Question 1

What is Spark Your Car?

Accepted Answer

Spark Your Car is a parking marketplace. Drivers ("Sparkers") find and reserve privately owned parking near where they're going, and people or businesses with parking ("Hosts") earn money from space they already have. Spark unlocks parking that already exists — driveways, garages, store lots, gas stations, churches, office buildings, private lots — and makes it bookable from your phone.

Question 2

How does Spark work?

Accepted Answer

Sparkers: search near your destination, choose an available space, reserve it in the app, then navigate straight to it. Your parking session starts when you arrive and ends when you leave. Hosts: list your space with photos and instructions, set when it's available and what it costs, receive reservations, and get paid to your Spark wallet.

Question 3

Where is Spark available?

Accepted Answer

Spark is live in the United States. Spaces appear wherever Hosts have listed them, so coverage grows city by city as Hosts join. Search your destination in the app to see what's available near you.

Question 4

How do I download Spark?

Accepted Answer

Spark is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Visit sparkyourcar.com/get-app on your phone and it takes you straight to the right store, or search "Spark Your Car" in the store.

Question 5

Do I need an account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You need a free account to book or list parking. Sign up with your email or continue with Apple or Google. We ask for a phone number so Hosts and Sparkers can reach each other about a reservation — it's kept private and masked.

Question 6

What is a Sparker?

Accepted Answer

A Sparker is a driver who uses Spark to find and reserve parking. If you need parking, you're a Sparker.

Question 7

What is a Host?

Accepted Answer

A Host is anyone who lists parking on Spark — a homeowner with a driveway, a business with a lot, a church, a gas station, an office building. One account can be both: switch between Sparker and Host from your Profile.

Question 8

How do I find parking?

Accepted Answer

Open the app and tap Find Parking. Enter your destination or use Find parking near my current location. Results show distance, drive time, parking type and price. Filter by type, and save favorites with the heart icon.

Question 9

How do I book parking?

Accepted Answer

Open a listing, tap Book, choose when you'll arrive and how long you'll stay, review the price breakdown, accept the cancellation policy and confirm. Payment comes from your Spark wallet. Some Hosts confirm reservations manually — you'll see "pending" until they accept.

Question 10

Can I book in advance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Pick any future start time (in 15-minute steps) within the Host's availability, including the very next available slot if you're already at the space.

Question 11

What types of parking can I book?

Accepted Answer

Private driveways and garages, covered carports, commercial and business lots (including after-hours), residential building lots, church and community lots, gas stations, alley or rear-access parking, EV charging spaces, and more. Hourly, full-day, weekly and monthly options depend on the listing. Spark also has a separate category for large commercial vehicles (trucks, RVs, equipment).

Question 12

Can I extend my session?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the space is still free after your end time. Open your booking and tap Extend; you'll see the added cost before confirming. Spark alerts you before your session ends so you have time to extend or leave.

Question 13

What happens if I arrive early?

Accepted Answer

If the space is free before your start time, your booking offers Start Early. You'll see the extra charge for the early minutes and can accept it. If the space isn't free yet, wait for your scheduled time.

Question 14

What happens if I stay past my reservation?

Accepted Answer

There's a 15-minute grace period after your end time. Past that, you're charged the Host's rate for the extra time plus a flat overstay fee, and a further fee applies after an extended overstay. Extending before the end time is always cheaper — see the Overstay Policy.

Question 15

How do I contact my Host?

Accepted Answer

From your booking: Message for in-app chat, or Call / Text to reach them by phone through a Spark-masked number.

Question 16

Can I call my Host?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every active reservation has a Call button. The call is routed through a Spark number, so neither of you sees the other's personal phone number.

Question 17

Can I text my Host?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tap Text on your booking to send an SMS through Spark's masked number, or use the in-app Message thread.

Question 18

Will my Host see my personal phone number?

Accepted Answer

No. Calls and texts through Spark use a Spark-owned number. Your personal number is never shown to the Host.

Question 19

What happens if I can't access my parking space?

Accepted Answer

Tap Can't park here? on your booking. Spark shows nearby alternatives you can switch to with your booking value applied, and if nothing suitable is available your funds are returned as a refund or credit. You can also contact the Host directly or reach Spark support.

Question 20

How do cancellations work?

Accepted Answer

You can cancel any time before your scheduled start time from the booking screen; any cancellation fee is shown at checkout, and the rest returns to your wallet. Once the start time arrives, the reservation can no longer be self-cancelled. Full text: Cancellation & Refund Policy.

Question 21

Can I communicate with my Host?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Spark includes both Call and Text options that allow Sparkers and Hosts to communicate when necessary regarding a booking or parking session, plus in-app messaging.

Question 22

Will my personal phone number be shared?

Accepted Answer

No. Spark masks personal phone numbers when Hosts and Sparkers communicate through the platform. This allows both parties to call or text when needed without exposing their personal phone numbers.

Question 23

Who can become a Host?

Accepted Answer

Anyone 18+ who controls a parking space they're allowed to rent: homeowners, renters with permission, businesses, churches, property managers, and commercial property owners.

Question 24

What types of spaces can I list?

Accepted Answer

Driveways, garages, carports, tandem spaces, business lots (including after-hours), gas station spaces, church or community lots, residential building lots, alley or rear-access parking, EV charging spaces, and multi-space commercial lots. There's also a separate listing type for large commercial vehicles.

Question 25

Can I list my driveway if I still use it?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that's the point. Your availability schedule controls exactly when your space can be booked: work hours, weekends away, specific days. Use it when you need it. Spark it when you don't.

Question 26

Can I choose when my space is available?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Set per-day availability — 24 hours, or specific time windows — and the booking calendar only offers those slots.

Question 27

Can I change availability?

Accepted Answer

Any time, from My Listings → Edit. Existing reservations are kept; new bookings follow the updated schedule.

Question 28

Can I set my own price?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You set the hourly rate, optional daily rate, and optional weekly/monthly discounts. Multi-day bookings can carry a vacation discount you define.

Question 29

Can I list multiple spaces?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Create as many listings as you have locations, and give a lot or garage a capacity so several Sparkers can book it at once.

Question 30

How do payouts work?

Accepted Answer

Your share of every completed booking lands in your Spark wallet as host earnings. Withdraw to your bank through Stripe (a one-time payout setup in the app) once your balance reaches the minimum withdrawal amount shown in the wallet. Spark keeps a service percentage of the parking charge; verified safety features (camera, motion light, signage) raise your share.

Question 31

How do I know when someone books?

Accepted Answer

You get a push notification for every new reservation, when the Sparker is on their way, when they arrive (geofence), and when they leave. Listings can be set to accept instantly or require your confirmation.

Question 32

What vehicle information will I receive?

Accepted Answer

The Sparker's vehicle make, model, color and license plate, plus a vehicle photo when they've added one — so you know exactly which car belongs in your space.

Question 33

Can businesses become Hosts?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Gas stations, restaurants, retail, churches, offices, apartment buildings, schools and private lots can list one space or a whole lot with capacity, and control hours (for example after-hours only). See Spark for Business.

Question 34

Can I call a Sparker?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Hosts have the same Call and Text buttons on each booking, routed through Spark's masked number.

Question 35

Can I text a Sparker?

Accepted Answer

Yes — tap Text on the booking, or use in-app Message.

Question 36

Is my personal phone number shared?

Accepted Answer

No. Sparkers only ever see a Spark number when you call or text through the app.

Question 37

Can Hosts contact Sparkers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Hosts can also use Spark's Call and Text options when communication is needed regarding a reservation or parking session. Personal phone numbers remain masked.

Question 38

How are payments processed?

Accepted Answer

Bookings are paid from your Spark wallet. You add funds with a card through Stripe, our payment processor; Spark never stores your card number. The full price breakdown (parking charge, Spark fee, any tax or service fee) is shown before you confirm.

Question 39

What payment methods are accepted?

Accepted Answer

Major credit and debit cards, processed by Stripe. Apple Pay and Google Pay availability depends on your device and Stripe.

Question 40

When do Hosts get paid?

Accepted Answer

Earnings are credited to the Host's wallet when a booking completes. Withdrawals go to your bank via Stripe once payout setup is done and your balance meets the minimum withdrawal amount.

Question 41

Are there booking fees?

Accepted Answer

Spark adds a service fee, shown as its own line at checkout, on top of the Host's parking charge. There are no hidden fees — everything is itemized before you pay. See Fees & Charges.

Question 42

How are refunds handled?

Accepted Answer

Cancellations before start time return funds to your wallet (minus any disclosed cancellation fee). Eligible wallet funds you loaded yourself can be returned to your original card from the wallet screen. Disputes and exceptional refunds are handled by Spark support.

Question 43

How do I start my parking session?

Accepted Answer

Tap I'm on my way for directions, then I've arrived when you're in the space — or let Spark detect your arrival automatically when your phone enters the parking geofence. Already at the space before your start time? Use Start Parking Early on your booking.

Question 44

How does Spark know I've arrived?

Accepted Answer

With your permission, Spark uses a small geofence around the space (about 200 m / 650 ft). When your phone enters it during your booking window, Spark records the arrival and notifies the Host. You can always tap I've arrived manually.

Question 45

What happens when my parking time is almost over?

Accepted Answer

Spark sends an end-of-session alert before your time is up, with a live countdown and the options to Extend or confirm you're leaving.

Question 46

How do extensions work?

Accepted Answer

Tap Extend on the active booking, choose the extra time, see the price, confirm. Extensions are only offered while the space is still free after your end time.

Question 47

What happens if a vehicle overstays?

Accepted Answer

After the 15-minute grace period the Sparker is charged for the extra time plus the overstay fee, and the Host is notified. Vehicles left well past a reservation may be subject to the property's towing rules — see the Overstay Policy.

Question 48

Is my vehicle insured while parked?

Accepted Answer

Spark is a marketplace connecting drivers and Hosts; your own auto insurance and the Host's property coverage apply as they normally would. Read the Safety, Risk & Insurance disclosures for details.

Question 49

How do I report a problem?

Accepted Answer

From any listing, user, review or message use Report. For booking or account issues go to Profile → Help in the app or use Contact Support. Safety emergencies: call local emergency services first.

Question 50

How do I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

In the app: Profile → Deactivate account. Or follow sparkyourcar.com/delete-account.

Question 51

How does Spark work for a business with a parking lot?

Accepted Answer

List the lot once with its capacity and the hours you want to sell (for example evenings and weekends, or after-hours only). Spark sells individual spaces from that capacity, notifies you of arrivals, and pays earnings to your wallet.

Question 52

Can I limit parking to when my business is closed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your availability schedule is per day and per time window, so you can sell only the hours that don't interfere with your customers.

Question 53

Can I host trucks or large vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Spark has a dedicated Large Commercial Vehicle listing type where you specify the vehicle kinds you can accommodate and the largest size that can enter, park and exit.

Question 54

What is Spark for Corporate?

Accepted Answer

Spark for Corporate helps organizations connect employees, visitors, contractors and guests with private parking near the places they need to be. Tell us your locations and needs through the corporate inquiry form and we'll design a solution.

Question 55

Can my organization also earn from its own parking?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Organizations can be both a Spark customer and a Spark Host — for example selling visitor parking on weekends while sourcing overflow parking on weekdays.

Frequently asked questions.