Park your vehicle in a vacant parking space clearly associated with a meter. Read the specifications for using the meter, which tells you the hourly rate, the maximum duration of time you are allowed to park there, the hours and days in which parking is permissible as well as the type of money the meter accepts. Various cities have different parking rates and rules, but the reason you use a meter is probably because you are in a location where parking is in high demand.
Read the time the meter shows. While some displays are analog gauges, most are digital, which show the time more clearly. Under the circumstance that your parking meter displays a time of "0:00," decide how long you wish to park and if it is worth the amount of money you will spend using the meter. Often, there will be time remaining from the previous user, so you will pay less to park there. For example, if the meter already displays a remaining time of "1:00" (one hour) and you wish to park for two hours, you can park for half the price.
Decide the form of payment you would like to use. Virtually all meters accept coins, and new ones even accept debit or credit cards. Insert the coins into the coin slot or swipe your card and follow the instructions the meter gives you. If you use coins, watch the time increase on the meter's display as you continue to insert more money. Stop inserting coins when the meter's display shows the amount of time you need.
Turn the crank, or press any appropriate buttons to complete the transaction.
