Pay by coin or credit/debit card. If that doesn't work, call the phone number written on the meter and take a note of the meter number.
Check the street signs to ensure you don't overstay your welcome, as many spaces are restricted by time.
And don't even think about not paying and displaying - the streets are swarming with red-jacketed traffic wardens keen to bag their next prey.
Car parks are many, vary in price (from the OK to the eye-watering) and marked with prominant blue and white NCP or P signs.