It depends on where the number appears. On the equipment label, it usually identifies the parking meter. On the screen or receipt, it may refer to the location, plate, purchase time, duration, expiry or transaction code. Brazil has no single nationwide format; each city defines its project, and equipment presents the information differently.
Which numbers may appear?
The most common fields are:
| Information | What it is used for |
|---|---|
| Equipment number | Identifies the meter for maintenance, support and auditing |
| Bay, sector or block-face code | Identifies the stretch linked to the session when the city uses location-based control |
| Vehicle plate | Confirms which vehicle received the purchased time |
| Purchase date and time | Records when the transaction occurred |
| Duration and expiry | Shows how much time was purchased and when permission ends |
| Authorization or transaction code | Helps locate the payment in the system |
Not every meter displays every field. In some cities, payment is tied mainly to the plate; in others, a sector, bay or block-face code is also required.
How do I know which number to enter?
Read the label beside the field on the screen or street sign. If the channel asks for the equipment number, look for a label on the meter. If it asks for a bay, sector or zone, use the code shown on that street's regulatory sign. Do not assume that every printed number is a bay code.
What should I check on the receipt?
Before leaving the meter, check:
- the vehicle plate;
- the area, zone or location code, when required;
- the activation date and time;
- the expiry time;
- the transaction identifier.
If a detail is wrong, contact the support channel shown on the equipment or street sign. The receipt helps the city or operator locate the purchase, but it does not correct a session registered for the wrong plate or street section.
Why does the format vary between cities?
Article 24, item X, of Brazil's Traffic Code gives municipalities authority to implement, maintain and operate paid rotational parking. Payment rules, equipment, location controls and receipt fields therefore depend on local regulations and the local project.