This article explains our Auto Payments program for customers parking in the UK.
What are Auto Payments?
PayByPhone Auto Payments are an automated payment system that records when a vehicle enters and exits a car park and then automatically charges the driver’s payment card so there is no need to manually process a transaction each time you park. Powered using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, customers must be a registered PayByPhone customer to utilise Auto Payments.
How does it work?
ANPR technology at participating car parks is integrated with the PayByPhone cashless payment service. Your entry and exit times in the car park are monitored, ensuring you pay the correct amount for your parking session.
To make things even simpler, you are able to register multiple vehicles on your Auto Payments account.
How does this benefit me?
👉No need to buy manually; your parking session is calculated based on camera sightings and debited around one day after departure.
👉Keep a valid Visa or Mastercard on your account alongside your opted in-vehicle.
👉Opt in for free email receipts and they're sent when a payment is collected.
👉Quick, easy, secure payments
Where are Auto Payments offered?
👉 Auto Payments can be made at ANPR-supported TfL Underground car parks.
How do I add or remove my vehicles or know that it's opted in for Auto Payments using Web, Android and iOS platforms?
Web
👉 Visit your Account > Auto Payments (https://m2.paybyphone.co.uk/offstreet)
👉 To add:
- Click Opt In
- Select Operator
- Add Vehicle
- Click Submit
The plate will show as Approved Status.
👉 To remove
- Click the X on the Approved button
- Click Remove Access
The plate will be disengaged from AutoPay.
Android
👉 Load the Android App > Settings >Account> AutoPay
👉 To enlist your vehicle:
- Click Opt In
- Select Operator
- Add Vehicle
- Click Submit
The plate will show as Approved Status.
👉 To disengage your vehicle:
- Select the vehicle you would like to remove
- Click the X on the Approved button
- ClickOpt Out
The plate will be disengaged from AutoPay.
iOS
👉 Load the iOS App > Menu> Scroll down to AutoPayment.
👉 Enlist your vehicle:
- Click Opt In
- Select Operator
- Add Vehicle
- Click Submit
The plate will show as Approved Status.
👉 To disengage your vehicle:
- Select the vehicle you would like to remove
- Click the X on the Approved button
- Click Opt Out
The plate will be disengaged from AutoPay.
📋 NOTE: Please ensure your vehicle registration is correctly stored (we see a number of e.g. '0' vs 'O' discrepancies).
Hows can I receive email notifications?
👉 To opt in for free email notifications, click here. You'll receive confirmation of your opt-in, also free receipts when your parking payment has gone through.
What do I need to do to ensure payment goes through?
👉 Further to seeing your vehicle is 'approved', the only other thing you need is a valid Visa or Mastercard on your account. Payment will typically be taken around 24 hours after you leave the car park.
My payment hasn't been collected, why could this be?
👉 Auto Payments rely on cameras capturing your vehicle both entering and exiting the car park. If your vehicle registration number is correct and shows 'Approved', valid Visa or Mastercard in place but payment has not been taken, it could be that payment isn't collected due to a problem at one of these points when driving through, meaning a calculation of price could not be made. Please do your best to ensure your plate is kept clean and clear enough to be read.
If your card payment isn't successfully collected first time, a couple of further attempts will be made within two weeks. Please add your email address to your account and opt-in to receive free email receipts. You'll be sent a receipt for your parking session when payment has gone through.
Will I receive a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) if payment isn't collected?
👉 If payment for a prior day hasn't been collected, other than ensure you have a valid payment card in place, there's no action you can take (you cannot retrospectively buy parking but won't know for at least a day if payment isn't collected the first time). With this in mind, if all is correctly set up before your entry & exit at an ANPR-supported TfL car park, you should not expect a PCN.
In the event that you do receive a PCN, please appeal, citing your Auto Payments opt-in.
If concerned about Auto Payments, you may wish to opt-out in favour of manual app/web payments.
For any further Auto Payments inquiries, please ask to speak with an agent via our chat.