening and closing hours up as a sign so drivers will be aware and act accordingly.

In the case where a parking garage closes, you will either get the car the next day or pay a fine for overtime in some cases it will be both.

If a garage closes but you are able to meet up before the attendant leaves, you can get your car but will be required to pay an additional fee.

Can Police Ticket You in a Private Parking Lot?

Yes, police can ticket you in a private parking lot depending on the state. In some states, the police can ticket you on a privately owned parking lot while others do not allow it.

Also, depending on the state, there may be limits to the ticket the police can issue on a private parking lot. Some of such tickets could be for parking;

• In a fire lane
• Expired registration
• Handicapped parking, etc.

For the police to be able to issue a ticket for offenses other than any of the aforementioned the parking lot owner will need to enter into an agreement called ‘The private Property Parking Enforcement Agreement.

Following this agreement, the police have a right to issue tickets for any offense in the parking lot.

Conclusion

Know that none of the methods people use to get out of a parking garage is legal and if you get caught the punishment may be as extreme as you appearing in a law court, although it is possible to settle out of court.