Key:authentication:*

Prefix authentication:*
Description
Some charging stations require authentication.
Group: properties
Used on these elements
Useful combination
amenity=charging_station amenity=bicycle_rental
Status: in use
taginfo: authentication:*

This page describes a key prefix rather than a simple key.

Some facilities require authentication ("unlocking"), even if the use is for free. Different operators use different authentication mechanisms for their facilities. Some facilities even support several authentication mechanisms, and the user can choose which to use.

Authentication vs payment

This key is only concerned with the authentication method, not the payment method. If you can pay directly without having to register or be part of a network, then use authentication:none=yes.

To denote whether a facility is free or not, use fee=yes/no. For payment methods, use the payment:*=* key. To denote whether a facility is public, or only accessible to a certain group, use access=*.

Common authentication methods

Subkey	Usage	Type	Description
authentication:none=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	May be used without authentication, regardless of if a fee applies.
authentication:key=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	May be used with a physical key. See also: lockable.
Membership & Contactless Cards
authentication:app=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	Authentication via a smartphone application.
authentication:membership_card=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	A physical card must be used to access the element.
authentication:contactless=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	Generic authentication value for contactless methods, regardless of underlying technology.
authentication:nfc=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	Authentication using the Near-Field Communication (NFC) standard.
authentication:chip_card=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	Authentication via a card with an embedded microchip that communicates with a terminal on insertion.
Bank Cards
authentication:money_card=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	A user can authenticate themselves or their account by way of an issued money card.
authentication:debit_card=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	A user can authenticate themselves or their account by way of an issued debit card.
Calling & Texting
authentication:phone_call=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	A user calls a specified number from authentication:phone_call:number to authenticate.
authentication:phone_call:number=*	* →	Phone Number	The number which a user calls to authenticate via authentication:phone_call. See also: phone and contact:phone.
authentication:short_message=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	A user texts a specified number to authentication:short_message:number to authenticate.
authentication:short_message:number=*	* →	Phone Number	The number which a user texts to authenticate via authentication:short_message. See also: phone and contact:phone.
authentication:short_message:text=*	* →	String	The message which a user sends to authenticate via authentication:short_message.
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
authentication:autocharge=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	A driver can authenticate themselves at a charge point by simply plugging in their vehicle using the AutoCharge standard.
authentication:plug_and_charge=yes|no	yes → no →	Boolean	A driver can authenticate themselves at a charge point by simply plugging in their vehicle using the Plug & Charge standard.

Use of authentication on parking lots

authentication:*=* is also used in combination with parking lots and street parking. It describes what needs to be done to park legally. The two common subkeys are

• authentication:disc=* - a parking disc needs to be displayed to show the time of arrival
• authentication:ticket=* - a ticket needs to be bought and displayed in the car.

See Street_parking for details.