Last Updated on August 13, 2021 by Lawrence Berezin
A step-by-step guide to fighting an NYC parking ticket
We have been very successful fighting NYC parking tickets and winning. One of the reasons is that we developed a process through pain, suffering, trial, and error that works! Likewise, we follow the same steps for each parking ticket.
Our mantra is, “fight when you’re right.”
Most importantly, the only reason we lose is that a rogue judge closes his eyes and writes guilty.
First step: Check out the only image of the parking ticket and save it to your computer. Don’t rely on the information contained in your copy of the ticket because the judge doesn’t.
Second step: Write the pertinent data entered on the parking ticket on a separate, blank sheet of paper. To clarify, I write the:
-Violation code (i.e., VC20, VC40, VC 46) to remind me of the enemy we’re trying to defeat
-Place of occurrence
-Days and hours the rule is in effect
-Otherwise, I look at the ticket
I like working from a clean, separate document. Better to see the errors with.
And the beat goes on
Third step: Check your parking ticket with a fine-tooth comb for omitted, misdescribed, and illegible required elements.
For an expired meter violation, the warrior must enter, the
“meter number,”
“operational (Y),”
and “limit.”
The limit entered is 5M (meaning the 5 minute grace period was honored).
For mechanical meters, the limit is the parking time limit in your parking zone (those old dinosaurs are gone with the wind)
For an expired registration or expired inspection sticker, make sure the sticker’s expiration date and sticker number are entered on the parking ticket. (You’ll find this data in the comments section of a printed parking ticket).
If you find one or more defects, you win upon presenting the proper proof properly.
For example, if the registration expiration date is omitted and your plate displays the month and year of expiration (for certain out-of-state vehicles), you must submit:
- A copy of your vehicle registration (optional, but I recommend if you’re car was born out-of-state)
- Two photographs of your car. One of the front and a second a close up of your plate clearly showing the month and year of expiration
Two more to go
Fourth step: Research your parking ticket to determine whether you have a substantive defense.
For example, I always check the place of occurrence to make sure the parking rule and days/hours displayed on the actual parking sign match the parking rule and days/hours entered on your parking ticket.
For another example, always check the place of occurrence for a fire hydrant violation. Often, the location of your parking space entered on the ticket is MORE than 15 feet from a fire hydrant, doesn’t exist, or there is no fire hydrant in the vicinity.
Here is some resource to use to check the information without leaving the cozy comfort of your home:
5th step: Present the proper proof, properly
This is the step where many of the wonderful members of our driving community lose their fighting form and are vanquished by the Evil Empire. Every parking violation code (99) has one or more specific defenses that will set you free. It is a must for all our Luke Skywalkers to match the proper defense to the parking crime.
Crying the blues, or explaining that you left a note for the parking ticket warrior that you’d be right back, or worse yet, advise the judge that his honor is free to call you if she has any questions…are not examples of winning defenses.
Commentary
This step-by-step approach works because it focuses on the task at hand and helps you avoid missing critical steps in the fighting process.
Never, ever pay an NYC parking ticket “no questions asked,” and when you’re right-Fight, but please present the proper proof properly.
To all our Lukes…Good luck fighting the good fight!
Larry, I don’t see my situation covered so I’d like to ask you a question. I am from PA and my daughter recently moved to Brooklyn directly across from Prospect Park. One recent Sunday, I visited her for about six hours to bring her some of her stuff and was scanning the street for a parking place. Luckily, or so I thought, I found one between two other cars on the park side of the street. I did not see any “No Parking” signs, plus other cars were parked on either side of me. I came back after lunch with my daughter to find a ticket on my window for parking in a “No Standing” zone. There was a No Standing sign in front of the car in front of me, but the arrow was pointing the other direction. To be honest with you, I have not ever encountered a No Standing sign in my whole driving life of 45 years! (Granted, I did not grow up in a city, which, I’m guessing, has something to do with it.) Frankly, cars don’t stand. Cars park or they stop, they do not stand. Logically, I thought this sign referred to people, especially as it was right by a crosswalk, thinking maybe it meant to not stand in the street. I really don’t know. As there were other cars parked there, why would I think the sign was meant for me? When I returned to my car around 3:00 p.m., there was both a car in front of me and a car behind me, although different from the ones I parked between in the morning. In addition, I have arthritis and am considered handicapped, and there are no parking garages close enough that my car can make it into, so I must find a place on the street. The ticket says my violation is for No Standing All Days/10A – 10P. My offense was at 10:11AM. It looks like the ticket was filled out properly. Is there any mercy on parking tickets? I can tell you I will never do it again, but I seriously, did not know.
Kris,
Wow. That’s quite a story. Sorry for the no standing pain.
OK, where to begin
Parking in NYC is like parking in a different country. In order to survive, you got to learn sign language or else be prepared for a costly visit.
Here’s a blog post I wrote about no standing. You may find it helpful.
Next, might I suggest you learn the rules for parking on Sundays in the city. Here’s a link to a blog post
Now, how do you beat this evil ticket?
There are special rules for parking on Sundays. One of them is that you don’t have to obey parking signs unless the rule displayed on the sign is in effect all days and all times. The no standing rule that regulated your space was only in effect 10A-10P and not all times, you can beat this ticket.
Regards,
Larry
PS…Cars do stand in NYC!
Hi Larry- I found an empty envelope on my car today for alternate side parking – I came to my car a few mins after Street cleaning times began. Was the officer placing it there to come back and tkt or do we no longer receive actual physical tickets in NY? (Which begs the question, how do I check for accuracy of details?). Thanks in advance
Hi Stacy,
Good morning.
Sorry about the street cleaning parking pain.
But, yes, you were supposed to get the physical ticket.
Meanwhile, you can check online for the details of the ticket.
First, click this link And, then, click on the link for “Find Your Parking Ticket Online.”
However, if you were able to prove that the physical parking summons (ticket) wasn’t left on your car, you have a winning defense (lack of proper service of summons).
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hi Larry,
I recently got a ticket at NY street cleaning zone area despite 5 minutes grace period ( no parking from 7:30-8). I came to pick up my car at 7:35 am and the officer was already giving me the ticket and printed it at 7:36 am without even listening to me. Do you think I have a chance to fight that ticket? Thanks in advance!
Olga
Hi, Olga,
Sorry to learn about your street cleaning pain.
The 5-minute grace period starts at 7:30A and ends at 7:35A. If you didn’t move your car
by then, you are eligible for a nasty ticket at 7:36A.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hi,
I have a question too. I recently received a ticket at 12:55 when I was double parked from 11:30-1:00 I know they say it is a courtesy to double park but I know I only received the ticket as everyone else had moved their car back early, as they tend to do in my neighborhood. I’m certain at 12:55 the officer thought I had forgotten to move my car. When I returned promptly at 1:00 and saw the ticket already on my car I politely asked the officer why my car had been ticketed if it was just now 1:00 He kept saying it was a courtesy which I understand but no one else on the block received a ticket. He tried to tell me it was because a neighbor wanted to leave and I was blocking them in. At 12:55 they needed to leave, barely 5 minutes before alt side ended? I find that highly suspicious, especially since one, he couldn’t tell me what neighbor it was and two, there was no one remotely waiting to pull out of a spot after I moved my car. I know it is a courtesy but this is ridiculous since I know he only did this to get a ticket written and generate revenue. And then he lied to my face about it. I asked how he was conveniently waiting at 12:55 to help someone he didn’t even know had a problem and he had some crazy made up answer for that. What, if anything, can I do to address this issue?
Hi, Kate,
Good morning.
Sorry about the street cleaning pain.
I’m afraid the information you got was correct. If you park on the restricted side of the street on street cleaning days and times, you are eligible for a street cleaning ticket. If you don’t get one, you’re lucky the Cop of Warrior extended you the courtesy of not giving you one. The fact that others didn’t get a ticket or the Cop or Warrior lied is not a winning defense.
I totally understand how frustrating street cleaning can be. A few years ago, I tried unsuccessfully to change ’em. I lost. They are one of the 10 Commandments of parking in NYC. They’re written in stone and not going to change.
I would check the front of the ticket for omitted, misdescribed, or illegible required elements. If you find one or more, you win subject to presenting the proper proof properly.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Larry,
What do you do if you see a ticket on your windshield, but it doesn’t belong to you? It has someone else’s license plate number, different license state, different model and color. It simply appears someone took another persons ticket and slapped it on my vehicle. Why would someone do that and what should I do with that ticket?
Hi, Jack,
Good morning.
Kudos for trying to do the right thing in Parking Ticket Land.
unfortunately, I don’t think there is anything you can do to ensure that the evil ticket finds its way home.
The rightful owner will receive a notice from the Evil Empire as 30-days approaches. She will deny ever getting a copy of the ticket and everyone will ignore her complaint. But, she’d be right. Just another day in Parking Ticket Land.
Regards,
Larry
hi,
i got two tickets in one day for expired registration.
can i fight one or do i need to pay both?
Hi, Mindy,
Good morning. Sorry to learn about your “double trouble.”
Expired registration is a status violation. Meaning something is wrong with your registration, inspection, plates or equipment, etc as opposed to the location of your car, no standing, no stopping, no parking, etc.
The Evil Empire has the custom if you get two status violations in one day, to dismiss the second evil ticket if you pay and present proof of payment of the second ticket.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Larry,
Thank you for your quick response. Can I fight the second status ticket online or by mail?
Hi, Mindy,
My pleasure.
Yes.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
LArry,
unfortunately, i just got a t$115 double parking ticket :(. Alternate side was until 10am. I forgot to move my car back and i was ticketed at 10:05am. Is there anything i can do about that? Isnt there a 5 minute window ?
thanks again
Larry
Do you think a medical problem that resulted in an ASP ticket will be dismissed or possibly reduced?
Thanks
Hi, Liam,
Good morning.
An emergency medical problem may be accepted as an affirmative defense for a parking violation. For example, if you were driving, felt pain in the chest, and pulled to the curb in a no parking area. If you ended up driving home and immediately saw a doctor or checked into a hospital emergency room, a judge may dismiss the ticket. It would be an emergency medical problem and you can prove it by providing the parking ticket judge with the medical records.
On the other hand, if you didn’t feel good when it was time to move the car for ASP, and didn’t immediately see a doctor, you’re toast.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hi Larry,
I got a parking ticket in a no standing zone at 12:11am. The sign said: NO STANDING FRI-SUN MIDNIGHT-6AM NO PARKING TUESDAY FRIDAY 11AM-12:30PM .
On the ticket the officer described the violation as NO STANDING DAYS/HRS: ALL DAYS/ 6P – 6A.
Would this ticket be dismissed based on a technicality because the officer did not write the violation description according to the street sign?
Thanks for your help,
Jenn
Hi, Jenn,
Congratulations, you are a winner upon presenting the proper proof, properly.
You’ll have to prove:
-The rule, days and hours displayed on the sign or signs that regulated the place of occurrence
-The rule, days and hours were misdescribed
I would check out the NYC DOT Parking Regulations Map for confirmation and evidence.
Regards,
Larry
Hi,
I received a ticket on a No Standing M W F (7 AM-7PM)
I was parked on a Friday when alternate side parking was suspended.
Do Alternate Side Suspensions apply to No Standing MWF or only to No Parking MWF.
I believe it applies to no standing as well, and if so this should be defendable, but wanted your thoughts.
Thanks,
Raj
Hi, Raj,
Good morning.
Oh man, sorry to burst your bubble, but ASP Rules Suspensions only apply to ASP Rules.
The suspensions do not apply to no standing or no parking rules.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hi,
I received a parking ticket but it was no ticket in the car. The next day I received another ticket but this time the ticket was left in the car. I always park in this area where cleaning rules did not exist. Now they put it this new cleaning rules. There is any way that I can fight this tickets .
Hi, Boris,
Good morning.
Sorry for your street cleaning ticket grief.
You mentioned that they put in a new street cleaning rule where you regularly parked. There is a law that states if a new parking sign is installed, you have a 5-day grace period to adjust. In other words, if you get a parking ticket within 5-days of the installation of the new sign, you can fight the ticket and win. The challenge is proving the exact date of installation.
Otherwise, I would check the front of the ticket for omitted, misdescribed, or illegible required elements. If you find one or more, you win, upon presenting the proper proof, properly.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
One day recently,a “Back in only” parking sign just popped up on top of the other signs. Who knew? This is a high traffic small 2 way ave in brooklyn,
(Cropsey ave ) Trying to back in to a spot w/ a 100 year old mom w/ Alzheimers and horns blowing, saying what are you doing ?, you are going to get a ticket, is NOT a pretty picture. This is ridiculous and will eventually lead to accidents. I would like to fight $60 tkt and also fight for removal of this un necessary nuisance. We have parked there 50 years with maybe one meter ticket! After being forced into spot by traffic, there was NO way to get out of spot and back in. As you know this kind of parking only makes it easier for DOT to give tkts. It would be appalling if there would be no way for our community to stop this. I would be willing to take this matter further to stop this awful daily problem. Who is accountable for worsening our living conditions in our city rather than making them better?
Your work can help us cope and we are collectively grateful.
Hi, Harry,
I hear you loud and clear. Kudos for taking action.
First, can you fight the ticket and win? Sadly, a parking ticket judge will not dismiss a parking ticket because the law is stupid or unfair. So, I would:
-Check the front of the ticket for omitted, misdescribed, or illegible required elements
-There is a law that states if a new parking sign is installed, you have a 5-day grace period to adjust. In other words, if you get a parking ticket within 5-days of the installation of the new sign, you can fight the ticket and win. The challenge is proving the exact date of installation.
Rule changes
The Commissioner of the DOT has the power to enact new rules. The City Council has the power to make new laws.
I’m not exactly sure of the process of rulemaking that starts with the draft of a new rule and ends up with a new sign that displays the rule being installed.
The go-to guy on this stuff is Gridlock Sam. Here’s a link
Please keep us posted. Good luck, Harry.
Regards,
Larry
Hello Larry,
I just recently bought a car through private sale and recently got 2 parking fine.
The first fine was for not having the front plates on. I had received the plates in the mail the afternoon before and only had enough screws to attach 1 plate on the back. The next morning, before I had had a chance to buy more screws and attach the front plate I had received a parking ticket.
The second ticket was for not having an inspection sticker. My understanding was that I had a 10 day grace period to get a sticker. Does that period start from the moment I submit the registration forms or after I received the registration sticker and plates in the mail? Also I thought that an executive order has been passed giving an extension on all inspections until august 5th. Does that only apply for renewals and do new stickers fall under that category?
Any information would be greatly appreciated
Thank you
Hi Lachlan,
Good morning. Great questions. However, I can’t give you a definitive response. Here’s my take:
-The logistic difficulties you described, while sad and understandable, will never be a winning defense for a missing plate ticket in Parking Ticket Land
-Inspection sticker:
—-The change of ownership of a motor vehicle immediately triggers a requirement to get an MV inspected. I interpret this to mean, the date title is signed over to you by the seller.
—-I would argue that the Executive Orders signed by Gov. Cuomo and the action by the NY State MV suspended indefinitely until further notice the requirement to get a vehicle inspected.
Let us know how you do.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hello Larry, I’m from Cleveland Ohio and I don’t know anything about alternate side parking, and this morning I got a ticket in NYC ( which is what I learned the 3rd day it went back into effect after being suspended for the longest time). Is there any way I can get this fought?
Hi Jj,
I’m sorry you were treated so rudely by the Parking Ticket Warriors.
I would check the front of the parking ticket for omitted, misdescribed, or illegible required elements. If you find one or more and present the proper proof, you win. The ticket will be dismissed.
For example, if Ohio requires the month and year your registration expires to be displayed on the plate and the Warrior enters, NS or NA, you win.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Ok thanks ???? it actually does say ns under exp date how do I go about it now?
Hi. I received a ticket today on alternate side parking however, the ticket read 71st Street and not 70th Street. Do I have a chance at beating this? And what kind of proof would I need. Also, I must note that I checked out the signs on 71st Street and they are the same as 70th, ugh. So I am not even sure I have a chance here.
Hi Veronica,
Sorry about the painful orange epistle.
What was the street number on the ticket? Is that number on 71 Street and 70 Street?
Regards,
Larry
Hello,
NYC crazy alternate side parking rules again. So according to the site it says if multiple days are listed, it only applies to the last day. I parked on a Tuesday where it states 8:30-9:00 except Sunday. Is that not one of the multiple days but will it need to list each day? I also see the rules do not apply in metered areas which it is not.
Hi Cami,
Good afternoon. Great question.
Sorry for your ASP pain.
Here’s the current ASP rule:
I got an alternate side parking ticket as I was walking up to my car. I was about 20 min late, but I was running late because I wasn’t feeling well and was in the restroom. would the judge accept that?
and do can I fight my ticket over the phone, or does it have to be in person?
Hi Sara,
Good morning.
Sorry to hear about your parking pain.
I’m afraid, your restroom defense will not work.
I would check the ticket for any omitted, misdescribed, or illegible required elements. If you find one or more, a judge will dismiss your ticket, subject to presenting the proper proof properly.
I fight all my tickets online. Here’s a link. However, I don’t think you can fight a parking ticket by phone.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hello I have a question…for street cleaning rules, Can the police sit around the corner and wait for the time? I got a ticket literally 8 mins after the time it started…I have small kids and they take long to walk down the stairs lol
Hi Jessica,
I am very sorry to say, yes they can. As long as they issue the ticket after the time expires.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Hi! Glad to have found this article. I got a ticket a few days ago for not moving my car during street cleaning hours, but my car battery actually died so I couldn’t move it (and couldn’t go to a store to buy jumper cables until after work). A disabled vehicle seems to be a reason to dispute the ticket, but I don’t know how to prove that. The car has since been moved (a friendly neighbor help me jump start my car) and I am home for the holidays where I have an appointment to get the car battery replaced.
Hi Kelly,
Sorry about the double trouble of a disabled car and parking ticket.
Here’s what the Evil Empire has to say about the “disabled car” defense:
If your vehicle suddenly became disabled and you were ticketed for parking it illegally, you may have a defense if you can prove the following:
The car suddenly became disabled.
The car was thereafter expeditiously removed from the location.
If the car was parked illegally and then became disabled, this defense will not prevail.
I would look at the time of offense entered on the parking ticket and the time that a friendly neighbor helped you jumpt start the car. Likewise, I would try to prove that time period shows that you “expeditiously” moved the car. However, if you waited until after work, I know from past experience that the Evil Empire may not be as understanding as your employer.
Good luck, Kelly.
Regards,
Larry