Parking disc
The small clock disc that makes free parking lawful — and a common reason for a fine at spaces that are otherwise free.
A parking disc is a simple clock set to the time you parked and displayed behind the windscreen. It is used at free but time-limited spaces where a supplementary sign gives a maximum stay, for example “2 hours” with a parking-disc requirement. It documents your arrival time.
How to use the disc
Under section 24 of the Parking Regulations, set the hand to the time the vehicle was parked immediately after parking and before leaving the car. It must be clearly visible behind the windscreen and readable by the officer. You cannot obtain a disc afterwards, and changing the time later breaches the documentation duty. Many municipalities and operators accept a digital parking disc, provided it shows the start time in the same way.
Do not have a disc?
Without valid documentation of the arrival time, the time limit is not treated as met even if you were there briefly. The usual lawful options are a physical disc, an accepted digital disc, or other documentation expressly accepted at that location. Read the sign before you leave.
Cost of getting it wrong
Missing or incorrect documentation results in a control sanction, even at a free space:
- 330 kr if you had not exceeded the time limit but lacked valid documentation.
- 660 kr if the vehicle actually exceeded the permitted time.
Showing afterwards that you were within the time limit is normally not accepted: the documentation must have been in place and visible while the car was parked.
In short: at free time-limited parking, document the arrival time with a correctly set and visible parking disc or approved digital disc. Different rules apply at charged spaces.