Park ShieldGet Park Shield

AI Sign Scan

Can I park here? Scan the sign and see what it says.

Point your phone at a parking sign. Park Shield reads it and lays out the zone, who to pay, the location code and the restriction, so you can check it against the sign in front of you before you park or pay.

Get early access Watch the 18-second demo

See it on a real sign

This is a screen recording of the Park Shield app scanning a pay-by-phone sign in a UK car park, then preparing the payment hand-over. Personal details are hidden.

Read what happens in the video
  1. The driver fits the whole sign in the frame and taps Capture sign.
  2. Park Shield reads the visible sign details, checks the selected parking location and identifies the payment information.
  3. The results show the car park, the provider and location code (RingGo, location 16968), and the restriction: pay to park with your phone.
  4. The driver taps Confirm & Continue — I checked the physical sign, then reviews the hand-over before opening the provider's official page.
Park Shield app, recorded 28 September 2026. Names, email and vehicle registration hidden.

How Sign Scan works

1

Capture the sign

Fit the whole sign inside the marker, hold the phone steady and tap Capture sign. If the photo is unclear, you can rescan, choose a photo from your library or enter the details yourself.

2

AI reads it

Park Shield reads the visible text on the sign and picks out the restriction and payment information. Sign Scan works on whichever sign you photograph; it doesn't depend on a car park you found in nearby parking search.

3

You review and confirm

The results sit next to a photo of the sign. You confirm with I checked the physical sign, or scan again. Nothing is paid at this stage.

Sign read screen: zone Abbey Street West Car Park, payment provider RingGo location 16968, restriction pay to park with your phone, with a photo of the sign

What you see after a scan

  • Zone — the car park or zone name read from the sign and location.
  • Payment provider and location code — for example RingGo, location 16968, and the machine number where shown.
  • Restriction — what the sign says you must do, such as pay to park with your phone.
  • Readable photo — the image the reading came from, so you can compare.
  • Location check — if you have also selected a car park, Park Shield shows the name the sign reads and says Location identity not verified when it can't confirm the two match, so you can make sure you're reading the sign for where you parked.

Why you still check the sign: AI can misread text, signs get changed or covered, and temporary notices can override what is printed. Park Shield labels every reading as AI-assisted guidance and asks you to confirm it against the physical sign. It doesn't guarantee that parking is permitted, and it isn't legal advice. If you want to understand the markings themselves, read yellow lines and parking signs explained.

From the sign to the right payment page

Once you've confirmed the sign, Park Shield prepares a smart payment hand-over: it shows the provider, location code and your vehicle for review, then opens the provider's official page. You pay the provider directly, and payment is completed with them, not Park Shield.

More Park Shield features

Nearby parking search

Search for parking near you and see what's known about each car park, such as its distance and type, and whether the provider and tariff details have been verified or published. It's a separate tool from Sign Scan.

Parking timer

After you've paid the provider, start a timer so you get a reminder before your time runs out. It's a reminder on your phone, not proof of payment.

Find my car

Park Shield saves your spot when you start a session, then directs you back to your car, which helps in large or multi-storey car parks.

Evidence and manual review

Keep the sign photo with your session, or record the sign details yourself when a photo isn't possible.

Frequently asked questions

Can AI tell me if I can park here?

Park Shield reads the sign and shows what it found so you can make the decision. AI can misread a sign, and signs can be changed, covered or supplemented by temporary notices, so always check the physical sign before parking or paying.

What does Sign Scan show after a scan?

The zone or car park name, the payment provider and location code, the restriction, and a photo of the sign so you can compare. It also tells you when a location has only been community-mapped and not verified.

What if the scan can't read the sign?

You can rescan, choose a photo from your library or record the details manually.

Does Park Shield take my parking payment?

No. Park Shield hands you over to the parking provider's official page, and the payment is completed with the provider, not Park Shield.

Can I use Park Shield now?

Park Shield is in early access. Join the waitlist to be invited when a place is available.

Scan smart. Park smarter.

Join the early-access list and tell us which parking problem you want Park Shield to solve first.

Join the early-access list