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Resident parking card: how to get one and avoid fines

A resident parking card lets you park cheaply near home. How to apply, what it covers, and how it helps you contest a wrongful fine.

Updated 13 June 2026 · 4 min read

If you live in a paid-parking area, a resident card (carte riverain / bewonerskaart) lets you park near your home for a low yearly fee instead of feeding the meter. It's one of the best ways to stop collecting fines.

How to apply

You apply through your municipality, usually online or at the counter, with proof of address and the vehicle registration in your name (or a company/lease attestation). The card is tied to your plate and a defined zone.

What it covers

  • Parking in your residential sector, often without time limit.
  • One card per household vehicle, within local quotas.
  • Sometimes a few visitor days per year.

If you're fined despite a valid card

Camera-scanning cars sometimes miss a freshly issued or renewed card. If that happens, contest it: state your card number and validity dates and attach a copy. This is one of the most successful grounds. Quitte will build that letter for you.

Don't pay a fine you can contest

Snap a photo of your fine. Quitte finds the flaws and writes your contestation letter in French and Dutch, better than a €200 lawyer, free and in seconds.

Contest my fine