FLEX Parking Guide

Parking Guide
Québec City Region

The parking permits assigned to us—and the privileges or restrictions that come with them—vary based on the type of service (e.g., FLEX, station-based vehicles) and the location, including on-street or off-street parking and the city where the permit was issued.

Use the links below to learn about the rules applicable to each type of service.

The parking permits for these vehicles only apply to the parking space the vehicle occupies when not in use (between reservations).

There are no additional parking privileges associated with using these vehicles.

More information on station-based vehicles

Unlike regular stations (see above), where you’ll find vehicles in very specific locations, station zones refer to a defined area on the map. Vehicles assigned to these zones are parked on the street. You’ll only know the exact location of your reserved vehicle shortly before your trip—up to 10 minutes in advance if the vehicle is already available.

In Québec City, station zone vehicles, like FLEX vehicles, have permits that allow you to park in spaces reserved for residential permit holders. However, unlike FLEX vehicles, this privilege applies only within the boundaries of the zone shown on the map.

Apart from this, station zone vehicles are subject to the same restrictions as FLEX vehicles:
It is prohibited to end a trip in areas with parking restrictions (whether permanent or temporary), even if parking is allowed at the time you finish your trip.
Also, as with FLEX, it is always forbidden to park a station zone vehicle in spots reserved for vehicles from another Communauto station.

How does a “station zone” work?

All FLEX vehicles have VA permits.

In Québec, these permits allow you to park in spots reserved for residential permit holders.

However, this only applies if you are within the FLEX service zone (area on the map shown in orange in the Communauto app).

To learn how to identify permit zones, see the section below: “Understanding Signage When Driving a FLEX Vehicle in Québec.”

Restrictions Applicable in Québec

Despite this privilege, like all other road users, you must comply with existing signage.

You are not allowed to end a FLEX trip in a location subject to any restriction (permanent or temporary), even if parking is allowed at the time you park the vehicle. 

Please note: members are never permitted to park FLEX vehicle in spaces reserved for station-based vehicles. (See “Station-Based Vehicles Available by Reservation” above.)

Understanding Signage When Driving a FLEX Vehicle in Québec

Locations Where Ending a FLEX Trip is Allowed Under Certain Conditions
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Residential Permit Zones
You may park in residential permit zones when within the FLEX zone. You must, however, follow all signage like any other driver.
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FLEX Zone
At the end of a trip, FLEX vehicles must always be left within the service zone, at the curb (on public property), in a free (non-metered) space.
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FLEX Drop-off Points

These are off-street parking areas generally located outside the FLEX zone, where you can start and end a FLEX trip.

  • Before heading to a FLEX drop-off point, check the Communauto app to see if parking is available or if specific rules apply.
  • Spots are limited: an icon will show available spaces. Some drop-off points may be closed due to roadwork or snow removal operations.
  • Parking icons are clickable. Select an icon for more information about a FLEX drop-off point.

Examples of Signs Indicating Where FLEX Trips Cannot Be Ended at Any Time in Québec
(This list is not exhaustive.)

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Spaces Reserved for Station-Based Vehicles
You cannot park a FLEX vehicle (even temporarily) in spaces reserved for Communauto station vehicles. You also cannot park a vehicle from one Communauto station at the parking spot of another station.
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Bus Lanes and Stops
You may not return a vehicle to a bus lane or bus stop area, even if parking is allowed at that time.
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Snow Removal Operations

During snow removal operations, beware of flashing orange lights! If you’re using a FLEX vehicle after 6 PM when snow removal is scheduled by the city, you are responsible for parking it in an authorized spot for the night.

You cannot end a trip until the snow operation is complete (i.e., once the flashing lights stop).

FLEX vehicles may be parked in designated public lots during snow operations.

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Metered Parking
Parking is allowed during a trip. However, trips cannot end in metered spaces, even if no fees are charged at that time.
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Reserved Parking
In authorized parking zones with time limits.
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No Parking Zones
In zones where parking is prohibited.
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No Stopping Zones
In areas where stopping is prohibited or other permanent restrictions apply.
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Zone T (Worker Permit Zone)
In worker permit areas (Zone T).

Additionally, it is strictly forbidden to end a FLEX trip in the following locations:

  • In private, residential, or commercial parking lots, unless it’s a FLEX drop-off point.Users parking in locations marked as closed in the Communauto app may be charged a fine (always check the app before parking at a FLEX drop-off point).

FLEX Pass

Maximize your freedom with FLEX Passes!

With a FLEX pass, your eligible trips only become billable after the 31st minute (- km included per trip, -¢ per km after - km).

Two types of passes are available, each with its own specific perks and significant savings.

15-trip FLEX Pass

Pays for itself after only 5 trips or less if you are a Value plan member. 

Unlike the FLEX Unlimited Pass, with this product it’s up to you to decide if you want to use a pass for a given trip.  

See general terms of use for applicable terms and conditions, and click on this link to find out how to use your pass >

FLEX Unlimited Pass

Pays for itself after only 8 trips or less if you’re a Value plan member. 

There is no limit to the number of trips you can make with this pass. However, you must allow a period of 45 minutes after the end of a trip before blocking or using a vehicle again.

See general terms of use for applicable conditions.

The FLEX 15-trip pass gives you more flexibility, in that you don’t have to wait 45 minutes for a credit on your next trip. It’s up to you to choose the type of pass that best suits your needs!

How to obtain a FLEX Pass

You can purchase a FLEX Pass at any time through the app or by logging into your online account.

Please note: You need a smartphone (or a tablet compatible with the Communauto application) to take advantage of 15-trip FLEX Pass, otherwise you will not be able to activate your passes when using a vehicle.

How to use your 15-trip FLEX Pass

With a 15-trip FLEX pass, it’s up to you whether you want to use a pass on any given ride! You can activate it on any trip.

Please note: once the trip is over, it is no longer possible to change your selection so do not forget to activate the pass before releasing the vehicle if you want to use it!

Conversely, do not forget to deactivate the pass if the duration of your trip means that you will not save enough to justify using a pass for that trip (if you activate a pass for a vehicle you’ve blocked, but then don’t use the vehicle, the pass will automatically deactivate for that trip).

Pro tip: Activate the pass immediately after blocking the vehicle so you don’t risk forgetting afterwards!

General terms of use

  • Your eligible trips only become billable starting on the 31st minute (- km included/trip, -¢ per additional kms).  
  • The free period applies to the first billable 30 minutes of your trip. You remain eligible for all other credits that may apply when you use a FLEX vehicle: 30 free minutes to get to the vehicle once it has been blocked, credit of up to 15 minutes for snow removal in winter, and 20 free minutes when you fuel up with at least $20 of gas. The relocation credit, however, cannot be combined with the 30-minute FLEX Pass credit. Only one 30-minute credit will be granted per trip.  
  • Unless you have chosen one of the other Damage Protection Plan options the cost per trip with the default option to limit your liability to $- in the event of an accident, whether at fault or not, apply.
  • The use of a pass may be suspended without the right to credit, refund, or extension of the period of validity, in the event of non-compliance with the terms of the Contract or Rules and Regulations for the use of vehicles (balance overdue, bank withdrawal failure, etc.).

Conditions specific to FLEX Unlimited Pass

Consecutive use of vehicles: to enjoy the 30 free minutes of use, you must allow a period of 45 minutes after the end of a trip before blocking or using a vehicle again. The same period applies to the successive use of the same vehicle by a co-member or authorized driver working for the same employer.

Conditions specific to FLEX passes comprising a predetermined number of trips including the FLEXauto pass offered by the Réseau de transport de la Capitale in Québec (RTC)

  • The pass is valid for a specific number of trips (i.e. 15 for the regular pass that can be obtained from Communauto and 10 in the case of the FLEXauto pass offered by the RTC).
  • The regular pass offered by Communauto has no expiration date, whereas unused trips from a FLEXauto pass provided by the Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) in Quebec cannot be carried over to the following month.
  • It’s up to you whether or not you apply the pass on a particular trip. You can activate it on any trip (there are no restrictions).  
  • You can activate your pass from the moment you block a vehicle; it is then possible to deactivate or reactivate it as many times as you wish for as long as the trip is still in progress. Once the vehicle has been released, it is no longer possible to modify your selection.  
  • The use of a FLEX Pass is reserved to its holder. As part of a family or business membership, each co-member or authorized driver will need to add their own FLEX Pass to their account to also take advantage of the offer.

FLEX Pass

Maximize your freedom with FLEX Passes!

With a FLEX pass, your eligible trips only become billable after the 31st minute (- km included per trip, -¢ per km after - km). You will have one month from the effective date to use your pass.  

Two types of pass are available, each with its own specific perks and significant savings.

15-trip FLEX Pass

Pays for itself after only 5 trips or less if you are a Value plan member. 

Unlike the FLEX Unlimited Pass, with this product it’s up to you to decide if you want to use a pass for a given trip.  

See general terms of use for applicable terms and conditions, and click on this link to find out how to use your pass >

FLEX Unlimited Pass

Pays for itself after only 8 trips or less if you’re a Value plan member. 

There is no limit to the number of trips you can make with this pass. However, you must allow a period of 45 minutes after the end of a trip before blocking or using a vehicle again.

See general terms of use for applicable conditions.

The FLEX 15-trip pass gives you more flexibility, in that you don’t have to wait 45 minutes for a credit on your next trip, but you may need to buy more than one pass in a month if you use vehicles very often. It’s up to you to choose the type of pass that best suits your needs!  

How to obtain a FLEX Pass

You can purchase a FLEX Pass at any time by logging into your online account. It is then possible to renew it easily via the Communauto mobile app.

Please note: You need a smart phone (or a tablet compatible with the Communauto application) to take advantage of 15-trip FLEX Pass, otherwise you will not be able to activate your passes when using a vehicle.

How to use your 15-trip FLEX Pass

With a 15-trip FLEX pass, it’s up to you whether you want to use a pass on any given ride! You can activate it on any trip.

Click on the button (1) to activate the pass before or during a trip; click again to deactivate it. The number to the right (2) lets you know the number of trips remaining on the pass.

Please note: once the trip is over, it is no longer possible to change your selection so do not forget to activate the pass before releasing the vehicle if you want to use it!

Conversely, do not forget to deactivate the pass if the duration of your trip means that you will not save enough to justify using a pass for that trip (if you activate a pass for a vehicle you’ve blocked, but then don’t use the vehicle, the pass will automatically deactivate for that trip).

Pro tip: Activate the pass immediately after blocking the vehicle so you don’t risk forgetting afterwards!

General terms of use

  • Your eligible trips only become billable starting on the 31st minute (- km included/trip, -¢/km additional kms).  
  • The free period applies to the first billable 30 minutes of your trip. You remain eligible for all other credits that may apply when you use a FLEX vehicle: 30 free minutes to get to the vehicle once it has been blocked, credit of up to 15 minutes for snow removal in winter, and 20 free minutes when you fuel up with at least $20 of gas. The relocation credit, however, cannot be combined with the 30-minute FLEX Pass credit. Only one 30-minute credit will be granted per trip.  
  • Unless you have chosen one of the other Damage Protection Plan options (see above), the default amount of one dollar and fitfteen cents ($-) per trip applies, to limit your liability to $- in the event of damage or collision (at-fault or not).
  • The use of a pass may be suspended without the right to credit, refund, or extension of the period of validity, in the event of non-compliance with the terms of the Contract or Rules and Regulations for the use of vehicles (balance overdue, bank withdrawal failure, etc.).

Condition specific to FLEX Unlimited Pass

Consecutive use of vehicles: in order to enjoy the 30 free minutes of use, you must allow a period of 45 minutes after the end of a trip before blocking or using a vehicle again. The same period applies to the successive use of the same vehicle by a co-member or authorized driver working for the same employer.

Conditions specific to FLEX passes comprising a predetermined number of trips including the FLEXauto pass offered by the Réseau de transport de la Capitale in Québec (RTC)

• The pass is valid for a specific number of trips (i.e. 20 for the regular pass that can be obtained from Communauto or 10 in the case of the FLEXauto pass offered by the RTC). Trips not used before a pass expires cannot be carried over to the next month.  

• It’s up to you whether or not you apply the pass on a particular trip. You can activate it on any trip (there are no restrictions).  

• You can activate your pass from the moment you block a vehicle; it is then possible to deactivate or reactivate it as many times as you wish for as long as the trip is still in progress. Once the vehicle has been released, it is no longer possible to modify your selection.  

• The use of a FLEX Pass is reserved to its holder. As part of a family or business membership, each co-member or authorized driver will need to add their own FLEX Pass to their account to also take advantage of the offer.