80-year-old paid for parking – still gets a parking fine

The 80-year-old entered his correct license plate number and paid the parking fee. Still, he received a control fee of 450 kronor. When he fought the claim, the cost increased to 1,530 kronor. Now he is considering an appeal.

What started as an ordinary parking stop at Sunderby Hospital ended in a legal dispute for the 80-year-old man. After entering his license plate number into the parking machine, he became unsure if he had done it correctly. He went back to the car to check the information and then returned to the machine.

There, he entered the same correct license plate number a second time. Despite having paid the parking fee, he received a control fee of 450 kronor.

The district court noted that the man had paid the correct fee and provided the correct license plate number—twice. Still, that was not enough. According to the court, the registration and payment must be made in such a way that the electronic system can easily connect the payment to the correct vehicle during a later inspection.

Anyone who parks bears a far-reaching responsibility to ensure the registration is done correctly, states the district court. Even a mistake that seems excusable does not automatically exempt you from payment liability.

The 80-year-old has handled the dispute himself without a lawyer. In court, he questioned, among other things, why the machine did not more clearly show that the registration had been completed correctly. He also argues that parking systems can be difficult for elderly people to use.

450 kronor became 1,530

The original control fee was 450 kronor. After the dispute, collection charges and reimbursement for legal costs were added. In total, the 80-year-old must now pay 1,530 kronor.

He is considering appealing the verdict but is also aware that a continued process could mean additional costs.

– But then I might have to hire a lawyer, he told Kuriren.