5 NYC Parking Ticket Tips You Don’t Want to Miss

Last Updated on July 23, 2017 by Lawrence Berezin

We offer our website visitors NYC parking ticket tips

We work relentlessly to deliver information and NYC parking ticket tips that help the NYC driving public beat parking tickets. Here are answers to some questions that many of you have raised.

1. I am livid that my car was towed when there were no signs indicating that I parked in a tow-away zone.

I feel your pain. I am sure all the members of the NYC driving public feel your pain. In 1959, all of NYC was declared a tow-away zone in the Vehicle and Traffic Law.This rule is one of the invisible enemies of the driving public. There does not have to be a sign warning you about a tow away zone. Is it fair?  Of course not. Let’s repeat the mantra that all NYC is a tow-away zone, no notice required and hope that the driving public hears us.

2. I was walking back from a muni-meter with my parking receipt in my hand, and upon my return, I was greeted by an NYC parking ticket stuck under my windshield.

Fight when you are right. Under these circumstances, you can beat the parking ticket. The rule allows the driving public time to walk to the muni-meter to pay for their parking space and return to their car.  You fight the parking ticket by submitting your parking ticket and your muni-meter receipt. The time displayed on both documents will lead you to victory.

However, you are not permitted to go into a store to obtain quarters to feed a hungry meter unless you can pay for your time within 5-minutes of the issuance of a parking ticket.

3. Do I have to feed a parking meter or a muni-meter on Sunday?

No. Legislation went into effect on Sunday, November 13, 2005

4. What steps do I take when I park at a broken meter and receive a parking ticket?

You are permitted to park at a broken parking meter for the maximum time displayed on the parking sign. This is a change in the rule, which before permitted parking at a broken meter for one hour only. If your meter is broken:

• Call 311
• The DOT field inspectors will make the necessary repairs to the broken parking meter
• The information will be entered into the DOT computerized system
• Fight your NYC parking ticket by after the instructions on the back of your parking ticket. According to the DOT, your dispute is filed with the Department of Finance, Parking Violation Bureau
• There is also conventional wisdom that suggests you can file an administrative claim with a different department, which will give you two bites at the parking meter. Check the back of your parking ticket for instructions.
• The takeaway here is to make sure you call 311 and report the broken meter to the DOT so there is a record of the broken parking meter

5. Can I park here on a Tuesday night when the parking rule displayed on the parking sign says, “NO STANDING EXCEPT TRUCKS 7 AM – 6 PM MONDAY – FRIDAY?”

It is easier to learn hieroglyphics than NYC parking sign speak. My interpretation of this rule is:

• NO STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING EVER!
• UNLESS YOU ARE A TRUCK
• A TRUCK MAY PARK MONDAY – FRIDAY BETWEEN 7 AM – 6 PM

The only type of vehicle that can park in spaces regulated by this sign is a truck; but truck parking is limited to  Days/Hrs, Monday through Friday between 7  A  – 6  P. This is a tough call to make when you only have about 5 seconds to decide before being stung by a parking ticket warrior’s scanner.

Safe driving and safe, fine-free parking.

[Larry’s note: Some of the information contained in this post comes from the DOT website].

Special thanks to Michele for asking some great questions. Sorry they cost you a fine, but your parking experience will help other members of the driving public avoid these traps]