Last Updated on May 1, 2023 by Lawrence Berezin
Parking ticket prevention is worth a pound of cure.
NYC Parking ticket prevention. Benjamin Franklin famously warned fire-threatened Philadelphians in 1736 that:
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Benjamin franklin
Preventing fires was better than fighting them. In the same vein, avoiding NYC parking tickets is better than fighting them. But I’m afraid it may be easier to extinguish a fire.
Most importantly, are there ways to prevent a costly parking ticket?
Absolutely!
How to prevent a fire hydrant ticket
Let’s start with the ubiquitous fire hydrant violation. Here are a few tips:
- Most importantly, learn the rule and its numerous exceptions (See 4-08(e)(2) at p. 25).
- Next, do not park closer to a fire hydrant than 15 feet.
- However, drivers can park closer than 15 feet between sunrise and sunset as long as they remain seated behind the wheel of a passenger car with the keys ready to move on request of the gendarmes or Epstein’s mother.
- Do not stop, stand, or park a non-passenger vehicle within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, even if the driver remains seated behind the wheel. Sorry, it’s verboten.
- Please, do not be the first car in a line of cars near a fire hydrant. Meanwhile, I understand how difficult it is to pass up a vacant NYC parking space that seems to be more than 15 feet away. But trust me, it will save you a ticket and a $115 parking fine.
What if?
You can’t resist a vacant parking space, even if the space is first in line. Here’s what Larry has to say about that:
An ounce of evidence will beat a $115 parking fine
Larry B
But I strongly suggest that you secure your ounce of evidence before going about your business. that means:
- Take a time/dated photo of your car in the parking space. Make sure that the photo/photos include the plate number, and
- Likewise, include some “important landmarks.”
- See the two images below for the “important landmarks.”
- The purpose of photos with landmarks is to allow a driver to return to the area to measure the distance between the front or rear of their car and the fire hydrant (Or if you are prescient and keep a tape measure in your car, please measure the distance and include the measurement in a photo).
- However, if you can’t take the photos before going about your business, and find a parking ticket upon your return, do not, I repeat, do not move your car before taking photos.
- Remember, without time/dated photos showing your parking space (with landmarks); a judge will not accept your pinky swear that you parked legally.
Here’s a “preventive” photo to take before going about your business
Make sure to include the following:
Check for parking signs in front and to the rear of your car
Our great friend Joe thought he had found an unrestricted parking space because it was right behind a parking sign that allowed parking for two hours. But what did Joe forget? That’s right, he did not check for a restricted parking sign with an arrow pointing to his space or a fire hydrant to the rear of his car.
Sadly, in Joe’s case, the absence of prevention cost him a whopping $115.
Commentary
There are three vital steps to secure a victory against the Evil Empire, as follows:
- Prevention-learn the laws, rules, and customs.
- Photos-After getting an unjust parking ticket, secure your evidence before moving your car.
- Fight-When you’re right, fight. Likewise, present the proper proof properly.
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If, despite learning the fire hydrant rule and parking more than 15 feet away, a rogue warrior still gave you a ticket. But the good news is that you secured your evidence and are ready to prepare the proper proof to beat the ticket.
Well, here’s another ounce of prevention to avoid some common mistakes, “Common Mistakes in Fighting an NYC Fire Hydrant Violation and How to Fix Them.” This is a great guide and will make you “Fire Hydrant Strong.”
Click the button below and make NYC safe from unjust fire hydrant tickets.
Hi Larry,
Great job on the site!!!!
Question: I live on 85th street between York Ave and 1st Ave in Manhattan ….A third of the block was used for Citi Bikes until six months ago when they moved them all to 85th and East End/York because of outgoing construction. During construction they put up a No Parking anytime sign. The construction finished two months ago yet the sign remains. Seven or Eight parking spots are now not available because there is a No Parking sign for no reason. Who in the city can I send this to that can do something about this?
Thanks
Hi Eric,
Good afternoon.
Thank you for your kind comment. It means a lot to me.
What a pain!
Meanwhile, I would file a street sign complaint. Here’s a link.
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry