The last time I got a parking ticket was outside of a Blockbuster – yeah, that’s how long ago that was! Blockbuster isn’t even a thing anymore, I know.
I’ve been much more careful over the years to avoid getting tickets. So, luckily, I haven’t had one in a decade or so.
But, sometimes, we slip up and get a ticket. Even if you are a good driver, mistakes can happen.
Does that mean that you have to pay it?
Not always, there are some situations where you may be able to get out of paying a parking ticket.
In today’s post, I’ll cover:
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- What happens if you don’t pay a parking ticket (with real examples!)
- Common ways you can get a parking ticket (so you can avoid getting tickets in the future!)
- How to fight a parking ticket (include a parking dispute template letter)
Table of Contents
What Happens When You Don’t Pay a Parking Ticket?
It varies depending on the city or state that you live in. Regardless of where you live though, there are consequences to leaving parking tickets unpaid.
Here’s what could happen if you don’t pay a parking ticket.
1. The fine will increase
Firstly, if you miss the deadline for paying a ticket, the fine will increase.
The original fee could double or even triple with late fees and collection fees.
- In New York City, for example, a parking ticket can cost you anywhere from $35 to $115. So, if that starts to double or triple, you could end up owing a fair amount of cash.
- In Harrison, New York, the fine doubles 30 days after the ticket’s return date, an additional $30 penalty will be added 60 days after the return date, and another $30 will be added 90 days after the return date. And, additional penalties may accrue after that.
In some places, you’ll even start accruing interest for every month that you don’t pay the ticket.
Fine increases are the most likely consequence of not paying a ticket in all cities and states across the country.
2. Your vehicle may be booted or towed
Your vehicle could be booted or towed. Since the parking police have your license plate on file, if you have unpaid tickets, they can tow or boot your car.
The rules for this vary from state to state and from city to city.
Here are some examples:
Seattle, Washington
In Seattle, vehicles that have four in more unpaid tickets in collections can be booted whether they are parked legally or illegally on the streets.
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St Louis, Missouri
In St. Louis, your vehicle can be booted if you have at least four outstanding parking tickets. And once your vehicle has been immobilized, it is subject to immediate tow.
Tucson, Arizona
In Tucson, vehicles that have three or more unpaid parking citations on record can be booted, and vehicles that are booted for 48 hours will be towed.
Portland, Maine
In Portland, Maine, your car can be booted if you have three or more outstanding tickets. And, at 5 p.m., the process of towing and impounding immobilized vehicles will start at the owner’s expense.
In addition to having to pay outstanding tickets, you can also be charged a boot fee, which varies from city to city and from state to state. For example, the boot fee in Portland, Maine is $50. The boot fee in Chicago is $100.
New York City, New York
In New York City, if you owe the city more than $350 in parking tickets, then your car can be booted.
3. A collections agency may get involved
Because your city’s parking enforcement bureau won’t want to have to keep having to deal with people who don’t pay tickets, then, eventually, they can end up handing your case over to a debt collection agency.
These debt collectors may call you at home or work and send you letters. Debt collectors may visit you at your house.
For example, in Boise, Idaho, tickets that are unpaid for more than 60 days are sent to collections.
4. You won’t be able to renew your registration
Okay, so another issue you could come across is that there’s a hold put on your vehicle registration.
The agency that issued the ticket may report your fines to the DMV, and they may put a hold on your registration renewal.
So, when it’s time to renew your registration, unpaid parking tickets can prevent this until you pay the fines.
This is another common consequence of not paying a parking ticket.
In certain places, if parking fines haven’t been paid for a certain amount of time, there’s a certain number of outstanding fines, or the fines reach a certain dollar amount, they are reported to the DMV, and they can place a hold on your registration until you pay for the fines.
For example, in Harrison, New York, if you have three or more outstanding parking summonses acquired within an 18 month period, then New York State Motor Vehicles can prevent you from registering your vehicle.
5. You could lose your car
There is a chance that you could lose your vehicle entirely. In some places, the state can seize your vehicle, and impound it. And, the state could actually auction your car to recover what you owe in fines.
6. You could have to go to court
Okay, so some cities actually issue parking tickets with court dates on them. And if you don’t pay the fine within the timeframe given, then you may have to appear in court.
Of course, if you do pay the parking ticket on time, you won’t have to appear in court.
Here are some examples of cities that issue parking tickets with court dates on them:
Memphis, Tennessee
In Memphis, Tennessee, your parking ticket needs to be paid 15 days after it’s issued. If it goes unpaid, then you will need to appear in court on the scheduled court date at the bottom of the ticket, and additional costs may be assessed.
Freeport, New York
If you get a parking ticket in the village of Freeport, NY, then you can either plead guilty by mail or not guilty by mail before the court date listed on your summons. Otherwise, you may have to appear in court at the designated court date.
Now, the site also states that failure to respond to a summons will result in a warrant for your arrest, which brings me to my next point…
7. A bench warrant may be issued for your arrest
You might be wondering, “Can unpaid tickets turn into warrants?”
In some cases, they can.
For example, I mentioned that in Freeport, if you have a designed court date on your ticket, and you don’t appear, then it could result in a warrant for your arrest.
This can happen in other places too. If you sit on an outstanding ticket for too long, then your local court may give you a notice to appear in court so that you can pay what you owe.
If you ignore the notice, then the court may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. This means that law enforcement has the authority to arrest you if you are seen on the road.
So, for example, if you are pulled over for some reason, get into an accident, or have any kind of interaction with the police where they run your plates, then they can arrest you.
8. Your license could be suspended
Unpaid tickets can result in you having your license suspended.
This can happen if you have a few outstanding tickets, or if the amount you owe in fines reaches a certain amount.
9. You could lose money during tax season
If you haven’t paid your ticket, and haven’t received any follow up, it doesn’t mean that you still won’t end up having to pay the fine.
In fact, the city can actually ask for the money you owe to be taken directly from your state tax refund. So you could lose that money during the tax season.
Other Parking Fine Related Questions
Here are answers to a few other questions about a variety of parking ticket scenarios.
What happens if you don’t pay a parking ticket from a private company?
Now, when it comes to tickets issued by law enforcement, the rules are pretty clear. However, when it comes to private companies issuing tickets, things get a little muddier here.
When you are ticketed by a private company, they won’t be able to do things like suspend your license or put a hold on your vehicle registration as law enforcement and state agencies can.
But, they could refer your case to a debt collection agency or have your car booted.
It’s best to get in touch with the parking company that issued the ticket to ask if you can have the fines dropped.
What happens if you don’t pay a parking ticket out of state?
Out of state tickets offer many of the same legal ramifications as those you’d get for a ticket issued in the state in which you reside.
So, you can have your license suspended, and have the case handed over to a debt collection agency.
Will unpaid parking tickets affect my credit?
Getting a parking ticket alone will not affect your credit report.
However, if you don’t pay the tickets, then many agencies choose to hand over your case to a collections agency so that they can get you to pay the tickets instead.
If that happens, the collection agency may make a report to the major credit agencies, and it will lower your credit score.
Having a debt collection on your report is not great for your credit score and could impact your ability to get a mortgage and other forms of finance in the future.
Do parking tickets make your insurance go up?
Getting a parking ticket will not make your insurance go up if you pay it on time.
The consequences of failing to pay a parking ticket though, like having your license suspended or having a bench warrant for your arrest, can increase car insurance rates.
Is it Worth Contesting a Parking Ticket?
It really depends on your particular situation. If you feel that you were ticketed unfairly and that there was a mistake, which you can prove with evidence, then it is worth contesting the ticket.
Tom Stagliano wrote that he managed to successfully fight three parking tickets, stating on Quora that:
“Over the last ten years, I have received three parking ticket citations through the US mail, because I did not pay nor contest the ticket within the stated time limit.
One was out of state, and the other two were in my state.
Of course, all three were wrong, as they had ticketed a car that was Not mine.
In all three cases I was able to prove that it was not mine via e-mail, web and/or phone calls. I sent a copy of my actual license plate and registration including a description of my vehicle.
It was Obvious in all three cases that the car ticketed was Not mine, and in each case, the case was dropped and the municipality went after the correct owner of the car that was illegally parked.
If that is your case, then you can Easily fight the ticket via e-mail, web or phone, as almost everything is computerized now and there are records as to which car was ticketed and you merely need to prove that your car is not that car.”
Also, if it’s a private company that has ticketed you, it’s worth contesting the ticket.
However, if you parked illegally, then there’s no evidence you can use to support your case, and you should just pay the ticket.
As Sagliano also says:
“What are you going to offer for evidence that your car was parked legally and not illegally????
If you can’t sit down with a good knowledgeable friend and convince that person that you have a good case (with all evidence), then forget contesting the ticket and pay it.”
Disputing a Parking Violation
If you do decide to fight a parking ticket, then you’ll need to see what the method is in your city or state.
You should be able to dispute your parking ticket in person at a court appeal, but many cities and states allow you to do it by mail or online.
You can usually find out more about contesting a ticket in your city, by visiting your city’s official government site.
Here are some examples of government websites from a few different cities that have information on disputing parking tickets:
Just search for the term “dispute parking ticket [name of your city or state]” or “contest parking ticket [name of your city or state]” into the search engine you use, and you will get plenty of results.
How to Fight a Parking Ticket (Step-by-Step Guide)
Now, in terms of actually how to fight a parking ticket. I wanted to cover that in a lot of detail in this section.
I wanted to give you a step-by-step guide to fighting parking tickets and give you tips and advice on what to say in your parking ticket appeal. I’ve even given you a sample letter that you can use.
Make sure you follow these tips when fighting a parking ticket:
Step One: Read the ticket carefully
It’s so important that you read your ticket carefully. This is because your ticket will outline important information like what the deadline is for paying it, and how to contest the citation.
This is valuable information, so make sure that you take the time to read the ticket as soon as you get it.
Step Two: Contest the ticket as soon as possible
My biggest tip when it comes to disputing a parking citation is to make sure that you act quickly. The sooner you contest the ticket, the better.
This is because you only get a certain timeframe in which you can actually file a dispute.
This timeframe varies from place to place. Here are some examples:
Chicago, Illinois
In Chicago, you have 7 days from the date of issuance of the parking violation to contest the ticket by mail or in-person. If you don’t contest the ticket or pay the ticket, then a second Notice of Violation is mailed allowing 21 days to request a hearing.
Seattle, Washington
In Seattle, you have to request a hearing to dispute your ticket. And the hearing request must be made within 15 days of the date that the ticket is issued.
Boise, Idaho
In Boise, if you’ve had a ticket that was issued in the past 10 days, then the city must receive a written appeal, and any accompanying documentation within 10 days of the date of ticket issuance.
If your appeal was issued within the past 11 to 30 days, then the appeal deadline can be extended. You’ll need to complete the Appeal Deadline Waiver. Tickets older than 30 days can’t be appealed.
So, try to contest your ticket right away, so that you don’t miss the deadline.
Step Three: Look for mistakes or alterations on the ticket
Okay, another thing to look out for which could actually get you out of having to pay the parking ticket is if the ticket has any mistakes or alterations on it.
You’ll want to look out for mistakes, but only major ones.
For example, if you drive a grey Toyota Camry and the ticket says blue Chevrolet Camaro, then it’s clearly not your car. But, if it’s something similar, like a silver Toyota Camry, then that’s not enough of a difference to get you out of a ticket.
Just make sure that all of the information that the officer wrote on the ticket before it was left on the car is correct and accurate.
Aside from mistakes, you should also look out for any changes or alterations that may appear on the ticket.
This is because some cities have ordinances that prohibit offers from making changes to a parking ticket. In fact, any information that’s been scribbled or scratched out could be considered an unlawful alteration.
Step Four: Gather Evidence
Now, none of us wants to have to pay a parking ticket, but the law doesn’t care about that.
What it does care about is evidence. To fight a parking ticket successfully, you will need to have evidence to support your case.
One of the best ways to get it is to take photos of the area where you parked. Do this BEFORE you move your car, if possible.
Any photos you can get that support your reason for appealing the ticket will really help you with your case.
Here are some examples of what you may want to capture:
Obscured signs or lack of parking signs
Generally speaking, one of the best defenses is if you can prove that any parking signs or notices of prohibited or restricted parking were obscured or removed.
For example, if a sign wasn’t visible from your car’s position, take a photo that demonstrates this.
Or, perhaps the paint on the sign was incredibly faded, and it’s not legible. If so, take a photo of that.
A broken meter
Another reason that you may have gotten a ticket is that the meter was broken, so you couldn’t use it. So, take a video of yourself trying to use the meter. Make sure that the meter’s read-out is visible in the video and that it shows that the meter isn’t registering the money that you put in.
You need to make sure that you take a video of the meter as soon as possible, preferably before you even move your vehicle, because otherwise the broken meter may be fixed before you get a chance to film it. This would leave you without evidence you can use to dispute your parking ticket.
You can easily film the broken meter using your phone.
How the parking space was marked
If the curb should have been painted yellow in the no-parking zone, but the yellow paint ends before the space where you parked your vehicle, make sure that you take a photo to demonstrate this. You’ll want to take a photo of the curb, and your bumper, as well as some photos of the area in general.
Again, you want to take these photos BEFORE you move your car.
Step Five: Contest your ticket
Now that you have all of your evidence, you can contest your ticket.
It used to be that you had to write a letter or request a hearing to fight a ticket, but now many places allow you to dispute your ticket online.
Basically, you can dispute a ticket online, by mail, or in-person at a hearing, in most cities.
Generally, you’ll find instructions on how to appeal the ticket, including the address to send your letter to, on the ticket.
You’ll need to include any evidence that supports your claim, like photos of the scene of the incident or signed witness statements.
When you send the letter, it can be a good idea to purchase tracking information. You also need to make sure you keep the return receipt.
If you don’t receive a response within a few days, then make sure you call the office to ask whether they received your letter. You can also ask when you should expect to receive a response.
Tips for Disputing a Ticket at a Hearing
You may need to attend a hearing in some cases. In some cities, they have online or phone hearings, rather than a physical court appearance.
Some people prefer contesting their ticket at an in-person hearing, so you could request one if you prefer that to contesting your ticket online or through the mail.
As I mentioned earlier, each state has its own rules and processes for ticket disputes. So it’s best to visit your city’s official website. I mentioned at the start of the “How to Fight a Parking Ticket” section how you can find information on disputing a parking ticket in your city. So, refer to that for more information.
If you do have a hearing in-person, then here are a few tips to follow:
Arrive on time
Be sure to arrive at your court hearing on time. In fact, it’s a good idea to get there are a few minutes early. You want to give a good impression.
Look presentable
Dress smartly and look well-groomed for the hearing.
Look at local ordinances
Make sure you look at the ordinance that you are cited with violating. It’s a good idea to check what the statute requires, because it may allow for subjective reasoning.
For example, let’s say the ordinance that you were cited for violating includes language like “safety permitting,” then you may have room to argue that the condition required in the ordinance wasn’t present in your situation. Look for any loopholes or areas where you may have room to argue.
Bring copies of any evidence you have
Make sure you bring any evidence that supports your case with you. It’s a good idea to bring two copies of everything that you mailed in for your appeal. So, you should bring in things like any photos or videos you took at the scene, and copies of documents like the original citation. Then the judge or hearing officer can review your evidence.
Explain your case clearly
You’ll need to explain why you believe that you should not have to pay the parking ticket. Make sure that you explain your case clearly, and succinctly. You want to include the facts but keep it brief.
Be respectful
It’s really important to be respectful at the hearing. It may seem frustrating, but it’s best to remain calm and polite. Try to avoid getting defensive or emotional. If the judge or hearing officer has any follow up questions on your case, then make sure that you answer them politely.
It’s a good idea to remain quiet after you have given your initial statement on why you think you should not have to pay the ticket unless you are asked any questions directly.
In some cases, the officer who wrote the ticket will be present at the hearing. If they are present, make sure you don’t argue with them, or interrupt them while they are talking.
Generally, if the officer speaks at the hearing, you may have the opportunity to ask him questions, but keep everything polite.
It’s a good idea to stick to the facts, rather than letting your emotions get in the way. Be respectful and conduct yourself well at the hearing.
Be honest
Lying in court is never a good idea. Stick to the facts, and argue your case using the evidence that supports it.
Call on any witness you may have
If you have any witnesses in the case that can support your story, then you may call on them to speak. Keep in mind though that the city may have witnesses as well, like the officer who issued your parking ticket.
What is a Good Reason to Appeal a Parking Ticket?
Okay, so I mentioned above that it’s only worth fighting a parking ticket when you have a reason to do so that you can actually support with evidence.
Just not wanting to pay a ticket isn’t going to get you out of it, sadly.
If you have an excuse to dispute a ticket though, you may be able to contest it.
Here are some reasons you can dispute a parking ticket:
- You were given a ticket for not having a parking permit, but your permit was displayed (that’s why it’s a good idea to photograph your permit on display before you leave your car).
- The ticket is illegible.
- The ticket features the incorrect date of issuance, time, or county.
- The vehicle information on the ticket is incorrect. So, it may feature the wrong license plate number, vehicle color, model year, plate type, or vehicle manufacturer, for example.
- The signage was incorrect or not clear. The sign could have given incorrect information or signs may have been obscured. Also, the paint on the sign may have been faded, making the instructions on it unreadable.
- You were not the owner of the vehicle at the time (you will, however, need to prove this).
- Your car was stolen (you will, again, need to prove this).
- The parking meter was malfunctioning or inoperable at the time.
How Do I Write an Appeal for a Parking Ticket?
Okay, so in this section, I just wanted to give you some tips for writing your letter or describing your story online:
- Be professional. You want to be taken seriously.
- Leave your emotions out of it and instead present the facts.
- Be sure to include the date, time, and place of where you received the ticket, as well as the statute cited on the ticket.
- Include the citation number.
- Keep the letter clear and concise.
- Keep your facts in chronological order.
- Include specific details about the case, but still keep it concise. These details should help to explain why you believe you shouldn’t have gotten the ticket.
- Explain what happened carefully and politely.
- When you start writing the body of your letter, recount the facts of the incident.
- Make it as easy as possible for the judge or officer to understand the situation and your argument for fighting the ticket.
- Include evidence like photos, witness statements, and meter receipts that will support your case.
Here’s what you should NOT say:
- “I didn’t know that was the law or a rule.” While that may be true, ignorance is, unfortunately, not a defense.
- “I was on my way to move my car.” Again, that won’t work as a defense. If you are late to move your vehicle then you are late to move your vehicle.
- “I’ve been doing [insert whatever action caused the ticket] for years, and I don’t normally get a ticket.” By saying things like that not only will you fail to get out of this current ticket, but you’re basically admitting to prior parking violations. So, it’s just not a good idea.
- “I can’t afford this ticket.” I know what it’s like to be short on cash when you really need it, and if you’re tight on money, getting a parking ticket can be a real pain. Sadly, this isn’t a viable reason for not paying it. You could ask for an extension in some cities, but other than that, saying that you can’t afford to pay a parking ticket will not get you out of paying it.
What do you say when you contest a parking ticket?
I’ve given you some tips on how to write your appeal, but sometimes, having a real example helps.
That’s why in this section I’ve included a dispute parking ticket sample letter. This may help you if you’re unsure of what to write. Keep in mind that this is just a template and you can easily tailor it to meet your particular situation.
Just keep my tips from above in mind when editing this template.
Here’s what you should write when you contest your parking ticket:
“Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Re: Appealing Parking Ticket NUMBER
To whom it may concern,
I received a parking ticket on [insert time and date] at [insert place].
I am contesting citation [insert citation number], which states my car was parked at or near [insert location]
I am writing to formally challenge this ticket for the following reasons.
According to [insert law you allegedly violated], [copy and paste the law details here].
In my situation, however, [insert technicality, extenuating circumstance, or reason you believe you should not have received the ticket].
To provide evidence in my favor I have attached [insert evidence like photographs, meter receipts, and witness statements] to this statement.
For the aforementioned reasons, I am requesting that my ticket be dismissed.
Regards,
[Insert your name]”
Common Ways You Get a Parking Fine
Sure, you can fight parking tickets that you currently have if you have a good reason to do so.
However, one of the easiest ways to avoid having to pay for a parking violation is to avoid getting a ticket altogether.
But, how, you ask?
It’s simple really – just avoid doing things you can get ticketed for.
While this won’t help with any tickets you have right now, it can in the future.
Here are some common ways you can get a parking ticket:
1. Not paying the meter
You think, “Hey, I’m just running in for some milk. I’ll only be a second,” and the next thing you know, you’ve got a ticket. Always pay the meter no matter how long you expect to be – it’s not worth the cost of a ticket.
2. The meter runs out
You only expected to be an hour when you went for that coffee, right? But, one hour turned into two and the meter has run out. An easy tip is to make sure the meter doesn’t run out is to set a timer on your phone. Set it five to ten minutes before the meter will run out. For example, if you paid for an hour’s parking, then set a timer for 50 minutes and then you can go out and pay the meter if you need some more time. It’s a simple way to avoid a fine.
3. You forgot to move your car for street cleaning
It’s easy to forget, right? When it’s time for the streets to be cleaned, you can’t park in certain areas. Make sure you set a reminder on your phone or computer so that you get a notification every time there’s street cleaning in your residential area.
4. Parking your vehicle in the wrong direction
You can get a parking violation for parking your vehicle facing against the direction of traffic. So, if you are parallel parking, it’s illegal to park facing oncoming traffic. This is because parking this way requires you to drive on the wrong side of the road, which is illegal unless you are overtaking another vehicle or passing an obstruction.
Also, it’s considered to be confusing to moving drivers, especially at night. That’s why you should make sure that you park your vehicle facing in the right direction.
5. Parking in front of a fire hydrant
Don’t do it or you could get a fine. If you’re in a rush, it can be easy to miss one. Take the time to check you haven’t parked your vehicle in front of a fire hydrant.
6. Double parking
Double parking is when you illegally park next to another vehicle that’s properly parked in a parking stall or on the street. Double parking is illegal because it prevents drivers from being able to leave their parking space, and it can stall the flow of traffic. If all the parking spaces are full, it’s best to try to find one further away or you could risk getting a fine.
7. Parking in a handicapped zone without a permit
If you aren’t permitted to park in the handicapped zone, don’t do it. I know that sometimes handicapped spots aren’t that clearly marked. So, you might not realize that the spot you’re parking in is designated for those who’re handicapped. Make sure to look around at signs beforehand to make sure that you’re not parking without a permit.
8. Parking without a special permit
This could be, for example, parking for employees of a specific company. For example, the vet’s I take my cats to offers a parking pass so that you can park on the street outside. We have to put this permit on our dashboard when we go into the vet’s otherwise, we’d be getting a parking ticket.
9. Parking for longer than the maximum time
Some places only allow you to park for a certain amount of time. Make sure that you don’t stay in a space longer than is permitted. Often the time limit is 24 hours, but it can be way less than that in many cases. Just take a look at nearby signs to ensure that you don’t park in a particular spot for too long.
10. Parking near or in a red zone
Red zones are often marked with red curbs and signs. You are not allowed to park, stop, or stand in a red zone.
11. Parking in a prohibited space
I’ve mentioned a few prohibited places already, like fire hydrants, but other prohibited places where you’re not allowed to park include a bus stop, a driveway, or garage entrance.
12. Parking on a sidewalk
Parking on the sidewalk is prohibited unless it’s specifically allowed by a sign.
13. Improperly displaying a parking permit.
If you park with a parking permit or payment receipt that’s not visible, or displayed in the instructed way, like it’s upside down, then you could get a ticket. Make sure that you display any proof of valid parking, like a permit or receipt, properly.
14. Parking on certain streets in a natural disaster
When there’s a natural disaster, the streets need to be cleared so that emergency vehicles can easily move through them. That’s why you can get a ticket for parking on certain streets if there’s a natural disaster.
15. Parking at curb locations that are designated for special purposes
Some curb locations are designated for specific purposes. This is indicated through signage or curb or pavement painting. Some curb locations that are designated for special purposes include passenger zones for loading and discharge, police vehicle zones, commercial vehicle zones for freight or service trucks and vans, or government vehicle zones. You could get a ticket for parking in one of these designated locations.
16. Parking during construction or maintenance operations
If you park your vehicle at locations during posted construction or maintenance operations, then you could get a ticket.
17. Parking outside marked areas
Angle parking in areas where only parallel parking is permitted can often result in a ticket. It’s prohibited to park outside of marked squares.
18. Parking without a zone permit in areas where parking is severely impacted
In some areas, like residential areas, for example, parking availability is scarce.
This is why you can get a ticket for parking without a zone permit in places where parking is severely impacted. In residential areas, for example, a residential zone permit may be issued to help to keep parking available to those who live in the permit zone.
Park Safely!
Always make sure that you’re careful to avoid getting a ticket, whenever you have to park your car. If you’ve already been ticketed though, you still have some options. You can try to contest the ticket. However, I would only recommend that you do that if you have a valid reason for doing so.
Like I said earlier, simply not wanting to pay the ticket isn’t enough. Neither is saying that you weren’t aware of a certain rule or law.
If you have a legitimate reason that you can support with evidence, like the meter was broken or there’s the wrong vehicle listed on the ticket, then it may be worth fighting the ticket.
Whatever you do, don’t simply ignore a parking ticket. Either contest it right away or pay it before the deadline, otherwise you’ll run into issues like having your car booted and having to pay larger fines.
Have you ever disputed a parking ticket and won? If so, let us know about it in the comments section below.
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