How to Dispute a Parking Ticket

Parking tickets are a hassle, especially if you live in a city with unclear or plenty of parking restrictions. Sadly, you have 1 in 5 chances of receiving a traffic ticket in a given year. But if you believe that the ticket is unfair or unlawful, you can dispute it. DoNotPay can help you saving you from trouble. DoNotPay is an automated chatbot that helps people make the best case possible for voiding or otherwise not paying the ticket. It works across all cities and can help you dispute:

Do I Have to Hire an Attorney to Contest Parking Tickets?

You don't really need a lawyer to. The dispute process is straightforward, mainly if you use our app. But if you're considering bringing in a lawyer, then here are a few things to keep in mind:

Identify several lawyers: Lawyers aren't created equally, so you can't just settle for the first option that comes your way. Do your research, ask for references and compare several options head to head to find the best lawyer.
Experience: Again, lawyers specialize in different fields – like family law, corporate law, traffic law, etc. A divorce lawyer will not offer the same level of service as a traffic lawyer regarding parking violations. As such, you need to pay close attention to the lawyer's expertise and specialization. It's an added advantage if they've been in business for many years.
Costs: Hiring a lawyer is a costly endeavor. In fact, it can be even more expensive than the fine you're contesting.

Reasons to Dispute a Parking Ticket

There are several reasons to dispute a parking ticket. Here are some examples:

Unclear road markings or parking sign
You were parked correctly
Tickets containing factual errors
You were charged too much
Your car broke down
Emergencies
Transferred vehicle – like if you gifted or sold the vehicle before the ticket issuance
Lost or stolen plates

What Happens if I Don't Pay My Ticket?

There's no hard and fast rule of what will happen if you fail to pay your ticket, as it varies by state and city. But while you may not face jail time, you could still be subject to other potential issues like:

Accruing penalty fees. For example, in NYC, if you don't pay parking tickets for over 90 days, you could get up to $60 added to your ticket. In California, you could get a civil assessment of $300.
Your car could get towed or booted: An unpaid ticket can get your car towed or booted even if you're legally parked. The DC's Department of Motor Vehicles notes that a car can be booted for two or more outstanding parking tickets. This number may vary, but it shows that you don't need many unpaid tickets for this to happen.
You could lose your car: Some states will possess your car and hold an auction of it to recover the fines.
You may end up in a collection agency: This means unending phone calls, letters, and even home visits.
A dent in your credit score: The Parking Violations Bureau can report your tickets to a credit bureau, thereby crippling your ability to rent a house, buy a home, or even get a job.

Steps for Disputing a Parking Infraction

In many cases, the instructions for disputing or paying are listed on the ticket. If not, you'll always find a website or phone number to call.

Administrative Review

Here's where you explain why you shouldn't have gotten citations and any evidence. You can do this through:

Phone	Call the ticketing number on the back of the ticket as soon as possible to dispute the ticket. You'll get a chance to explain your case, albeit briefly.
Mail	You can also fight the ticket by mail, as long as it's within 20 days (may vary from state to state) of receiving a ticket.
In-person	Alternatively, you can fight in person by going to your local enforcement authority.

Administrative Hearing

If the investigator deems your dispute valid, you can file a grievance complaint with the assessing jurisdiction, i.e. the county, town, or city that issued the ticket. Bring all supporting evidence, including photos and documents.

Appeal

Then you can file an appeal requesting a hearing. A judge will evaluate your case and determine the ticket's validity and whether or not you'll need to pay.

Should I Pay or Dispute My Ticket?

Disputing your ticket can be a great way to void or reduce parking ticket fines. However, paying might seem a lot easier if you consider the work that goes into parking tickets dispute. But paying a ticket can also be complicated unless you're doing it online. Luckily, you don't have to choose either. DoNotPay can generate the best possible defense for your case and pay the ticket for you. With our help, you won't waste time, money, and energy dealing with parking tickets.

Contest Parking Tickets in Less Than Seconds

DoNotPay has successfully beaten over 200,000 tickets, and yours can be next. According to Money.com, the bot recorded 160,000 victories in 250,000 attempts within 21 months. This astonishing 64% win rate saves clients lots of money in tickets and fees. Here's how to get started:

Log-in to DoNotPay and find the Parking Tickets product.
Upload a photo of your parking ticket.
Provide us with some details on why you believe the parking ticket is a mistake.
Select whether or not you want the letter mailed to the traffic ticket issuer on your behalf!
That's it! You'll receive an appeal letter that contains state vehicle codes to boost your case.