[26.04.07] Public Parking 5-Day Rotation Starts April 8, Entry Limited by Plate Numbers

Public Parking 5-Day Rotation Starts April 8, Entry Limited by Plate Numbers

📍Vehicle access limited by last digit…Exceptions apply to electric vehicles, people with disabilities, and others

Starting on the 8th, a “five-day rotation system” for passenger vehicles will be implemented at public parking lots operated by local governments and public institutions. Access to parking lots will be restricted depending on the last digit of a vehicle’s license plate, and in principle, the rule will apply to almost all passenger vehicles except for certain exempt categories. However, as sufficient information on applicable parking lots has not been provided even one day before implementation, confusion among users is expected.

🔹 Five-day rotation system begins on the 8th…vehicle access restricted by license plate number
According to related industry sources, the five-day rotation system for passenger vehicles will be introduced at public parking lots operated by public institutions starting on the 8th. The system operates by restricting entry on specific days depending on the last digit of the vehicle’s license plate number. On the first day of implementation, Wednesday the 8th, vehicles with license plate numbers ending in 3 or 8 will not be allowed to use public parking lots. The measure applies not only to official vehicles and employee vehicles of public institutions but also, in principle, to vehicles used by general visitors.

🔹 Compact cars, hybrid vehicles, and rental cars included…virtually all passenger vehicles subject
The scope of application is broad. Compact cars and hybrid vehicles are also included without exception, and rental cars are likewise subject to the system. In particular, rental cars driven by foreign nationals must also comply with the five-day rotation rule. As a result, most drivers intending to use public parking lots are required to check the last digit of their license plate numbers in advance.

🔹 Exceptions for people with disabilities, national merit recipients, electric vehicles, and others
However, certain vehicles are exempt from the rule. These include vehicles used by national merit recipients and persons with disabilities (including when accompanied), vehicles carrying pregnant women or preschool children, electric and hydrogen vehicles, and vehicles for special purposes such as medical or firefighting services. In addition, vehicles recognized by the head of a public institution as having unavoidable necessity, such as livelihood-related vehicles, may also be exempt. In such cases, it may be necessary to apply to the relevant public institution in advance and obtain a parking access permit, so users are advised to check the procedures beforehand.

🔹 Delivery and courier vehicles also subject in principle…permits may be required
Even in cases where vehicles briefly enter affiliated parking lots of public institutions for delivery or food service purposes, the five-day rotation rule must be followed in principle. Accordingly, individuals involved in such activities are required to check necessary procedures, such as applying for permits. Authorities emphasized that even for person-to-person transactions or brief visits to deliver items, entry may be restricted under the five-day rotation system.

🔹 Vehicles carrying children may also require permits…unmanned parking lots a variable
Vehicles carrying young children may qualify for exemption; however, in parking lots operated without staff, a separate permit may be required for entry. Even when entering a parking lot with a child on board, exemption from the five-day rotation system is only recognized when a permit is presented, meaning that prior verification may be necessary depending on the system.

🔹 Some monthly pass holders exempt…application depends on issuance date
For users holding monthly parking passes, the applicability of the system differs depending on the issuance date. If a pass was issued before the 2nd of the month, the user may continue to use the parking lot without being subject to the five-day rotation restriction until the pass expires. However, for passes newly issued or renewed after the 2nd, authorities have recommended that public institutions provide sufficient notice of the system and obtain user consent before issuing the pass.

🔹 Discounts and refunds left to each institution…risk of user confusion
Policies regarding discounts and refunds related to the implementation of the five-day rotation system have been left to the discretion of individual public institutions. As a result, different standards may be applied depending on the institution, raising concerns about possible confusion among users.

🔹 Not all parking lots included
Not all public parking lots are subject to the five-day rotation system. In Seoul, the system will be implemented at 75 public parking lots, while 33 locations near traditional markets, major commercial areas, or residential neighborhoods are excluded. In addition, only paid public parking lots are subject to the rule, and free parking lots are not included. 

🔹 Applies only during operating hours…free access outside operating hours
The five-day rotation system applies only during the operating hours of parking lots. Outside of operating hours, entry and exit are not restricted, allowing vehicles to park freely. Therefore, users must check both the operating hours and whether the parking lot is subject to the five-day rotation system.

🔹 Lack of information…users must check individually
One issue is that even one day before implementation, information on which parking lots are subject to the system has not been fully organized. Some public institutions have not yet submitted their implementation plans. As a result, users are required to individually check whether the parking lot they intend to use is subject to the system.

🔹 Delays in platform updates…difficulty accessing real-time information
Public institutions were instructed to reflect the five-day rotation system information on map platforms such as Naver and Kakao. However, it has been reported that updates are being delayed. A local government official explained that, due to the structure requiring requests to platform providers, parking lot operators cannot easily modify map information, and platform companies also require time to update data. As of now, it is difficult to confirm whether the system is applied through map services.

🔹 Public institution vehicles subject to stricter odd-even system…three-strike rule applied
Meanwhile, for official and employee vehicles of public institutions, the restriction will be strengthened to an odd-even system starting at midnight on the 8th. Under this system, only vehicles with license plate numbers matching the parity of the date (odd or even) may operate. A “three-strike rule” will be applied, under which disciplinary action is taken after three violations. However, visitors to public institutions are only required to comply with the five-day rotation system applied to parking lots.

One-line summary : The five-day rotation system for public parking lots begins on the 8th, restricting vehicle access based on license plate numbers for most vehicles except specific exemptions.