Parking the Car

Rahul struggles to find parking near a crowded market, pays for paid parking, and later argues politely with a traffic warden about a parking fine.

Meanings in Rahul, Parking attendant, Traffic warden

Key words and phrases

paid parkinga parking area where a fee must be paid to leave a vehicleThere's paid parking right behind the market.

parking attendanta person who manages a parking area and collects feesThe parking attendant guided him into a tight spot.

parking finea penalty charged for parking illegallyHe received a parking fine for a no-parking zone.

no-parking zonean area where vehicles are not allowed to be parkedThis whole stretch is a no-parking zone.

parking receipta slip given as proof of payment for parkingKeep your parking receipt until you leave.

reverse parkingparking a car by driving backward into a spotHe practised reverse parking for his driving test.

towingremoving an illegally parked vehicle using another vehicleIllegally parked cars are at risk of towing.

traffic wardenan official who enforces parking and traffic rulesA traffic warden was issuing tickets nearby.

parking slota marked space designated for a single vehicleOnly one parking slot was left.

valet parkinga service where staff park your car for youThe restaurant offers valet parking for guests.

parking metera device that charges a fee for the time a vehicle is parkedFeed some coins into the parking meter.

double parkingparking a vehicle alongside another already parked car, blocking itDouble parking here will block other cars.

wheel clampa device locked onto a wheel to stop an illegally parked car from movingThe warden put a wheel clamp on the offending car.

parking permitan official document allowing parking in a specific areaResidents need a parking permit for this street.

basement parkingan underground parking space within a buildingThe mall has three levels of basement parking.

parking lotan open area set aside for parking vehiclesWe left the car in the office parking lot.

street parkingparking a vehicle along the side of a public roadStreet parking is free after eight in the evening.

parking duesthe amount of money owed for parking servicesHe cleared his pending parking dues at the counter.

multi-level parkinga parking structure built with several floors to hold more vehiclesThe new multi-level parking can hold five hundred cars.

overstayto remain parked beyond the paid or permitted timeYou'll be fined if you overstay the parking limit.

Useful sentences

Ask Is there any parking slot available here?
Answer Yes, one spot just opened up near the entrance.
Ask How much do I need to pay for parking?
Answer It's twenty rupees for the first two hours.
Ask Why did I get this parking fine?
Answer You parked in a no-parking zone, sir.
Ask Can you help me with reverse parking?
Answer Sure, turn the wheel slowly and I'll guide you.
Ask Will my car get towed if I park here?
Answer Yes, this area is strictly monitored.
Ask Do I need a parking permit for this street?
Answer No, but only residents get free street parking.
Ask Is there any basement parking in this mall?
Answer Yes, take the ramp down to level two.
Ask Why has that car got a wheel clamp on it?
Answer It overstayed the parking limit by two hours.
Ask Can I clear my pending parking dues here?
Answer Yes, please pay at the counter near the exit.
Ask Is this a multi-level parking or just one floor?
Answer It's multi-level, with space for five hundred cars.

Dialogue

RahulExcuse me, is there any parking near the market?

Parking AttendantYes, sir. Paid parking is right behind that building.

RahulThank you. How much will it cost for two hours?

Parking AttendantThirty rupees, and here's your receipt.

Traffic WardenSir, you've parked outside the marked slot.

RahulI'm sorry, I'll move it right into the slot now.

Traffic WardenAll right, but next time you'll get a parking fine.

RahulUnderstood. Is there a wheel clamp for repeated offences?

Traffic WardenYes, and your car could even be towed away.

RahulNoted. I'll be more careful with the parking slot next time.

Common mistakes

Saying "put the car" instead of "park the car" when talking about leaving a vehicle in a spot.
Saying "parking is there or not" instead of the natural "is there any parking available?"
Saying "my car got towing" instead of "my car got towed."
Saying "clamp is put" instead of "a clamp has been put on the wheel" when describing a wheel clamp.
Saying "I overstayed the parking" instead of "I overstayed the parking limit" or "I overstayed my parking time."
Saying "basement parking is there in down" instead of "there is basement parking downstairs."

Quick quiz

1. What does "towing" mean?

2. An official who enforces parking and traffic rules is called a ___.

3. Complete: "Illegally parked cars are at risk of ___."

4. A device locked onto a wheel to stop an illegally parked car from moving is a ___.

5. What does "overstay" mean in the context of parking?

6. Parking a vehicle alongside another already parked car, blocking it, is called ___.

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