Here’s What Happens When You Don’t Pay a Parking Ticket…

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.