SINGAPORE - Public parking charges have gone up since Dec 1.

For short-term parking, the rates are hiked from 50 cent to 60 cent per half hour; and from $1 to $1.20 per half hour in restricted zones and designated areas.

With the increase, motorists will have to display new parking coupons, which come in denominations of 60 cents, $1.20, and $2.40.

For whole-day parking coupons, denominations are in $12 and $20, and $5 for night parking ones.

While the new coupons have been on sale since Oct 12, motorists have been snapping them up over the past week, leading to stocks running out at several places.

Here are some questions you might have about the parking coupons:

Q: I do not have the new coupons. If I park at a carpark which charges 60 cents per half-hour, can I use two pieces of the old, 50-cent coupons, as substitute?

A: As some motorists may overlook the revised parking charges, the authorities have said they are "extending flexibility" over an initial period, and will issue advisory notices to remind motorists to use the new coupons.

Q: I have been given an advisory notice for using the old coupons. Will I get a summons if I am caught again?

A: Yes. After being issued an advisory notice, motorists who continue to use the old coupons will be issued with a parking offence notice.

Q: Where can I buy the new coupons?

A: The new parking coupons are sold at various places, including petrol stations, Cheers and 7-Eleven stores, as well as Housing & Development Board (HDB) Branches/Service Centres (except the Tampines Branch) and The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Centre.

Q: Where can I exchange my old parking coupons for the new ones?

A: Motorists can bring their old parking coupons to HDB Branches/Service Centres (except the Tampines Branch) and The URA Centre, and exchange them for the new ones by topping up the new value.

Motorists can also get cash refunds for their old coupons there.

Between Dec 1, 2016 and Jan 31, 2017, the old coupons can also be exchanged at any of the 131 participating petrol stations.

While Singapore Petroleum Company (SPC) petrol stations do not provide exchanges of coupons, motorists can still purchase new ones there.

Q: Is there a limit on how many old parking coupons I can exchange at a go?

A: At Caltex and Esso stations, customers can exchange only up to $100 worth of old coupons for new ones.

At Shell stations, each customer can exchange 30 pieces of parking coupons at one time.

Exchanges at Shell petrol stations are available only from 10am to 5pm daily, except on the eve of and on public holidays.

Q: Is there a cut-off date to exchange my old coupons?

A: The participating petrol stations will accept coupon exchanges only until Jan 31, 2017. There is no deadline for exchanges at HDB Branches/Service Centres (except the Tampines Branch) and The URA Centre.