Parking ticket definitions are important to know. And so is understanding parking signs

Spotlight On Parking Ticket Definitions You Need To Know

ByLawrence Berezin
Parking ticket definitions are important to know.

Knowing parking ticket definitions will save you money.

How’s your knowledge of the essential parking ticket definitions (“words and phrases”)? For example, do you know the meaning of:

  • Standing
  • Commercial vehicle
  • Unmarked crosswalk
  • Safety zone
  • And many more

Otherwise, how will you know:

  • How to avoid a no-standing ticket
  • How to beat a no-standing ticket
  • If you can park your commercial vehicle or truck in a commercial meter zone?
  • Whether you can stop, stand, or park in an unmarked crosswalk

Let’s spotlight parking ticket definitions to see how these golden nuggets will save you dough.

NYC Parking ticket definitions

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.

Likewise, you cannot stop your car in the area regulated by a no-standing sign. Unless you only stop temporarily to drop off or pick up Aunt Tilly. But you must:

  • Leave the no-standing area immediately.
  • You cannot wait for Aunt Tilly to cross the street or walk into her apartment.
  • Not drop off Aunt Tilly’s luggage. No-standing areas are for people only and not property.
  • Remember, a parking sign regulates the curb space from the sign in the direction of the arrow (or if there is no arrow, both directions) until the next parking sign or the end of the block.
  • Likewise, you must check the rule on the closest sign to the front and to the rear of your parking space (car). Even if there is a parking sign directly in front or to the rear of your car. Always check both directions!

Meanwhile, the no-parking rule is similar, except you can drop off Aunt Tilly and her property.

When official signs, markings, or traffic control devices have been posted prohibiting, restricting, or limiting the standing of vehicles, no person shall stand or park any vehicle in violation of the restrictions posted on such signs, markings, or traffic control devices.

Do you know how many no-standing rules are posted by the Evil Empire?

  • Taxi stand.
  • Taxi and/or for-hire vehicle relief stand.
  • Bus stop.
  • Authorized vehicles.
  • Hotel loading zone.
  • Commuter van stop.
  • For-hire vehicle stand.

No person shall stand or park a vehicle in any of the following places unless otherwise indicated by
posted signs, markings, or other traffic control devices or at the direction of a law enforcement
officer:

Can you name the general no-standing zones?

  • Double parking.
  • Driveways.
  • Parks.
  • Bus lane. In any lane designated for the exclusive use of buses.
  • Railroad crossings. Within fifty feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.
  • Safety zones.
  • Pedestrian ramps.

You can stop temporarily to drop off or pick up Aunt Tilly in areas covered by no-standing rules. But you have to pick up or drop her off at the curb. And you must leave the area immediately!

How about “commercial vehicles?”

For purposes of parking, standing, and stopping rules, a vehicle will not be deemed a
commercial vehicle or a truck unless:
(A) it bears commercial plates and
(B) it is permanently altered by having all seats and seat fittings except the front
seats, removed to facilitate the transportation of property, except for vehicles
designed with a passenger cab and a cargo area separated by a partition, the
seating capacity within the cab will not be considered in determining whether the
the vehicle is properly altered, and
(C) it displays the registrant’s name and address permanently affixed in characters
at least three inches high on both sides of the vehicle, with such a display being in a
color contrasting with that of the vehicle and placed approximately midway vertically
on doors or side panels.

Keep Reading

Keep reading to encourage reader to continue


(ii) For the purposes of rules other than parking, stopping, and standing rules, a vehicle
designed, maintained, or used primarily for the transportation of property or for the
provision of commercial services and bearing commercial plates will be deemed a
commercial vehicle.


(iii) Vehicles bearing commercial or equivalent registration plates from other states or
countries will not be deemed trucks or commercial vehicles unless they are permanently
altered and marked as required in (i)(B), and (C) of this definition, above

Yes. But as of October 15, 2023, the proposed rule has not been enacted.

Only if your vehicle is properly altered (4-08(k)(1) )

Parking of unaltered commercial vehicles prohibited

No person shall stand or park a vehicle with commercial plates in any location unless it has been permanently altered with all seats and rear seat fittings, except the front seats, removed except that for vehicles designed with a passenger cab and a cargo area separated by a partition, the seating capacity within the cab shall not be considered in determining whether the vehicle is properly altered, and has the name and address of the owner as shown on the registration certificate plainly marked on both sides of the vehicle in letters and numerals not less than three inches in height, in compliance with Section 10-127 of the Administrative Code and is also in compliance with the definition of commercial vehicle .”

Marked versus unmarked crosswalks.

(i) Marked crosswalk. The term “marked crosswalk” means that part of a roadway defined
by two parallel lines or highlighted by a pattern of lines (perpendicular, parallel, or diagonal
used either separately or in combination) that is intended to guide pedestrians into the proper
crossing paths.

(ii) Unmarked crosswalk. The term “unmarked crosswalk” means that part of a roadway,
other than a marked crosswalk that is included within the extensions of the sidewalk lines
between opposite sides of the roadway at an intersection, provided that(A) the roadway crosses through the intersection rather than ending at the intersection and/or (B) all traffic on the opposing roadway is controlled by a traffic control device.

Remember, the Evil Empire prohibits a driver from stopping, standing, or parking in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. In other words, you can’t drop off Aunt Tilly in a crosswalk.

Words and Phrases Defined (parking ticket definitions_4-401)

Read the file below to check out the parking ticket definitions that apply to NYC Traffic Rules, 4-08. These definitions are essential to know.

NYC-Traffic-Rules-Words-and-Phrases_parking-ticket-definitionsDownload
Redisgned parking signs NYC

Larry’s Guide to Redesigned Parking Signs

True or False? The redesigned parking signs make parking a breeze. Likewise, I understand every sign and have zero questions about its meaning. If your answer is True, then you don’t need this guide. (False for most of us!)

On the other hand, if the redesigned signs are still confusing, you might benefit from some tips about understanding them and parking safely.

Just click the pretty button below. You’ll be glad you did!

Why delay? Download today

How about parking signs?

No Parking anytime sign with temporary construction regulation addendum attached.

This is a no-parking anytime sign with an orange temporary construction regulation addendum attached. Please notice that the addendum is required to display the agency ordering the regulation (in this case, NYC DOT)

This example is a legal paper parking regulation for a movie shoot. It contains the required information.

This is a parking pole with the zone number attached in blue

This sign has the Zone number addendum attached to the parking signs.

“Where there are two signs posted affecting the same area but with conflicting restrictions, follow the less restrictive sign.” Meanwhile, which is the “less restrictive sign?”

I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to the following question:

  • The agency’s name on the red no-standing sign is hidden by the white street cleaning sign. Or, the agency’s name doesn’t exist. In either case, can you argue that the no-standing sign is not a legal sign?
  • I would give the defense a shot. How about you?

Commentary

Learning these parking ticket definitions (“words and phrases”) may take a little patience, but the rewards will be significant savings.

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