The days of parking at a failed meter and getting a free spot are about to get harder. Last week Los Angeles' Department of Transportation began marking the new card & coin meters with a red sticker warning drivers that you must pay to park, no other way about it.

If the coin slot is jammed, pay with a credit card. If the credit card swipe won't register, pay with coins. If both don't work, too bad, find another space.

"If you are unable to pay using either the credit/debit card function or cash, you need to move to another parking space," explained LADOT spokesperson Bruce Gillman. "We recommend people call the number on the meter, or simply 311, to report any problems."