Frequently asked questions

Click on a question to display the answer.

• 1. How does parkbytext™ work?

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    parkbytext™ is a method for parking your vehicle that makes use of cell phone and online technologies to make the parking experience more customer-friendly and convenient. See our How it Works page for further details on how to use parkbytext™.

• 2. Do I need a ticket or a tag?

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    No, the warden can check if you have an active parking pass by checking your vehicle’s license plate.

• 3. What is a parkbytext™ account holder?

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    A parkbytext™ account holder is a customer who has created an account through one of 3 ways:

    
    

    1) Online at parkbytext.com
    2) Through the parkbytext™ app at parkbytext.com or at your mobile app store
    3) By calling us today on 713 999 4042
    
    Those with a parkbytext™ account receive more benefits than those whom do not. Benefits include:
    
    • Easy access to change and view account details and statements
    • Print parking receipts
    • Optional automatic account top-up
    • Avail of text reminder service
    • SWAP function available allowing users to transfer their current parking session onto another vehicle

• 4. Do I have to be a parkbytext™ account holder to use parkbytext™?

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    No you do not have to be an account holder to use parkbytext™. You can very easily become an account holder by registering online, through the app or by calling us today on 713 999 4042.

    
    
    

    If you have not got an account yet you can initiate a parking session by:

    
    
    

    • Text: Park (location code) (plate #) to 713 999 4042
    e.g. PARK 1001 1AVB111 to 713 999 4042 and follow text instructions.

    
    

    • Online: Click the “Pre-Pay” button on www.parkbytext.com homepage.

• 5. How do I become an account holder?

  • You can create an account through one 3 ways:
    
    1) Online at parkbytext.com (click “Sign-up” button on homepage)
    2) Through the parkbytext™ app at parkbytext.com or at your mobile app store
    3) By calling us today on 713 999 4042
    

• 6. How do I sign-up for a parkbytext™ account?

  • You can sign-up to parkbytext™ through any of the following 3 ways:
    
    1) Online at parkbytext.com (click “Sign-up” button on homepage)
    2) Through the parkbytext™ app at parkbytext.com or at your mobile app store
    3) By calling us today on 713 999 4042
    

• 7. How do I activate my parkbytext™ account?

  • When you log-in to your parkbytext™ account for the first time you will be asked to “activate your cell phone”. This is done by simply entering the random code that we will have then just sent to you by text. When you enter that code, once received, you can then click the button just to the right of where you entered the code. Your parkbytext™ account is then activated.

• 8. Can I transfer my current parking pass to another location?
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    Yes. You can now edit your current parking pass to another location online. This option is provided under the “Pre-Pay” tab once you are logged in to your account.
    
    Please note that you can only edit locations of the same parking operator, such as LAZ Parking. The parking fee of these car parks must also be the same in order to edit your location. There is no additional charge for this service.

• 9. Can I edit my parking pass via TEXT?
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    No, currently you can only edit your parking pass once logged in to your account on www.parkbytext.com

• 10. How can I transfer my current parking pass onto another vehicle?
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    You can now swap your parking session onto another vehicle through text.
    
    To transfer your parking onto the second registered vehicle on your account simply text: SWAP to 713 999 4042.
    
    Alternatively to transfer your parking pass onto a vehicle that is not registered to your account, simply text: SWAP (plate #) to 713 999 4042
    e.g. SWAP 1AVB111 to 713 999 4042
    
    You will receive a confirmation text stating that the new vehicle is now covered for the remainder of your parking pass. Just remember to swap back if you are reverting to license plate 1 throughout the remainder of your parking pass. Please note there is no additional charge for this service except your regular network charge for sending a text.

• 11. Can I extend my parking session
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    As an account holder you can also EXTEND your parking session through text. Simply text: EXTEND (Parking Ref) to 713 999 4042
    
    Now your parking pass will be extended by the same amount of time as originally stated. The confirmation text you received for your active parking pass will contain the pass reference. E.g. to extend a week’s parking pass that ends on the 1st of July Parking Ref 123, text:
    EXTEND 123 to 713 999 4042. Your parking pass will now be extended by one week.
    

• 12. What happens if I am a registered parkbytext™ customer and I change vehicles?
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    You can change your vehicle license plate details by app or online.
    
    App: Download the free parkbytext™ app from the App Store / Google Play (click to download), log-in, enter your new vehicle license plate details in “My Account” tab.
    
    Online: Log-in to your account on www.parkbytext.com and enter your new vehicle license plate details in the ‘Home’ tab and click the ‘Save Account Settings’ button at the bottom of the page.
    
    Please note, if you have a live transaction during which you change your vehicle, you will also need to SWAP your transaction onto the new vehicle license plate. Please refer to Point 10 for instructions on how to do this.
• 13. What happens if I am a registered parkbytext™ customer and I change my cell phone?
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    You can change your cell phone details online.
    
    Log-in to your account through www.parkbytext.com and enter your new cell phone number in the “Home” tab. You will then be sent a new activation code which you will have to enter online. Finally click the button just to the right of where you entered your new cell phone and it's done.

• 14. How long does it take to create a parking pass?

  • Once you have a parkbytext™ account it takes as little time as it takes you to text PARK (location code) (duration) to 713 999 4042.
    
    The location code and duration will be displayed on the on-site signage and you can also find both online when searching locations and creating a parking pass.
    
    Other ways to make payment are:
    
    • App: Click “Create Parking Pass” tab Simply download our free new App from the App Store / Google Play (click to download), log-in, and then click on the “Create Parking Pass” tab.
    
    • Online: Log-in and click “Pre-Pay” button or click “Pre-Pay” button directly from the homepage.
    
    • Call: 713 999 4042
    
    

• 15. How do I know that my cell phone payment has gone through?
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    You will receive a text confirmation stating your vehicle license plate and duration of parking.
    
    If you have signed up for text reminders, you will receive a text to let you know that your parking pass is nearly expired. You can EXTEND your parking pass by text too. See point 11 on how to extend your parking pass.
• 16. I am not sure if I created a parking pass – how do I find out?
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    You can view your parking pass via the app and online.
    
    App: Download the free parkbytext™ app from the App Store / Google Play (click to download), log-in, and then click on “Parking History” to view parking details.
    
    Online: Log-in to your account on www.parkbytext.com and visit the “Pre-Pay Parking” page. If your parking pass was successfully created it will appear on this page. If your parking history does not show the parking pass here then your parking pass was not created.
    
    
• 17. Do I need to use the parking meter?
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    No, this system is completely independent of parking meters.
    
    
• 18. Do I need to be near my vehicle to park?
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    You can pay for your parking from wherever you are in the world using your cell phone as long as your account is activated and we have your vehicle details. You will need to know the location code for the location you are parking in. The location code can be found on the on-site signage and online when searching locations and creating a parking pass.
    
• 19. How do I know if my balance is running low?
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    You can check your account balance online, once logged in, on the ‘Account Statement’ page and through the app. Your balance will automatically show on the screen once you log-in to the app.
    
    For account holders that have selected the Auto Top-up option their account will automatically top-up by a requested amount once their balance falls below a decided amount. You can disable and edit this feature on the ‘My Account’ page once you are logged in to your account online and through the app.
• 20. How does parkbytext™ know that an account holder is calling?
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    parkbytext™ account holders using the parkbytext™ service must have Caller Id enabled on the cell phone they registered with parkbytext™ in order to be identified by the system.
    
    If you do not have Caller Id switched on then the parkbytext™ phone system will state this and terminate the call. Please contact your mobile operator for more details on how to enable caller ID on your cell phone.

• 21. Can I register with parkbytext™ multiple times with one cell phone number?
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    No, each cell phone number can only be associated with one parkbytext™ account. You can have a maximum of two mobile phone numbers on one account.
• 22. Can I change my account low balance threshold to a different amount?
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    Yes, you can change your Auto Top-up threshold level, which is the low balance threshold value. To do so, log-in to your account on www.parkbytext.com and in “My Account” you can set this value. You can also change your Auto Top-up amount here.
• 23. If I want to close my account how do I do it?
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    To close your account go to www.parkbytext.comand fill out your request on the ‘Contact us’ form. We will endeavor to reply to all communications within 24 hours. An administration charge may apply - please see terms and conditions for details.

• 24. Are my parkbytext™ account details secure?
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    Yes, all your account information is secure and we will not share them with anyone – please see the T&Cs in this regard. Your payment card details are secure and are stored in compliance with current PCI (payment card industry) standards.
• 25. How do I pay by TEXT?
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    You do not strictly "pay" using TEXT, payment will come off your parkbytext™ account balance.
• 26. What if I don't get a TEXT receipt after I have parked by text?

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    If you do not get a text receipt after you park, it may be because there is a problem with the network provider, and your vehicle may still be covered to park. However, you must check that your car is paid to be parked by going online and checking the “Pre-Pay Parking” section, or by checking the “Parking History” tab on the parkbytext App. You can also fill out the Contact Form online or call our Contact Centre on 713 999 4042.

• 27. How much does it cost?

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    • Standard network charges apply for all texts.
    
    • A convenience charge will apply per parking session. These charges vary based on location. Please see signage at the location for a list of convenience charges.
    
    • Text reminders sent to account holders are charged at 20c per message received.
    
    • Calls to 713 999 4042 are charged at your service provider's national call rate.
    
    

• 28. How do I know what parking facility I am in?

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    Each parking facility has signage displayed with the relevant location code. This 4 digit location code is required to use the parkbytext™ service and it is assigned and unique to that individual location.

• 29. How do I Pre-Pay for parking?

  • You can go online to www.parkbytext.com and visit the Pre-Pay Parking page – then click the Pre-Pay button. This will open a dialog box. Once you have all your information filled in click ‘Pre-Pay ‘and you will create a new parking pass. You can view this newly created parking pass once logged in to your account, under the Pre-Pay Parking button in the table with all your parking history. Using the Pre-Pay facility does not reserve a parking space in the required location.

     

• 30. How does multiple hours and days work?

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    Multiple hours allow you to purchase multiple hours up to a point where it is cheaper to buy a day’s parking. This is the same with days and weeks.
    
    For example, to purchase 2 days parking at location 0765 simply Text: PARK 0765 2D to 713 999 4042
    
    Please note that options vary per location. See on-site signage and location information, once logged in to your parkbytext™ account, for more details.