Although they are undoubtedly annoying and frustrating to receive, parking tickets are a common occurrence for almost all drivers. Returning to your car to find a parking ticket waiting for you is always an unpleasant experience, whether you unintentionally parked in a no-parking zone or neglected to refill the meter. There are numerous negative repercussions that might result from failing to pay your parking tickets. You might wonder ‘Do I have to pay parking tickets?’ No, you don’t! But there are some of the potential consequences of failing to pay or not paying on time:
Fines and Penalties
Fines and penalties are some of the most obvious effects of unpaid parking tickets, which is why paying on time is essential to avoid additional costs. For instance, a $50 ticket could increase to $100 after 30 days, and then rise to $150 or more if ignored further. If you forget to pay a parking ticket, it can get bigger and you might get hit with other additional fees. Your driver's license can even be suspended in some circumstances until the fines are paid.
Tow and Impoundment
Your vehicle could be towed and confiscated if you accumulate a number of unpaid parking tickets. Even if you are currently parked lawfully, this might still occur in some cases. If your vehicle is impounded, you will also be responsible for the towing and storage costs in order to retrieve it, in addition to reconciling all of your outstanding parking tickets.
Booting
Your automobile may be "booted" in some places if you have unpaid parking tickets. This indicates that a device is fastened to the wheel of your vehicle in order to prevent you from leaving the scene until your penalties are paid. It can be difficult to have your automobile unbooted, and you might need to wait for a city official to arrive and take the device away.
Legal Action
The city may file a lawsuit against you if you have several unpaid parking tickets and are not paying them or responding to notifications. To recover the debt, a lawsuit or wage garnishment may be necessary. Avoiding paying your parking fines might become quite expensive due to the legal expenses and court charges you can accrue.
Credit Damage
Your credit score may also be impacted by unpaid parking tickets. Your credit score might be lowered and it can be more challenging to get loans or credit in the future if the city or municipality where you got the ticket reports your past-due account to a credit bureau.
Arrest Warrant
In severe circumstances, if you have a number of unpaid parking tickets and do not pay them or react to reminders, a warrant for your arrest may be issued. Although unlikely, this is a possibility that might incur further penalties and costs for legal representation.
It's crucial to keep in mind that the penalties for not paying your parking tickets depend on where you reside and the laws in your community. Some localities could be more forgiving than others, but some might have stricter enforcement policies in place. To prevent any potential repercussions, it's always a good idea to pay your parking fines as soon as possible.
Good Excuses to Appeal a Parking Ticket
Parking tickets are a sight that no one wants to see when they return to their car after an errand or meal outside. The day might be ruined, but it is worth knowing that it is possible to make a formal appeal by contacting the local authorities who issued the ticket. Some reasons to appeal an unfairly issued parking ticket include if the individual was parking legally during the ten-minute grace period.
Similarly, the parking signs may be unclear, or the individual may not own the vehicle. There may also be mitigating circumstances that create an argument for an appeal. It is not guaranteed that the circumstances will be enough to win an appeal, but it is worth trying if an exceptional circumstance led the person to park illegally. Using solid evidence-backed reasons may also improve the chances of getting a successful appeal.
Unclear or Missing Signage
All car parks and roads with parking restrictions must have clear signs or road markings. Persons can appeal to cancel their tickets if they prove viewing the road markings or signs was impossible. Similarly, it is also a cause for appeal if the signs or markings are hard to read. Parking signs that are faded or hidden by foliage fall into this category.
It also applies to the signs that are confusing or misleading. If one decides there are sufficient grounds to appeal a ticket on this basis, one should gather as many relevant details as possible to support the claim. These may be in the form of photographs to show unclear road signs. Witness statements in the form of a letter from someone at the scene may also be utilized.
Malfunctioning Meter or Payment System
All parking meters must be in working condition for vehicle users. The same goes for the payment system. Occasionally, though, the meter or the system may malfunction, so unsuspecting parties will not be able to trust the meter reading, and it could result in an unfairly issued ticket. That is if the parking meter attendant did not take the time to ensure it was in working order before issuing the ticket.
It is also the same for parking payment systems. Sometimes, the system may indicate a payment has gone through, but that is not the case. Victims of both scenarios have a right to appeal a ticket if issued. That would be through evidence. Individuals are encouraged to include photos of the meter and where the vehicle was parked. They may also provide screenshots of a payment they allegedly made to the system. If someone witnessed the situation, they can write a statement to describe what happened.
Medical Emergency
It is possible to apply for an appeal of a parking ticket if one was involved in a medical emergency. That is, for example, if one of the passengers was in labor, having a heart attack, or having a medical issue that was life-changing. If that is the case, the person must include a formal letter from the attending health professional indicating why they parked in that fashion.
That entails the medical issue that caused the emergency and an explanation of why it was urgent. Applicants can also provide an emergency room receipt to confirm the claim.
Incorrect Ticket Details
It is possible to appeal a parking ticket if it contains incorrect information - wrong vehicle information, date, or time. These are grounds for the person served with the ticket to invalidate it. Should the ticket have the wrong information, one can apply for an appeal using a copy of the original ticket as evidence.
If the ticket was originally from a private organization, one may contact the issuer to ascertain how to challenge it. If the challenge is rejected, one can appeal to an independent service.
Temporary Vehicle Breakdown
If the car suddenly becomes disabled when parking, making it unable to move to a more appropriate space, it could be ticketed. Technically, it was parked illegally, but there is a potential defense if the applicant can prove that the car suddenly became immobile or was expeditiously removed from the location. If the available evidence can show that the vehicle issues were corrected within 24 hours following the ticketing, it can be grounds for dismissal.
Unavoidable Circumstances (e.g., Weather)
Unfortunately, severe weather is not a reason why traffic tickets are often dismissed. Even if one documents the weather conditions using photos or the local weather reports, it would have to be something close to an act of God for it to be given credence in traffic courts.
Do Parking Tickets Go on Your Record?
A parking ticket typically does not go on a person’s driving record because it does not reflect the individual’s ability. That said, they can affect the vehicle and the ability to renew the license or plate sticker. If they are not paid on time, parking tickets appear on the vehicle registration, which may lead to higher fines. In some jurisdictions, the vehicle can be towed and impounded until all fines and penalties have been cleared. They are eventually also sent to collections, which can affect one’s credit report and affect the person’s financial profile.
State-Specific Rules and Exceptions
Traffic tickets vary according to state, though one should note a few things. Chief among these is the possibility of getting a traffic ticket for minor driving offenses like speeding or running red lights. If one gets a ticket in another state, the home state will also be notified if that is where the driving license was obtained.
Regulations concerning unpaid tickets also depend on the state or the municipality. In Michigan, the person’s driving license may be suspended if they do not pay the ticket within 14 days of receiving the mail notification. In Tennessee, though, a default judgment is issued to increase the fine owed. However, in South Carolina, drivers may face a bench warrant for arrest or suspension of their driving privileges for unpaid tickets.
