In the outer districts

Parking enforcement officers will be on the road in cars in future

Parking enforcement officers will scan the license plates from the car, but they will still have to get out.(Bild: Groh Klemens)

From the end of 2026, parking enforcement officers will no longer just be on foot but will use special vehicles to punish parking offenders.

Due to the extension of the parking sticker to the outer districts, parking enforcement officers often have to cover long distances. On average, they cover 15 kilometers a day on foot, according to the office of Transport Councillor Ulli Sima (SPÖ). In future, their work is to be made easier.

From the end of 2026, they are expected to be provided with cars in the large, spacious districts. They are equipped with sensor devices on the roof. The number plates of parked vehicles are scanned using optical character recognition. "The scan works even if the cars are parked close together," explains a spokesperson for MA 46.

However, the inspectors are not spared having to get out of the car. If the device does not show a hit, they have to check whether a parking ticket filled out by hand is in the windshield. The question arises as to whether e-scooters would not be sufficient for the uniformed officers? "The parking enforcement officers are always out and about in pairs, and a car is more practical and independent of the weather," says MA 46. It also emphasizes that there are no plans to reduce the number of parking enforcement staff as part of the system expansion.