how bad is an unpaid parking ticket?

Anthony Moore · 01-24-2004, 10:17 AM

I got a parking ticket about a month ago and just havent paid it.

I plan on paying it shortly, but what would happen if I didnt? Would they just keep sending me notices? Is it something they can send to a collection agency?

Anyone have any first hand experience or just know what will eventually happen?

Kirk Gunn · 01-24-2004, 10:37 AM

Depending on the aggressiveness of the local authorities, you may have a boot on your car the next time it is observed. At a minimum I expect you will not be able to renew your driver's license or car registration.

My town has a wacky new parking system. The cops walk around with wireless PDAs with thermal printers. All they do is type in your registration number and the ticket spits out. They can write literally a hundred tickets per hour ! And if you don't pay the fine THAT day at a drop-off center across town, the fine increases dramatically. Quite the racket.....

nolesrule · 01-24-2004, 10:40 AM

Not only could it cause what Kirk said, but watch out for the late payment fee too.

Mark Shannon · 01-24-2004, 10:45 AM

They could probably send it to a collection agency, which in turn would only do bad things for your credit. Of course, you could always try to fight the ticket, but you'll never win.

Grant B · 01-24-2004, 01:21 PM

Parking tickets in san Francisco are a common occurance - a way to increase revenue without a vote.
Usually a boot or getting towed is over a certain amount, I think $800 now. I had 2 roommates who got towed - each owed over $1000.
You can always contest it

**HTF Ads**

Holadem · 01-24-2004, 02:21 PM

My car was towed in NYC 6 months ago because of three unpaid parking tickets incurred in early 2002.

I basically walked out in the morning and did not find the car where I had parked it the night before. I walked around the neighorhood for almost an hour, wondering if I wasn't just mis-remembering the spot. I didn't want to believe that it was stolen - who the heck would want to take that over much nicer cars on the block? In a bitter twist of irony, there was a car exactly like mine, parked 2 blocks over, at the exact same spot. I ended up going online to the DMV site and sure enough there was my number.

The tickets totaled little more than a hundred bucks. But with late charges and towing fees, it came out to more than $600.

How did they spot my car? Well, this Marshall drives around early in the morning dialing in every plate on the block. Who woulda thunk. Fucking asshole.

--
H

MartinTeller · 01-24-2004, 02:27 PM

I know... how dare they try to punish lawbreakers? What a bunch of pricks. Next thing you know they'll be arresting burgulars or something.

Grant B · 01-24-2004, 04:43 PM

Having cars towed in SF & NYC, the big apple wins bigtime.
Hell on Earth!

CaseyLS · 01-24-2004, 05:44 PM

I don't understand why people get pissed at parking tickets. I haven't ever gotten one for parking legally. People just need to be more responsible.

Grant B · 01-24-2004, 06:08 PM

People just need to be more responsible.

I am sure you drive around Manhattan Kansas for hours looking for places to park?
My wife sometimes get home at 1am from her job and drives around for another hour and parks in our drive way.
You get tickets for parking in your own driveway.$70
Every street has street cleaning for a 4 hour period, you forget where your car is parked. $50
Improperly setting your wheels on a grade; $70
Some streets have tow away zones starting at 7am; +$200

Last I heard parking was at 125% in my neighborhood
So 1 out of 5 will be ticketed
A garage would cost ~$500k to build

You figure it out