Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Lawrence Berezin
Have you gotten a parking ticket in a truck-loading-only area?
Once upon a time, a long time ago (2013), the good witch of Parking Ticket Land convinced the powers that it was time to simplify NYC parking signs, including the No Standing Except Trucks Loading and Unloading sign. The result was an announcement from the DOT:
New York City’s Transportation Department said it was replacing over 6,000 parking signs with an easier-to-follow alternative, creating ‘more breathing room’ (white space), eliminating a color (sorry, blue), and reducing the number of characters needed to explain the rules to a Twitter-friendly 140 (from 250).
But what about the iconic No Standing Except Trucks Loading and Unloading sign? Did it get a facelift? And, was the facelift effective?
We are introducing the redesigned, No Standing Except Trucks and Unloading sign.
Here’s the old, disorienting sign:
Here’s the new sign:
All you see are the three little words, Truck Loading Only.
But what you don’t see is:
-It is a no-standing sign, which means you can stop temporarily to expeditiously drop off or pick up passengers to or from the curb and then leave immediately. But you cannot load or unload property (like your groceries) in a no-standing zone.
-Since the above sign doesn’t display days and hours, the truck loading-only rule is in effect all days and all hours
Here’s the Rule
(k) Special rules for commercial vehicles.
(2) No standing except for trucks loading and unloading.
Where a posted sign reads “No Standing Except Trucks Loading and Unloading” or [“Truck Loading Only”], no vehicle except a commercial vehicle or a service vehicle as defined in §4-01(b) of these rules, may stand or park in that area, for the purpose of expeditiously making pickups, deliveries or service calls, and except that in the area from 35th St. to 41st St., Avenue of the Americas to 8th Avenue, inclusive, in the Borough of Manhattan, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., no vehicle except a truck as defined in §4-13(a)(1) of these rules may stand or park for the purpose of expeditiously making pickups, deliveries, or service calls
The DOT made a “huge” mistake.
The DOT did a great job of eliminating many words on the old No Standing Except Trucks Loading and Unloading sign to get down to a three-word sign, “Truck Loading Only.” But, they forgot to amend the rule to match the new slimmer version of the sign.
The language limited the rule to SIGNS THAT READ, “No Standing Except Trucks Loading and Unloading.” The redesigned signs only displayed those three little words, “Truck Loading Only.” Ergo, the redesigned sign didn’t match the language in the rule and was neutered.
I fought many Truck Loading Only parking tickets and based my defense on the fact that the language on the redesigned sign did not match the rule and, therefore, was unenforceable. Yay! That lasted for about one year until the DOT got wise and amended the rule to add those three little words, “Truck Loading Only.” Currently, the redesigned sign matches the amended rule, and things were copacetic in Parking Ticket Land.
How about that!
The takeaway is that it pays to read the rule when preparing to dispute a parking ticket.
Here’s another story
An outstanding doctor client pulled into a parking space regulated by a truck-loading-only sign across the street from the hospital. The doctor’s parking rule is in effect across the street from a hospital and permits parking in no-parking areas. But, it prohibits parking in no-standing areas.
The redesigned truck loading-only sign did not alert the doctor that it was a no-standing sign, and guess what? Our wonderful doctor friend got a parking ticket.
Fair or foul? Should the Evil Empire reasonably expect a driver to know that a truck-loading-only sign is a no-standing sign?
We fought the ticket. I’ll let you know the result when I get the news.
Commentary
I recommend that when you get a parking ticket and decide to fight the good fight, read the rule [a reference to 4-08 ( )( )]. The wording of the rule may help you figure out a winning defense.
Park safely.
Regards,
Larry
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Yes, it allows the truck at 2pm Monday but there may not be room for the truck because everyone is allowed to park there then.
I also just got “DOCTOR LICENSE PLATES ONLY” ticket. But the agent put the “authorized vehicle” law, not the “dedicated use law.” I am trying to argue on those grounds that the incorrect law was noted. You think I have a chance?
Dear Honorable Judge,
I plead not guilty to violation ########## on the following grounds:
The summons cites an inapplicable NYC Traffic Rule for the location indicated, and therefore does not contain a valid violation code reference, a required element for a valid summons.
The summons states that parking at the location ****** is restricted by NYC Parking Rule 4.08(c)(4) “NO STANDING-EXEC. AUTH. VEHICLE.” However, the only parking restrictions indicated at the location is “DOCTORS LICENSE PLATES ONLY”, regulated by NYC parking Rule 4.08(a)(3)(i):
4.08(a)(3)(i) “Dedicated use signs. Standing is prohibited when a dedicated use is specified by a sign, including but not limited to the following curb regulations: …Doctor License Plates Only…”
There is no signage at the location indicating “No Standing Except Authorized Vehicles” or “Authorized Vehicles Only” which is the signage required by the incorrectly cited regulation 4.08(c)(4)
4.08(c)(4) “Authorized vehicles. Except as provided in paragraph (8) of this subdivision, where a posted sign reads “No Standing Except Authorized Vehicles” or “Authorized Vehicles Only”, no vehicles, except those designated by such sign, may stand or park in that area.”
Evidence:
In support of my contention, I present the following evidence:
1. The NYC DOT map (EXHIBIT A) shows that at the location indicated on the north side of ***** Road, starting 35 feet and ending 164 feet west of ***** St, the signage indicated a dedicated use area “DOCTORS LICENSE PLATES ONLY.” There is no authorized vehicles signage.
2. This is further supported by the comments of the issuing agent indicating that the sign reads “DOCTORS LICENSE PLATES ONLY,” language only present in the dedicated use law.
3. Finally, current, time and date stamped photos (EXHIBIT B) confirm the accuracy of the NYC DOT map.
In summary, the summons incorrectly states and conflates the applicable NYC parking regulations at the location cited. The summons does not contain a coherent description of the law allegedly violated, a required element for a valid summons. I request that the summons be dismissed on those grounds.
Thank you,
I wrote “violation code” but meant “violation rule.” Also it’s the NYC traffic rules, not NYC parking rules lol.
Nope they didn’t accept the defense. They didn’t explain why – I appealed and got a one sentence illegible decision. I’m not complaining though I totally deserved that ticket but not sure why the defense isn’t correct.
what about on parking holidays, such as president’s day?
Hi, Steven,
Good morning.
Presidents Day is only a “legal” parking holiday in NYC. Our only benefit is the suspension of alternate side parking rules.
But, you still have to obey all parking signs on Presidents Day.
Good luck.
Park safely.
Regards,
Larry
Thank you Larry for all the valuable information – even though I’m a born and raised NY’er – the signs and rules are daunting.
I called 311 regarding President’s day and checked every government site for a clear answer, and they simple won’t say outright no: “we can’t advise, just state what the sign says”. However they will say all schools and government offices are closed (including the PVB and DOT).
In short, you’re correct!
Although not one delivery truck insight nor any NYC DOT agents to issue a ticket to any of the dozen cars parked in “violation” – what a farce.
Hi GNLHA,
Thanks for the kind comment. It is my pleasure!
We miss you so, please visit.
Be safe.
Regards,
Larry
I am having trouble finding the actual time limit to park in Truck Loading/Unloading spots, besides “expeditious”. One of our drivers was in a meeting (service call) and came out to a ticket. The complainant listed “no activity,” and entered “30 min” in the limit box. I am trying to find proof that this is the limit for these spots before I try to dispute the ticket.
Thank you,
Eric
Hi, Eric,
Good afternoon.
I’m sorry but I don’t know the answer to your excellent question. Generally, once you take longer than 30 minutes to load or unload your truck, you have to explain why it took so long. I would check with a parking ticket service that specializes in parking commercial vehicles. I would check with Citywide
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
Thank you for the response, Larry. This site is very helpful. I’ve been able to get several tickets dismissed with the info from this site.
Eric,
My pleasure!
Regards,
Larry