Quick Summary:
- Find the exact plate reference used on your rental paperwork first.
- Type letters and numbers exactly, avoid spaces, hyphens, or state labels.
- If rejected, try the alternate identifier, then pay at a nearby kiosk.
- Photograph the temp plate, VIN label, and payment confirmation screen.
Temporary or paper plates are common with car hire in Los Angeles, especially on newer vehicles or recently registered cars. They work fine on the road, but they can be tricky when you are trying to pay for parking at pay-by-plate meters or within city parking apps. The problem is rarely that you cannot park. It is usually that the system cannot match what you type with the identifier it expects.
This guide explains how LA pay-by-plate parking typically reads plates, how to enter temporary plate details correctly, and what evidence to capture if the system rejects your plate and you need to show you tried to pay.
If you are collecting from LAX, keep your rental agreement and the windscreen handy. Hola Car Rentals compares providers at key Southern California airports, including car rental Los Angeles LAX and car hire at Los Angeles LAX, where temporary plates are not unusual depending on fleet turnover.
What “pay-by-plate” means in Los Angeles
In a pay-by-plate setup, the parking payment is linked to the vehicle’s licence plate details rather than a printed ticket displayed on the dashboard. Enforcement checks your plate, often through a handheld device or camera-based system, to confirm you have paid for that location and time window.
In Los Angeles, you will see pay-by-plate on:
City curbside meters that ask for a plate number before taking payment.
Parking apps used in LA that connect to zone numbers, locations, or meter IDs, then ask for a vehicle plate.
Private car parks and garages that also operate pay-by-plate, even if the signage looks similar to city systems.
For temporary or paper plates, the challenge is that the “plate number” visible on the vehicle may not be the identifier the system expects, or the system may be strict about formatting.
Where your “plate number” might appear on a temporary-plated rental
With car hire, you may have one or more identifiers that look like they could be the plate number:
Paper temporary plate on the rear, often in the same position as a standard plate. It may show the number in large print, plus smaller lines of issuing details and an expiry date.
Sticker or temporary tag in the windscreen. Some vehicles show registration details on a sticker that includes a code, not always matching the large number on the rear paper plate.
Rental agreement or checkout sheet. This may list a licence plate field, a “tag” number, or an internal fleet identifier.
VIN. The Vehicle Identification Number is not your plate number, but it is useful evidence if you later need to explain the vehicle identity.
Your goal is to enter the identifier that enforcement will check against. In most cases, that is the actual plate number printed on the temporary plate, but not always. Some systems are configured to recognise an internal tag number or a different plate string format.
How to enter temporary plate details correctly
When a meter or app asks for a plate number, use these rules first. They solve the majority of rejections.
1) Copy the plate exactly as shown, but only the core characters
Enter letters and numbers only, in the exact order shown on the plate. Ignore words like “California”, “Temporary”, “Dealer”, “Expires”, or any month/date text. Do not add “CA” or the state name unless the system explicitly asks for it.
2) Avoid spaces, hyphens, and punctuation
Many pay-by-plate systems treat spaces or hyphens as different characters and will reject the entry. If the plate appears as “ABC 1234” on paper, type “ABC1234”. If it appears as “ABC-1234”, type “ABC1234”.
3) Check for confusing characters
Temporary plates can be hard to read. Double-check these common mix-ups:
0 (zero) vs O (letter O)
1 (one) vs I (letter I) vs l (lowercase L)
5 vs S
8 vs B
2 vs Z
If an app allows only letters and numbers, always choose the most likely based on the font and spacing. When in doubt, compare the characters against the printed VIN label font on the door jamb, which is clearer, then re-check the plate.
4) Use uppercase, even if the app accepts lowercase
Most systems normalise case, but it is safer and faster to use uppercase.
5) Select the correct state only if asked
If the app asks for a state, choose California, unless your rental truly has a temporary plate from another state. Some out-of-state rentals happen, especially if fleet is moved around the region. If you flew into Santa Ana and picked up there, you may see slightly different patterns, and Hola Car Rentals also covers car rental Santa Ana SNA options where you might encounter different fleets.
What to do when the app or meter rejects your plate
Rejection messages vary, but they usually mean one of three things: formatting is wrong, the system cannot find your plate format, or the location uses a different payment method than you think.
Step 1: Re-enter with formatting changes
Try again with these quick variations, one at a time:
Remove spaces and hyphens.
Swap O and 0 if either is plausible.
Swap I and 1 if either is plausible.
If the plate includes a leading letter that might be a state marker, omit it, but only if the remaining string still matches the core plate number you see.
Step 2: Look for an alternate identifier on your paperwork
Some rental agreements show both a “Licence Plate” and a “Unit” or “Tag” number. If the parking system rejects the plate, try the value listed as licence plate on your agreement. If it rejects again, try any “tag” value only if it is clearly labelled as such. Do not try the VIN as a substitute unless the machine explicitly asks for VIN.
Step 3: Confirm you are paying for the correct zone or meter
Many LA parking apps require a zone number from the sign or meter. If you enter the wrong zone, the app might behave oddly or show errors that look like plate problems. Walk back to the sign and confirm the exact zone, street segment, and restrictions, including street cleaning times.
Step 4: Use the nearest working payment alternative
If the app will not accept the plate, use another accepted payment method at that location. Options may include:
A nearby pay station that accepts card and allows manual plate entry.
A different app listed on the sign for the same zone.
A staffed garage pay desk for private facilities.
Step 5: If you cannot pay, relocate rather than risk a ticket
If the system repeatedly refuses your entry and there is no alternate payment method, it is safer to move to a different space or a private car park where payment is straightforward. For travellers using larger vehicles, switching to a garage with attended entry can reduce friction. Hola Car Rentals also lists larger options via van hire California LAX, which may fit better in garages with higher clearance and clearer payment kiosks.
What to photograph if your plate is rejected
If you receive an error, or you pay using a workaround, collect evidence in case enforcement issues a citation or a garage disputes your payment. The goal is to show the vehicle identifier, the location, the time, and your attempt to pay.
Take these photos, in this order:
1) The temporary plate, straight-on and legible
Frame the entire plate, including the number and any expiry date. Avoid glare. Take one close photo and one wider photo that shows the plate attached to the car.
2) The windscreen temporary tag or registration sticker
If there is a tag in the windscreen, capture it. Even if it is not used for payment, it supports the fact the vehicle is on temporary registration.
3) The VIN label on the driver’s door jamb
Open the driver’s door and photograph the VIN label. This helps match the vehicle to your rental agreement if needed.
4) The rental agreement page showing plate or vehicle details
Photograph the section that lists the licence plate, vehicle make/model, and rental dates. Ensure your personal data is not unnecessarily visible if you later share it, but keep a complete copy for yourself.
5) The parking sign with restrictions and the zone or meter number
Stand close enough that the zone number and time limits are readable. Also capture the street name if possible.
6) The error screen
Take a screenshot or photo showing the entered plate string and the error message. If it does not display the plate, take a picture of the entry screen before you submit.
7) Proof of payment or attempted payment
If you managed to pay, save the confirmation screen showing the plate (or the identifier used), location, start time, and duration. If you could not pay, capture the “payment failed” message plus the time on your phone screen.
Organise these images in a single album named with the date and location, so you can find them quickly if you need to contest something later.
Common LA scenarios with temporary plates
Curbside meters in busy areas
In popular districts, enforcement can be quick. If you are not confident the payment tied to your temporary plate has gone through, do not assume you are safe because you paid. Confirm the plate displayed on the confirmation screen matches what is on the vehicle.
Garages with licence-plate recognition cameras
Some garages scan plates at entry and exit. Temporary plates sometimes fail to scan due to glare, wrinkles in paper, or low contrast. If the gate will not open, press the help button and explain it is a temporary plate rental. Photograph the intercom screen or ticket if one is issued.
Valet parking
Valets may write down the plate. For temporary plates, ask them to repeat the characters back to you to ensure they noted it correctly. A small transcription mistake can cause confusion later.
Tips to avoid problems before you park
Clean the rear plate area gently
Paper plates can get dusty or damp. A quick wipe can make characters more legible for cameras and humans. Do not rub hard enough to smear ink.
Know the plate string you will use
Before you leave the car hire facility, note the exact plate characters in your phone notes. Confirm whether your rental agreement lists the same string. This prevents rushed entry at the kerb.
Keep battery and data in mind
Parking apps fail at the worst moments when your phone is low on power or signal is weak in garages. Carry a charging cable and take a screenshot of any confirmation.
If travelling on a tight schedule, choose simpler payment locations
If you are heading to a flight, avoid relying on a single app acceptance of a temporary plate. In the LAX area, allow extra time for parking and payment steps. Hola Car Rentals also provides provider pages such as Avis car hire California LAX and Payless car hire Los Angeles LAX, and whichever supplier you use, it is worth checking the plate details before you drive off.
FAQ
Q: Should I enter the expiry date from the temporary plate into the parking app?
A: No. Pay-by-plate systems typically want only the plate characters. Enter letters and numbers only, unless the app specifically asks for more.
Q: The app says my plate is invalid, but I copied it exactly. What next?
A: Remove spaces and hyphens, then re-check confusing characters like O and 0. If it still fails, try the licence plate value shown on your rental agreement, then use an alternate kiosk or payment method if available.
Q: Can I use the VIN instead of the plate for LA curbside parking?
A: Usually no. Most curbside pay-by-plate systems are keyed to the licence plate, not the VIN. Only use VIN if the machine explicitly requests it.
Q: What evidence is most useful if I get a ticket after trying to pay?
A: Photos of the temporary plate, the parking sign or zone number, and the payment confirmation or error screen are the strongest. Add the VIN label and rental agreement details to support the vehicle identity.
Q: If I switch cars during my trip, do I need to update my parking app?
A: Yes. Update the saved vehicle in the app to match the new plate before you start a session. Otherwise, your payment may attach to the old plate and not protect the car you are actually driving.
