Lidl implements ANPR technology at selected stores to automatically track parking times with a 90-minute limit.
New Parking Technology Implementation
Lidl has implemented ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology at parking lots of selected stores. Cameras installed at entrances and exits record vehicle license plates and the exact moments of their appearance and departure from the parking. Based on this, the system automatically calculates the parking time.
For drivers, this means no need to collect tickets or use parking meters. At the same time, responsibility for monitoring parking time rests solely with the user of the parking. Exceeding the permitted limit may result in the imposition of an additional fee, the amount of which is determined by the regulations in effect at a given location.
Industry Context
Such solutions are already commonly used at shopping centers, office buildings, and private parking lots. Currently, retail networks are also increasingly implementing them to limit parking space occupation by people who are not customers of the stores.
Lidl 90-Minute Parking Limit
Parking lots at Lidl stores have a maximum permitted parking time of 90 minutes. After exceeding this limit, the parking operator may charge an additional fee. The ANPR system works automatically and does not require any action from the driver, but at the same time, it does not allow for extending the parking time without leaving the parking.
In addition to the time limit, there are other rules for using the parking. Drivers must follow specific regulations regarding parking usage.
Failure to comply with these rules may also result in additional consequences, including the imposition of fees or action by the parking operator.
Benefits of ANPR System
In practice, the ANPR system allows for very precise monitoring of vehicle traffic. Every entry and exit is recorded with second-by-second accuracy, which eliminates the possibility of error in calculating parking time.
Biedronka’s Previous Test
A similar solution was previously tested by the Biedronka network. A pilot system based on cameras recognizing license plates was launched in one of their stores in Wrocław at Bacciarellego Street.
In this location, there was also a 90-minute parking limit. After exceeding it, drivers had to expect high additional fees. The fee structure varied depending on the duration of the violation.
In extreme cases, the maximum penalty could reach up to 3,500 zł. The system covered one location, and the decision to extend it to other stores was dependent on test results and customer feedback.
Changing Parking Management
The implementation of such solutions shows a clear direction of change in the management of parking lots at stores. Automatic monitoring systems allow operators to precisely control parking time and eliminate the need for physical parking services.
Legal Framework and Consumer Rights
The issue of parking fees at stores has been under observation by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) for years. The Authority has repeatedly pointed to unclear regulations, insufficient signage of parking lots, and complicated complaint procedures.
A key issue is that the additional fee charged by the parking operator is not a fine under the law. It is a civil law fee resulting from the regulations for using a private area. This means that its enforcement requires meeting specific formal conditions. If the parking regulations were not properly marked or the driver did not have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with its content, the payment request may not be legally binding. In such cases, the driver has the right to file a complaint or challenge the validity of the imposed fee.
UOKiK has pointed out that the problem particularly concerns parking lots at stores and shopping centers, where drivers are often not aware of the applicable restrictions or do not notice information about monitoring and parking time limits.
