Is Payment Plan the Answer for Parking Tickets in Judgment?

Last Updated on February 14, 2023 by Lawrence Berezin

Is an installment payment plan a solution for Joe’s parking ticket judgment debt?

Joe was the unhappy recipient of a bunch of NYC parking tickets, which he ignored because he didn’t have the money to pay ’em. Joe owes the Evil Empire a barrel full of money for fines, penalties, and interest on these 49 moribund parking tickets in judgment. Is the installment payment plan an option for Joe?

Check out the new guidelines for parking ticket payment plans on the Evil Empire’s website.

Installment Payment Plans

A payment plan (also known as an installment agreement or installment plan) is an agreement between you and the department under which you agree to pay the amount you owe over time instead of paying the full amount all at once. A payment plan for parking tickets will also allow you to avoid having enforcement actions such as having your vehicle booted or towed without you having to pay off your entire debt immediately.

Payment Plan vs. paying your bill all at once

• A payment plan allows you to make a series of smaller payments instead of making one large payment, but it increases the total amount you will pay. This is because interest will continue to be added to your balance until the amount you owe is completely paid off.  For example, if you owe $1,000 and you choose a 2-year payment plan with 9% interest, you will end up paying a total of more than $1,100.
• Entering into a payment plan for parking tickets will not enable you to obtain a Satisfaction of Judgment, Registration Clearance, or Vehicle Release. In order to do this, you must pay off your entire judgment debt.

Parking Ticket Payment Plan Requirements

1. You must be the registered owner or the owner’s court-appointed agent.
2. You must have at least 40 days left in the current registration. If approved, the plan will last only as long as the current registration.
3. Your vehicle has to have had proper insurance for more than 30 days.
4. You must owe more than $350 in parking and/or camera violation judgments.
5. Hearings on outstanding judgments must be completed.
6. Any current or defaulted Payment Plans must be paid in full.
   • 50% plus all fees for plans involving booted and/or towed vehicles
   • 33% of all other plans

Minimum Down Payments

• 50% plus all fees for plans involving booted and/or towed vehicles
• 33% of all other plans

Application Process
Fill out the Payment Plan Request Form, and if you owe more than $10,000 in judgment debt, you must also fill out a Parking Credit Application. Bring your completed form(s) to any Finance Business Center to enter a payment agreement.

[Larry’s note: This information was taken from the NYC DOF website]

Has this happened to you? Any luck entering into a payment plan?