Hey Larry,

Longtime fan of your site and blog. Love the redesign…looks great. I came to this post, like so many, after a tale of woe. Let me explain. The DOT recently did some work on one of the streets adjacent to my co-op in Queens. After tearing up a portion of the street, a temporary restriction sign went up indicating there was no parking on the torn-up portion on Monday May 12. Well, they must have been running behind schedule, because Monday May 12 came and went and the street was still a mess.

Fast forward to Saturday May 17. I park my car in a legal space with no temporary restriction signs posted. Not only that, I’m pretty sure I was behind the actual section that needed to be repaved. (Admittedly going from memory here, and it’s possible my front wheels were over. Regardless, no signs, as I said.)

You can probably see where this is going. On Monday May 19 the crew showed up and kindly relocated my vehicle to make room for the street work. Rather unkindly, they relocated it rear end first to a metered lot under Queens Blvd.

After getting home from work on Thursday, I dutifully went out to move my vehicle for alternate side cleaning. Except it wasn’t there. I called the precinct and they had no record of it being relocated. They suggested I look around at adjacent blocks. After a quick stroll, I found my car with three separate tickets on the window, totaling $155. The first was issued at noon on Tuesday, for parking rear facing in a head only space ($60). They came back and nailed me again around 5:30 for an expired meter ($35). Then they came back to the well a third time on Wednesday morning, hitting me for another rear-facing violation and another $60.

I guess on Thursday they decided I had suffered enough? Bottom line is I feel used and abused after parking my car in a legal space and then coming back to a moved car with over $150 in tickets.

Interestingly, I also found a muni-meter receipt mixed in with the tickets. Maybe the construction guys meant to move it back when they were finished and forgot? I’ll never know, but since I don’t have any evidence aside from a picture of my car in the metered lot, I’m not sure whether I can fight. Any thoughts?

Larry, I parked my car last weekend in a Tuesday street cleaning spot about two blocks away from my building on a different street. I forgot to move it Tuesday morning, then forgot that I’d forgotten. I happened to be walking down my own street last (Friday) night in a direction I typically don’t when I notice my car parked there, decidedly not where I had left it, around the corner from where I had parked it. Unfortunately it was in a meter spot, so I had four days worth of parking tickets. The doors were locked and there were no indications the car had been entered or driven, nor was there a note or anything explaining what had happened. Is it possible that the city towed it around the corner on street cleaning day? Should I consider that a favor, if so, since towing fees might have cost me more than the tickets, or do I have a right to feel aggrieved and maybe even contest the tickets? Why would the city or one of its towing vendors forego the full towing fees by moving my car just a little but put in the time and energy to tow it rather than just ticket and move on? I’ve never been more than ticketed for being in a street cleaning spot before, so the whole thing came as a surprise and seems kind of bizarre. Many thanks for any light you can shed or advice you can give.

I have more of a question my wife accumulated over $900 in parking tickets and fines while in NY. I live in another state and the vehicle was not registered in NY. We have since disposed of the vehicle. My wife is presently driving different vehicle registered to me. Can that vehicle be towed because of tickets from previous vehicle. The car being driven now has different registration.

Hey Larry,

My car just got booted for the wrong reasons right now, in Bronx New York. I did not park illegally, and I did not owe an outstanding amount on parking tickets, just two $45 parking tickets and it hasn’t even been a month yet that I’ve had those tickets. I had to confirm this so I ran my license plate number and I was right, I only owed those two tickets with a total of $90. To my understanding I know a vehicle cannot be booted unless the owner owes $350 or more in tickets to the city. I’ve taken pictures of the parking sign that states I couldn’t park on Mondays or Thursdays, it’s Wednesday. I’ve also taken pictures of the car and where it was located when booted and even recorded a video just so there’s no claim that we moved the vehicle, so proof is gathered.

What can I do to fight this? I’m about to call the police and have it removed with all of the evidence I have at hand, this is ridiculous. Thanks in advance Larry. I hope to hear from you soon.

Hi Larry,

Are Temporary construction sign in affect when there is no construction happening on that particular day? Reason I ask is that I got a ticket with this scenario. I was at the beginning of the block with several cars parked behind me, but it seems I was the only one that got a ticket. The other cars did not have any sort of special tag or decals etc… Just want to make sure I’m not getting shorthanded by New York finest and their monthly quota. The ticket violation code is 408-d. Thank you in advance.

Hi Larry,

My car was towed and I paid for it hours ago at the 38th st/12 Ave pound. My vehicle was taken even as I was legally parked in a Tues/Friday zone near Riverside Park. Apparently, all cars were removed this Thursday morning in observation of 9/11. Besides paying the $185 for tow, I also got $65 for no parking on 88 Street, where I was not parked on Tuesday night. Instead, I was parked north of the Firemen Memorial on Riverside Drive/ 100 Street.
While I will be disputing the parking ticket for sure regarding the location and the wrong car color. I cannot find anywhere on NYC finance to dispute the tow fee of $185.
Any thoughts Larry?

Thanks!
Paul

Do a police officer have to gave a person a ticket before towing their car?

Hi, I got my car towed on Saturday morning. I also got 2 parking tickets. The parking tickets have different violations explained even though I was parked in the same spot. The parking tickets were issued by two different people. Also, on one of the violations it says that my car is a sedan even though it is a SUV (not sure if that matters). Do I have legitimate case for getting the parking tickets and possibly the towing fine voided?

Dear Larry,
I received a Parking Ticket in Brooklyn on “New Years Day”. violation: i parked at a “No Standing Temporary Construction Zone”. my question to you is as follows: is this restriction valid on a legal holiday such as New Years Day?

Thanks

Michael

Hello

I parked my car on the street in NYC on a Thursday night. After a few hours of being out I returned to the spot where my car should have been but instead there was no car. It had been towed, What i did find there was a broken sign on the ground that says no parking (i did take a picture of it). I then had to go retrieve my car from the impound lot and had pay $200.00. What I did found out is that if i take pictures of the sign and the street it was on i may be able to fight the ticket of $115.00. What i want to know is how can i get my money back for the towing of my car ? Any advise would be very helpful.

Thank you.

I was towed just yesterday. The officer described that I was located on one side of the street where the No standing 10pm-6am rule was. But I was clearly parked on the opposite side of the street. Because of my birthday. I luckily have photos both with my phone camera and Hand Camera. Both Time Stamped that show me with my car On the opposite side of the street and the show we were going to see, across the street. I plan on going in person. Showing these pictures. Pictures of the street address through maps. Copies of the reservations to the show. And then pictures of the street signs. There are no defects in the ticket. My question to you is 1. Is this compelling evidence to fight? Especially the time stamped photos. 2. Should I do this in person to tell a better story? 3. If I have relatives in the NYPD and have stickers and cards in the dash, will that help my case?

Last night I parked on a street that, unbeknownst to me, had temporary construction parking restrictions. My car should have been moved by 7am. When I arrived at 10AM it was already gone.

I went to the tow yard expecting to pay $185 tow fee and receive a parking ticket. Instead I was told that my car had been booted before it was towed so I owed $370.

I had NO outstanding tickets. It seems that at 7:30AM they booted my car and put a note on my windshield saying that I had two hours to call to unlock or my car would be towed. I did NOT receive a ticket for parking in the construction zone .

According to the NYC FAQs on booting you can be booted only if you owe more than $350 in tickets and even then you have two DAYS to remove the boot not hours.

How should I proceed? I recognize that I made a parking mistake and should have received a ticket but not a $175 boot.

My car was just towed, I was parked legally and owe no outstanding tickets. I wasn’t blocking a driveway and there way no event going on. I called the nypd and they confirmed I had no tickets but had to GUESS that it was towed because there was a “no parking sign” up randomly today in that spot. I just went out and looked and there is nothing, no sign, no post, no anything, nothing new on the street. Someone is even parked there right now! How can I dispute this?

Hi,Larry.Could u tell me if there is a price range that towing company has to follow?And also If I park my car in front of the building which my office is located on Sunday in NYC,can they tow my car?The building address is 3370 Prince st,Flushing,NY,11354.

Hey Larry,

I was recently Booted, I was parked in a “No Parking 7am-6pm” Zone.

I understand I was in the wrong, but with no outstanding tickets or any in judgement how was it that my car was booted. Even though the ticket was only $60.

Is the NYPD allowed to Boot me for any violation they come upon.

It was Booted in DUMBO by the NYPD.
I can not find any documentation from anything official with the rules and regulations for such matters.

Please what ever knowledge you have to help me kick this, thank you.
-Tyler

Hi Larry,
I found your blog when I was searching the web trying to find out why I was booted and threatened with towing on 6/17/2015.
I took my 15-month-old grandson to the water park. I did not see the “no standing from 4 to 7pm sign where I parked on Ocean Avenue. So, when I returned to the car at 4:20 pm, I saw the ticket and thought, “Oh well, my fault.”
After I put the baby in the car and the stroller in the trunk I went around to the driver’s side and saw a yellow boot! I was dumbfounded. There was a note on the car telling me to bring $185 dollars to the pound within 2 hours or I would be towed for an additional $185. I was ready to cry!! Fortunately one of my sons was home and came to rescue us about 30 minutes later. I don’t know what I would have done if he wasn’t home. Anyway, we made it to the pound in time and paid the $185. However, the staff at the pound were very nasty and would not tell me when the boot would be removed (although they could tell me that I would be towed at 6:15) I went home and went to get the car at 8pm and the boot was removed.
I do not understand why I was booted. If my car presented a danger, why didn’t they just tow it! I have NO outstanding tickets. There was no code on the boot to remove it. Everything I can find in the NYC law says you are booted if you owe more than $350 in tickets and you have 48 hours to get the boot removed. This seems like a total NYC scam.

Hello Larry,

I have been reading you articles, very informatives and helpful.
What happened to me was:

At 5:10pm, I parked in a 8-6 Not Parking Space
At 5:13pm I got a ticket
At 5:18pm I got a boot, I do not owe $ in tickets
At 8pm, in front of me, they towed my car.

I am ok with the ticket and I see that the Tow Away Zone applies to all NYC so I will take that also, but should I fight the boot? Is there anything I can print in order to bring it to court?

Thank you very much in advance

Hi Larry,

I’ve found your website and posts extremely helpful. Thanks for all the info and hopefully for a response.

This weekend was the Independence Day Holiday weekend. The city posted that July 3rd (Friday) – 4th (Saturday) alternate side and parking meters were suspended as this one of their “major holidays”. I parked my vehicle on July 2nd (Thursday) at 6:05p on 52nd b/w 9th and 10th where the sign stated “No Parking Mon-Fri 8:00a – 6:00p”. I come back Monday to go to work after the weekend and my car was towed. They towed it July 3rd (Friday) at 11:00a. I have no outstanding tickets. When I called the tow pound they stated that the holiday only refers to alternate side parking and parking meters and I was parked illegally. I was under the impression that during the “major holidays” that I can park anywhere as long as the sign doesn’t state that there is no parking 7 days a week (i.e. no parking anytime).

I have not picked up my car just yet. I was reaching out to see what my options are. If I was at fault, I’ll just pick it up and bite the bullet. If not, maybe you can help me get somewhat situated.

I look forward to your response.

Thanks in advanced,
Michael

Hi Larry,
My car was towed today from Flushing. It was a construction site but had no signs saying no parking visible on the boards. It had a sign saying no parking on Thurs from 9:30-10AM. When I went back and I saw my car wasn’t there I saw that all the way on top there was a sign saying no standing anytime. There was a car behind me and all they had was a ticket. Do I have a chance to fight the tow?

Hi Larry,

My car was ticketed & towed today 6 minutes after the “No Parking Monday – Friday 8AM – 6PM” restriction went into effect. The only thing is, Alternate Side Parking restrictions are not in effect today (Yom Kippur). Per the 311 website that I’ve provided a link to, it is legal to park in No Parking zones today so long as the “No Parking rule is not normally in effect seven days a week.” What gives?! Anyways, I plan to fight the ticket, but how do I fight the tow charge since I’ve already redeemed the car? Any advice would be greatly appreciated..thank you!

Regards,

Brad

Hi Larry, i got a ticket for partly blocking a driveway of an empty parking lot at night and my car was impounded expeditiously after getting the ticket which is baffling. I think the nypd and tow truck companies are in bed together most of the time. In any case, i paid round about 140 to get my car back from the impound. Now, i am looking at the ticket and the address on the ticket does not exist on ACRIS ( a new york city database for properties and parcels) and the USPS address finder. Since the ticket is defective and i’ll most likely prevail, can i ask the tow company to issue a refund since the ticket was defective? I heard somewhere a tow company can’t impound a car unless there is a ticket issued to it which in this case is defective with an unknown address. The tow company also typed the incorrect address from the ticket on the receipt.

Hi Larry,
On the 15th, around 9pm, I went to move my car and found it was not where I left it. I went online to see if it was towed, no records (I also checked to see if I had any tickets, again no records). I called my local precinct to discover there were no records, no car, and told me to call 911 and report it stolen. I called 911 who then told me to call 311 as it may have been towed. 311 informed me there was no record and to call my local precinct.
The morning of the 16th I decide to report it stolen where I waited a little over 2 hours for the officers to arrive. All the while looking at the outline of my car. The car did have a flat which is why I ordered a pump from amazon that took 5 days to arrive. Yes my car was parked in one spot for over 5 days on a street with no alternate side parking. Two houses down from a 1950’s coup on blocks that has been sitting (in the street) for three years.
The officer arrive, I explain to him how the car was here and now it is not. He does his thing and drives around the corner. When he returns I am told that I need to get out of my ‘fantasy world’ and ‘tell the truth’. It turns out to have been towed on the 15th of November. I am told that not only was I contacted but that I told them I was picking up the car the next day.
This took me all by surprise as I would have of course picked up my car the very moment I received a call that it was towed. My phone records show no incoming call on or around the 15th of November and/or voice mail from anyone other then family and friends.
Being that I noticed the flat a week ago, ordered the pump and passed the car several times last week. Being that the outline of the car was clearly visible on the road, and it has rained plenty since the 15th of November. Could it be that the records where in error and the car was towed on the 15th of December? Why would the officer have a record while the precinct, 311, and the online database do not. Can they tow my car without providing a ticket? I spent 1200 dollars and I am now wondering if I should have paid 150. In addition the fender was struck (facing the sidewalk) which was not there prior to being towed.

Hi Larry,

I have no parking tickets and I was towed today. When I got to the pound, I was informed that the car was towed because of improper plates. The plates were fine. There’s no clarity on the ticket either. Can I fight this towing fee and ticker that was paid?

Hi,

First time on this blog!

My car was towed from a no parking zone. However, I had a placard for NYC teacher which allowed me to Park there. It had fallen of the Windshield on to the floor.

Assuming I take the position that the Placard was not noticed:

Can I fight the ticket similar to any Parking ticket? Additionally, If that is cleared would I get my $180 Impounding fee back?

Thanks for your help!

Thank you for this blog! Would appreciate your guidance on my situation. My car was just towed on a street in Dumbo where the only sign was for street cleaning on Thursday. I was legally parked there on the weekend with no outstanding tickets. They changed the signs on the street to remove the Thursday street cleaning sign and replaced it with a No Standing sign. As a result, my car was towed.

How can I dispute this tow when the original street signs are no longer present (ie, I cannot take photographic evidence of the original street signs)?

Thank you!

Hi Larry,
While on a flight returning home to NYC, my car was booted and towed from the auto repair garage where they were working on the car (repairing hit and run damage that happened while it was parked, double whammy). I could have dealt with the boot before it was towed but I was on a plane. The garage operator claimed the car was in their private driveway, not on the street, which I understand to be private property. The garage guys have never seen this before and they tried to dispute this with the representatives of Captain Hook (the city marshalls, as I do have outstanding tickets). Is this legal?

I read about a court ruling in 2010 that states cops can legally attach a GPS tracker to your car in a driveway at your house (so long as you can’t afford a gate for your driveway, which would prevent that under the Fourth Amendment). Does this allow seizing my car from a private driveway at a commercial garage? I appreciate any advice on dealing with this.

You previously asked Sophia if her car was towed without a ticket, well my car has been towed without being ticketed. On September 23, 2016 a Notice of Violation warning was place on my vehicle windshield concerning NYC’s seven day street storage rule. On September 29, 2016 my vehicle was towed six days later. I did not receive a violation. I did FOIL request the tow log and recorded all conversation concerning this matter. I did file and give notice to NYC Corporate Counsel.

What actions can I take against NYC? What causes of action can they be sued for?

Hello!!

On August 1st, my car was booted, my fiancé called to make the payment and by accident, they forgot to charge him the total amount and ONLY charged the boot release fee…last night I go online to pay the tickets and it says I can’t because my car is booted, but it’s not!! Clearly they made an error and now they’re calling us to let us know that we have to pay in full…I’ve called several times to let them know that the details about my car on line are in accurate and I’d like them to update it so that I can pay my tickets and they refuse. Again, it’s their error, not mine, what can I do?? Of course I don’t want to pay the additional fees, poundage etc. I just want to be able to pay my tickets on line that are in judgement. Help!!

I parked my car in my private spot and I woke up and it was gone. It was parked at my private spot #125 for 3 days. I didn’t have plates or registration in car. My question is since it’s my private spot that I pay for, isn’t it illegal for any tow truck company to tow my vehicle

Hi Larry.
On oct 20,2017 at 11 am the nypd towed three of my cars that were parked in front of my house in queens new York . The gave each car a ticket that says other. There is no alternate parking rules. It’s perfectly legal to park there. The cars are all legal and I owe no tickets. They claim the cars haven’t been moved in seven days. I’ve never received any notices or letters stating I had to move these cars. Besides they’re in front of my house. Everyone on my block parks in front of their house. If you drive down my block everyone parks in the same spot. Is there anything I can do about this? Thank you.

Hi Larry,
Im at a loss but you came up in a Google search and seem to know more then most.

My car was towed almost tow months ago. It was Never reported. Since it was not reported I did not know it was towed. I thought it was stolen. So i filed a police report, canceled my insurance which i was deeply troubled since I didn’t have theft coverage and canceled my registration. Weeks after all this, I got a ticket in the mail! I took it to the local 88 precinct and they still had no record and basically just said they couldn’t do anything. I went in several times every week and called, no one would help me. Then the sergeant looking at the ticket says the officer who signed the ticket was not of that precinct. He gives me the info and I track that officer down. The officer called me back and says he signed off on it and reported it to the 88.
88 still to this day has no record of it. So either the officer who authorized the tow, PO Marsh, who now will not call me back, or the 88 totally screwed up and didn’t report it or log it. Either way they all say its out of there hands and I have to pay the fine and sue the city.

I now have to go pick up my car and since its been missing for almost two months im owe $1k!!!! I also am disputing the ticket which is racking up fees for non payment because at the time I received the ticket it was still missing.

I have to pay for this on a credit card and it is completely putting me out. How do I handle this and be reimbursed??? I shouldn’t have to financially pay for the city’s mistakes. PLease let me know what I can do

Hi larry,
Thank you for this great service you are providing to us all. I found you on google.
So i parked in front of a gas station, the whole sidewalk is slanted, like a ramp. But there are signs that its a metered area, so going by the signs parking is permited. I parked over night and from what i thought i left enough room for vehicles to enter/exit the station. Next day i go get my car and it had been towed. I paid the towing fee and got my car. I disputed the ticket and it was dismissed. It says it was dismissed because they couldnt read the time, not because the argument i presented. Can i dispute the towing charge and get my loney back since the ticket was dismissed. Of so, how do i go about it?
Thank you for your answer.

Hi Larry,

On 11/26/2018 my vehicle was ticketed and towed. I parked at Commerce and Waterbury Avenues in the Bronx and, did not observe the sign which stated (No Standing). I entered the Department of Motor Vehicles at 2:56pm and, my vehicle was based on the time stamp of the ticket 3:01pm ticketed and then towed. I picked up my vehicle at the NYPD Impound located at 745 East 141st Street and, had to pay the towing fee of $185.00. I also have the violation for parking at a No Standing zone for $115.00 to pay. Bum deal due to this draconian law, that only takes more of our taxpayer dollars, for an Agency that polices us Citizens. This 1956 Tow Away Zone law needs to be revisited and, changed to be equally fair with the amount of vehicles this State has.

Hey Larry,

I really appreciate you taking the time to answer everyone’s questions. I was just outside on 34th and 1st walking my dog and watched the cops begin to tow 20 or so cars. They put up these tiny little signs that say no parking because of the UN. I noticed someone I know in my building about to get towed. The NYPD couldent get to the car so the broke into the car with a long plastic stick. I am assuming to unlock it and then got into the car, moved it and then began to tow. Is the NYPD allowed to break into a car to tow?

Hi,
I got towed today because I got a ticket for an expired inspection sticker. Since the sticker was expired after paying $185 in tow fees, plus $3.70 for using a credit card, it cost me another $65 to have it towed to the street because I couldn’t drive it off the lot with an expired sticker. Then of course the $115 ticket itself, it seems like the city tows for what they simply ticketed for in the past. My inspection was 8 days late, an oversight I admit to, and a $115 ticket would have been a fine reminder. I had the inspection as soon as I got my car out of impound, what saddens me is the greed of this city. With all of the double parked cars, cars in no standing zones, and cars parking in handicapped spots in NYC towing for an inspection stickers seems particularly harsh.

My car was towed by NYC police. Can I send someone else to pick it up?

Hi Larry

I got a parking ticket in NYC and was towed by a towing service from long Island for some reason: https://www.gardencitytowingservice.com/ – It was very inconvenient for me to get my car but I digress.

If I fight the parking ticket successfully in court, is there any way to get reimbursed by the city for the cost of the towing service?

I would like to know the laws in Nassau County, Long Island, NY: When a towing company comes to my house to tow my car, on my private property, on my parking lot, is there an obligation and responsibility to tell me when my car is ready to be towed? Are they free to come into my yard and tow my car out? No need to show me court documents or bank documents?

Hi Larry,

So I was put into a payment program, and the lady stated that the money will be taken out automatically every month. 2 months passed, and then they booted and towed my car. Went in person to DOF on John St, and the rude lady told me I had to call to make continuous payments. (Never knew that). So, I called the DOF and they said that they do not take payments over the phone. I tried to explain it to the lady, but she said I will still need to pay a certain amount in over to get my car back and be placed into the hardship program since I’m not currently working. Unfortunately, I lost my job and I’m not able to pay them. Is there a way I can get the car back because I feel like I was mislead multiple times, and it’s not fair.