A TikTok user named Jake (@jakewrantz) says he found an easy trick to leave parking garages without paying. He posted a video showing his method and said it works every single time. Jake claims he never pays for parking garages anymore using this simple trick.
Parking fees can get expensive, especially if you stay somewhere for hours. But Jake’s method is questionable and likely crosses legal lines. According to Motor1, he says you should get your ticket and drive to the exit booth like normal. Then comes the main part of his plan.
In his TikTok video, Jake says you need to press the small “Help” button near the payment machine. An attendant will speak through the intercom, but Jake claims they sound unclear and hard to understand. He compares them to the adults from the cartoon Peanuts. Jake tells people to respond with the same unclear sounds and keep doing it until the attendant gives up.
The trick might work but could land you in serious legal trouble
After that, Jake says to ask “Can you just let me out?” “You have to wait for like 30 seconds of silence and the gate will just open. You’ll be home free,” he claims.
This method might work sometimes, but it’s risky and probably illegal. Parking garages show their fees at the entrance, and driving in means you agree to pay. Leaving without paying on purpose counts as theft in most places. In Texas, the law specifically calls it theft when you leave without paying for a service you’re supposed to pay for right away.
Someone had even simpler solutions. “If you have to take a ticket and it costs per hour, you just get a ticket as you’re walking back up and it’s usually free. Way less stress,” one person pointed out.
Social media has become a place where people share all kinds of questionable advice, including stories about talking obsessively to AI chatbots. However, results change depending on which garage you visit. Another viewer said when they press the help button, attendants walk outside to help them in person.
Modern technology also makes this trick more dangerous. Many garages now use cameras that read license plates. One person said Miami garages scan your plate and mail you a $90 ticket even after you already paid the regular $16 fee. Getting a huge fine in the mail isn’t worth saving a few dollars.
Viewers often turn to TikTok for solutions to their driveway and parking problems, but some of the advice can be questionable. Always use your best judgment when deciding whether it’s worth following.
Published: Dec 11, 2025 02:36 pm