3 Valuable NYC Parking Ticket Tips You Ought to Know About

Last Updated on September 16, 2022 by Lawrence Berezin

Parking ticket tips are like get-out-of-jail-free cards

I got these parking ticket tips from the rules.

Firstly, I was dusting off my old “Compilation of the City of New York Rules.” And, I came across some parking ticket information you may wish to know.

Above all, I suggest you learn ’em, grasshopper. They will save you a bunch of bucks (and I’m not talking Bitcoin).

Do I have to worry about a paper or temporary NYC parking sign?

Yes, if an authorized law enforcement agency posted the paper or temporary sign. Moreover, paper or temporary signs supersede all posted rules for the days and times specified on the paper or temporary signs.

How I Beat Tickets for Violating Temporary Parking Restrictions

Being ambushed by temporary parking restrictions are a driver’s nightmare. Here’s how to beat them.

You can’t make this stuff up.

How many ways can a warrior describe the “place of occurrence?”

That is to say, there are three ways to describe a place of occurrence:

1. Front
2. Opposite
3. Metes and Bounds (For example, S/W side of 152nd Street, 50 feet east of Convent Avenue*)

Metes and Bounds means in the above example

“The Southwest side of 152nd Street, 50 feet east of Convent Avenue. “

To clarify, I urge my fellow members of the NYC driving public to never, ever assume this “buried treasure” map type of description is accurate. Always check the NYC DOT Parking Regulations Map to verify the accuracy of the location.

For example, the description is inaccurate because the distance from the corner inserted on the parking ticket was wrong, or the Southwest side is really the Northeast side, etc. 

If a Warrior misdescribed the place of occurrence, a judge will dismiss your parking ticket

My vehicle can be immobilized and towed?

YUP.  Here’s another valuable parking tip. The parking rules permit the immobilization of any illegally parked vehicle anywhere in NYC. But, only in a manner that does not damage the vehicle. Notice of immobilization is required to be placed in a conspicuous place on the vehicle. The notice must include:

1. a warning that any attempt to move the vehicle may result in damage to the vehicle; and
2. the time, place, and manner in which the  vehicle may be redeemed”

The good news is, if any news can be considered good news under these circumstances, you may secure the release of a vehicle that has not yet been removed to a tow pound upon payment of an immobilization fee of $185. In addition, you must satisfy all parking summonses in judgment to secure the release of your immobilized vehicle.

If your vehicle has been immobilized and towed, you are inflicted with double pain.

You owe the immobilization fee AND  the tow fee.

However, you have the absolute right to request the tow operator to release a vehicle hooked up to the tow truck if you arrive at the scene of the parking crime before the tow truck is in motion. The person must make the request lawfully entitled to possession of the vehicle. The person must execute a binding agreement to pay the vehicle release penalty outlined in the parking rules within 30 days of the execution of the agreement.

In addition, the person seeking the release of the vehicle from “captain hook” must:

1. Present a current, valid driver’s license; and,
2. Either registration for the vehicle, title, insurance identification; and,
3. The keys to the vehicle

In the case of a commercial vehicle

Above all, the driver must present company identification and the keys. In the case of a rental car, you must present a copy of the rental agreement and keys.

Most importantly, a tow operator cannot ask you to pay a release fee in cash at the time of un-hooking. The rules require you to execute an agreement to pay within 30 days!?