Last Updated on October 25, 2021 by Lawrence Berezin
Here’s how doctors and dentists can avoid NYC parking tickets
Has this ever happened to you, Ms. MD? You have patients to treat at a local NYC hospital. However, do you have to circle the block to find a legal NYC parking space near the hospital?
That is to say, twenty- minutes later you are still circling the block to no avail. Finally, you become exasperated, park in a questionable spot, and pray you don’t get an NYC parking ticket. But, as luck would have it that parking space ends up costing you $115.
Most importantly, Is there any solution to this NYC parking challenge for doctors and dentists?
Here’s the doctor-Dentist parking rule
4-08(m)(4) Parking of doctors’ and dentists’ vehicles.
Where parking is prohibited by signs, but not where stopping or standing is prohibited, a duly licensed physician or dentist may park his/her motor vehicle, identified by “MD,” “OP” or “DDS” New York registration plates, on a roadway adjacent to hospitals or clinics for a period not to exceed three hours. For the purposes of this paragraph, only those portions of a roadway corresponding to the shaded areas on the diagrams below shall be considered adjacent to a hospital or clinic. At other locations where
parking is prohibited by signs, but not where stopping or standing is prohibited, a duly licensed the physician may park his/her motor vehicle, identified by “MD” or “OP” New York registration plates, for a period not to exceed one hour while actually attending to a patient in the immediate vicinity
4-08(m)(4) Doctor’ & Dentist’ NYC Parking Rule
Frequently asked questions by our doctor and dentist clients
1. Can I park without fear of an NYC parking ticket at a sign that says, “No Stopping” or “No Standing?”
No. This rule only applies to signs that say “No Parking.” You cannot park where stopping or standing is prohibited
2. What if I am an NJ doctor, with NJ license plates containing “MD?”
According to the plain language, only a doctor or dentist with NY plates may take advantage of this rule. I suggest that any doctor or dentist with license plates identifying him as such may take advantage of this rule. Otherwise, any other interpretation leads to a ludicrous result. Unfortunately, we haven’t tested our theory; but would be willing to do so.
3. Which streets are “adjacent” to the hospital?
Please see the above diagram.
4. I don’t understand the last part of the rule permitting one-hour parking. Where, exactly can I park for one hour?
All other locations where you are actually attending to a patient, in the immediate vicinity; so long as “Stopping” or “Standing” is allowed. “Immediate vicinity” is not defined. I guess you should apply common sense. My only concern is, will the Parking Violation Bureau do likewise.
Does a NYS issued “Psychologist” license plate allow one to park in doctors only parking adjacent to hospitals?
Dear Paul,
Good morning.
Great question.
I am sorry to report that the doctor’s parking rule is limited to duly licensed physicians or dentists, with NY plates bearing the notation “MD,” “OP,” or “DDS.”
Thanks for stopping by and participation in the conversation.
Best,
Larry
What about Resident physicians working at the hospital
Dear Gabriela,
Good morning.
Great question.
The rule applies to a duly licensed physician (or dentist) in the state of NY, with an “MD” on the license plates.
Is a resident a licensed NY doctor?
Best,
Larry
It’s obviously prohibited to park at the meter an extra hour without pay for general drivers. Can a licensed MD rely on the rule 34 RCNY 4-08 (m)(4) when paid time is over, but he is still helping the patient?
Dear Mark,
I am sad to report (after dedicating 6 years, 7-days-per-week, with two months off for my heart attack) that I will no longer be answering questions on Larry’s Blog. You’ll find a treasure trove of information in the 746 Blog Posts and growing, F.A.Q.’s, and comments.
If you need help, you may wish to check out of service offerings. Here’s a link.
https://newyorkparkingticket.com/passenger-vehicles/