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Public parking spaces will operate on a rotation system from Wednesday. Here's what you need to know.

Published: 08 Apr. 2026, 07:00

Public servants attach a banner notifying users of the two-day rotation driving and parking system at a parking space at Buk District Office in Gwangju on April 7. [BUK DISTRICT]

Starting Wednesday, public parking spaces nationwide will allow vehicle entry based on the last digit of their license plates under the so-called “five-day rotation system.”

Public sector workers’ vehicles will face tightened driving regulations under the “two-day rotation” — colloquially known as an "odd-even system" — which bans vehicle use every other day based on license plate numbers, starting the same day.

The measures come as the government raised the crude oil resource security alert to the “alert” level, the third highest in its four-tier system, amid the prolonged Iran war.

On the first day of implementation, which falls on Wednesday, vehicles with license plates ending in 3 or 8 will not be allowed to use public parking lots. Specifically, vehicles are restricted by the last digit of their license plates: those ending in 1 or 6 cannot enter on Mondays; 2 or 7 on Tuesdays; 3 or 8 on Wednesdays; 4 or 9 on Thursdays; and 5 or 0 on Fridays.

Given the potential for confusion, the JoongAng Ilbo offers guidance based on the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment's explanations.

A banner explains ″five-day rotation system″ at a public parking space in Jongno District, central Seoul, on April 7. [NEWS1]

Q. Which public parking lots are subject to the five-day rotation system?

A. Of the roughly 30,000 on-street and off-street paid parking facilities operated by public and state institutions nationwide, not all will participate in the scheme.

Parking areas where the rotation system could undermine public convenience and local economy, such as those near traditional markets, tourist attractions or transit areas, can be excluded. Sites facing heavy congestion and potential parking shortages, as well as areas with relatively low traffic where the policy would have limited effect, can be exempted at the discretion of the head of the relevant public institution.

A total of 75 public parking spaces in Seoul will adopt the five-day rotation system, while 33 locations near traditional markets, major commercial districts or residential areas will be excluded from the scheme. Public parking spaces near Gwangjang Market or the cable car station on Mount Namsan will also remain exempt, as heavy tourist traffic is anticipated.

Drivers must check individually whether the public parking lot they intend to use is subject to the rotation scheme.

Although the Energy Ministry instructed public institutions to reflect this information on digital maps provided by major IT firms, such as Naver and Kakao, it has not yet been implemented as of press time. Currently, the information can only be checked partially through the city-run parking information system.

City officials place a notice about ″two-day rotation” vehicle usage and parking system a day before implementation at an employee parking space in Gunpo, Gyeonggi, on April 7. [YONHAP]

Are there exceptions?

The rotation system applies to passenger vehicles with fewer than 10 seats.

Entry to parking lots is restricted by the last digit of the license plate, depending on the day of the week. Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays are not subject to the restriction.

Vehicles carrying persons with disabilities, national merit recipients, pregnant women or preschool children are not affected. Special-purpose vehicles, including those used for medical, diplomatic, press, security, police and fire services, are also allowed to enter and park in public parking spaces.

While electric and hydrogen-powered cars can park regardless of the scheme, compact cars and hybrid vehicles are included for effective energy conservation.

In addition, those who must use public parking lots for livelihood reasons can apply for an exemption through their local government. If approved, they will receive an indication marker — a proof of exemption.

A banner shows which license plate numbers are barred from entry on each day of the week in a parking lot in Jongno District, central Seoul, on April 7. [NEWS1]

What happens to monthly parking pass holders?

The exact purchase date of monthly parking passes will determine whether pass users’ vehicles are subject to the rotation scheme.

Passes purchased by last Wednesday, or April 1, when the policy was announced, will remain applicable until their expiry at the end of the month, regardless of the scheme.

However, passes bought or renewed since last Thursday, or April 2, would be issued on the condition of complying with the rotation system.

The Seoul city government will exempt existing monthly parking passes for this month, or April, from the restrictions and obtain drivers’ consent to follow the restrictions when purchasing passes for next month, or May.

A car enters the central government complex in Jongno District, central Seoul on April 6. [NEWS1]

When visiting public institutions, is it the five-day system or the odd-even system?

Separate from the five-day rotation system for public parking lots, a stricter two-day rotation system based on odd and even numbers will be applied for vehicles used by public institutions. On odd-numbered days, only vehicles with license plates ending in odd numbers may operate, and on even-numbered days, only even-numbered vehicles may operate. This applies to employee vehicles and official government vehicles.

However, visitors’ vehicles are not subject to the two-day system. Instead, the visitors should follow the five-day rotation system. Visitors are advised to check in advance whether the five-day rotation system is in effect in spaces they may visit.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY CHON KWON-PIL [[email protected]]