Jena tests the digital parking ticket

Jena is taking another step towards digitalization: the city is testing digital parking tickets in a four-week pilot phase from February 2025. The aim is to make the current process of issuing parking fines more efficient and citizen-friendly.

Previous process

Until now, the processing of a parking offense has taken place in several steps: The traffic enforcement officer establishes the violation, records all relevant data and documents the situation with photos. An orange notice is then left on the vehicle. The vehicle owner then receives a written warning/hearing from the fines office by post and has seven days to pay the fine or make a statement during the hearing. In the event of a statement, the fining authority then checks the process for correctness, plausibility and completeness. If there is no payment or response, the fines office must then initiate fine proceedings.

New procedure with direct payment option

The new system simplifies this process: instead of a notice, a weatherproof printout with all relevant data and a QR code is left on the vehicle. This QR code can be scanned using standard banking apps and the fine paid directly - the process would then be completed immediately. If payment is not made within seven days, a written warning/hearing will be sent by post as usual.

Test phase and future outlook

During the four-week test phase, the new process will be tested in parallel with the previous system. One part of the traffic monitoring department will continue to work with the previous analog procedure, while the other part will use the new digital system. Two printer models that can be easily integrated into the existing recording software are being tested for this purpose. The focus of the trials is on technical manageability, process optimization and acceptance by those affected. Another key objective is to analyze how often the direct payment option is used. It is expected that a relevant proportion of road users will take up this option, which could reduce both costs and administrative work in the long term. "With the introduction of the digital parking ticket, we are making it much easier for citizens to process warnings. We are thus implementing a further building block for modern, citizen-friendly administration," explains Christian Gerlitz, Head of Traffic and Public Order. If the new procedure proves successful, it will be incorporated into regular operations and introduced across the board. The city of Jena is in contact with other municipalities in Thuringia that have already implemented similar procedures.