Last Updated on December 27, 2015 by Lawrence Berezin
Good morning students. I’m Larry from New York Parking Ticket LLC, and this is our first class in reading NYC parking signs.
How many of you have a Ph.D? Wow, lots of hands. How many of you have an MBA? Wow, lots of hands. How many of you understand a NYC parking sign? Wow, no hands.
Here are some useful definitions:
Stopping: Any halting even momentarily of a vehicle, whether occupied or not.
Standing: The stopping of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.
Parking: The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or passenger.
Temporarily: 2 minutes or less.
Is it safe to park a passenger vehicle to the left of the gotcha pole at noon on Wednesday?
- First step: Do any of the three parking signs on the gotcha pole prohibit parking a passenger vehicle on Wednesday? In what direction?
- Second Step: The middle sign only permits commercial vehicles to park at noon on Wednesday
- Third Step: Look at the direction in which the arrow is pointing at the bottom of each parking sign. The arrow indicates the direction of the curb space regulated by the rule displayed on the parking sign. On the above sign, the arrows point in both directions. This means that the sign regulates the curb space in both directions; until the next parking sign or the end of the block.
- Fourth Step: The correct answer is NO. If it took you more than 3 seconds, you were issued a no standing parking ticket ($115)
Is it safe to park a commercial vehicle to the right of the gotcha pole at 10 a.m. on Saturday?
First Step: Is parking permitted for commercial vehicles on Saturday
Second Step: The bottom sign permits 1-hour parking on Saturdays
Third Step: The arrow permits parking in both directions
Fourth Step: The correct answer is YES because the bottom sign does not limit parking to passenger vehicles. Make sure you pay the muni-meter
Let’s summarize:
| NO STOPPING | NO STANDING |
NO PARKING | |
| Can I stop to drop off or pick up passengers? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Can I stop to load or unload a package, or merchandise at curbside? | No | No | |
| Is waiting allowed? | No | No | No |
[Larry’s note: Please fill in the blank space under “No Parking” with Yes!]
[Larry’s note: This chart is courtesy of the NYC DOT Office of public information]
what does it mean when it says NO PARKING MONDAY-FRIDAY 8AM-6PM. does that mean monday thrue friday or monday and friday?
Hi Marianela,
Good afternoon. Great question.
The rule displayed by this parking sign restricts parking on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday but only between the hours of 8 am to 6 pm. However, this rule is not enforceable before 8 am and after 6 pm. In other words, you can park in a parking space regulated by that sign before 8 am and after 6 pm.
Further, parking is permitted during all hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
Be safe.
Regards,
Larry