What counts as blocking
- Non-EV parked in an EV bay — fined or towed in many cities and private lots.
- EV parked but not charging — many bays are “charging only”.
- Overstaying after charging — time limits or idle fees are common, especially at fast chargers.
- Blocking access — objects or cars in front of the charger.
Whether a rule is public law, a city ordinance or a private lot policy differs widely. Read the sign on the bay.
Example: Korea’s time limits
| Act (Korea) | Fine |
|---|---|
| Non-eligible car parked in a charging bay | 100,000 won |
| Blocking a charger with objects or parking | 100,000 won |
| Staying past 1 hour at a fast charger or 14 hours at a slow charger | 100,000 won |
| Deliberately damaging a charger | 200,000 won |
Enforcement was broadened from January 28, 2022, and residential complexes above a certain size are included. Reports are made through the Safety Report app with time-stamped photos.
Unmarked bays
In 2024 Korea’s Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission recommended cancelling a fine for a driver who parked in an apartment space that had been converted to EV charging without any paint or signage. Wherever you are, a photo of an unclear bay at the time you parked is useful evidence.
Logging your charging start
Add a record when you plug in
Plug in, then open the Add screen in Parking Spot Memo. The time is saved as Parked at. Put the charger number in Zone / Number and a reminder like “fast, move within 1 h” in Memo.
Use your phone’s alarm
The app has no notifications. Set an alarm for shortly before the limit or the expected end of charging.
Photo of the bay as a record
If the bay markings are faded, photograph the ground and signs and attach the photo to the record.
The photos in the screenshots are placeholder images used to show the app’s screens.
FAQ
Can plug-in hybrids use EV bays?
It depends on local rules and the lot’s signs. Check the posted rules before parking.
Is there an app timer for charging?
No. The app only records when you started; use your phone’s alarm for reminders.
Sources: Korea.kr, 14-hour limit at slow EV chargers (Korean) · Gwanak-gu, EV charging obstruction fines (Korean) · Korea.kr, reporting EV charging bay violations (Korean) · ACRC, fine cancelled for an unmarked EV bay (Korean)
Where’s My Car? Parking Spot Memo
Save where you parked with one photo plus floor and zone notes. Free on Android, no sign-up, and your records stay on your phone.