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|  Frequently Asked Questions Traffic Enforcement, Parking Tickets, Parking Meters And Towed Vehicle information |  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Q: Do the traffic agents who issue parking tickets and direct traffic report to DOT or the Police Department?
A: Traffic enforcement agents are employees of the Police Department. If you have any questions about police policies or procedures in enforcing traffic regulations or issuing tickets, you can contact the Traffic Control Division.
Q: How do I pay a parking ticket? How do I appeal a parking ticket that I think was wrongly issued?
A: Parking tickets are adjudicated by the Parking Violations Operations unit of the Department of Finance. Read the instructions on the back of the ticket for information on how to pay or on how to file an appeal.
Q: What do I do if my car has been towed?
A: Tow pounds are operated by the Police Department.
Q: I received a ticket at a broken parking meter. How can I get the ticket dismissed and report the meter for repair?
A: Call 311. Our field inspectors will make any necessary repairs, and the information will be entered into our computerized system. Follow the instructions on the back of the summons for filing an appeal with the Department of Finance Parking Violations Operations (PVO) unit, which adjudicates summonses. The PVO will check our computer system to verify whether the parking meter was broken.
Q: Can I park at a broken meter or at a space where the meter is missing?
A: If a meter is broken, you can park for a maximum of one hour, even if the posted sign is for a longer time period. If the meter is missing, you can park for the maximum amount of time posted on the signs.
Q: How do I apply for a long-term parking permit at a municipal garage or parking lot?
A: Call 311.
Q: How do I use the muni-meters or single space meters?
A: See information on how to use both "Pay and Display," "Pay and Retain," and "Single Space" meters.
Q: What is a NYC Parking Card?
A: This is a pre-paid card that can be used to pay for parking. Insert the card in the meter and deduct the amount you need to pay for parking. Every time you use the Parking Card, your new balance will be displayed. You can use the card until the original value purchased is exhausted.
Q: What NYC Parking Card denominations are available?
A: The cards are available in $20, $50 and $100 denominations.
Q: Where can the NYC Parking Card be used?
A:The cards can be used in all municipal fields, all Muni-Meter machines and in some electronic single space meters in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.
Q: What are Muni-Meters?
A: They are meters that control many spaces. They are larger than the regular (single space) meters and they accept quarters, dollar coins and Parking Cards. They are in all off-street parking fields, most street blocks in mid-town Manhattan, and other areas throughout the city. Easy to follow instructions on how to use the Muni-Meter are posted on the machine.
Q: How can I buy a Parking Card?
A: You can buy a NYC Parking Card in the following ways:
Q: How can I get an application?
A: Applications can be printed (pdf) or you can call (718) 786-7042 or (718) 786-6334 to get an application via fax.
Q: How long does the NYC Parking Card last?
A: Parking Cards do not expire and they are valid until the card balance is exhausted. Cards can be damaged if mistreated. Avoid exposure to high temperatures (leaving the card on the dashboard under a hot sun) and keep cards dry. Do not bend the card, peel away the protective coating or scratch the card chip with sharp objects. Cards are valuable; treat your card as you would treat your cash.
Q: Can I get a refund if my NYC Parking Card is lost, stolen or damaged?
A:The City of New York is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged cards. Each Parking Card is thoroughly tested to ensure that it is operational and the dollar amount accurate before it is issued.
Q: What can I do if the remaining balance on my NYC Parking Card is less than what I need for parking?
A: When a Parking Card has a remaining value lower than what is needed for parking, the card value can be combined with cash for any transaction by following these steps:
Q: What is the difference between Pay-N-Display and Pay-N-Retain?
A: After you pay for parking, Muni-Meter machines will issue a receipt indicating the time purchased to park at that location. In Pay-N-Display facilities, display the receipt on your vehicle’s dashboard, so that enforcement officers will easily be able to see the parking expiration time. In Pay-N-Retain facilities, officers retrieve data directly from the machines, so that you should retain the receipt as proof of payment as well as a reminder of when you need to return.
Q: My Parking Card is not working. What can I do?
A: Infrequently, grease or other materials can interfere with the communication between the card and the machine. If this should occur, clean the gold colored chip that is embedded in your Parking Card, and try again. If that doesn’t work, try a different machine. If you are still having problems, call (718) 786-7042 or (718) 786-6334 for assistance.
Q: What do I do if the meter is not working?
A: To report a broken meter, please call 311. If you are parked on a street that uses Muni-Meters, please use another meter to obtain your receipt. If you are parked at a single space meter, you may park at the location for one hour only.
Q: What do I do with my NYC Parking Card after it is used? Can it be refilled?
A: Cards can not be refilled at this time. Dispose of these cards properly in trash receptacles.
Q: Can I speak to someone about Parking Cards?
A: Personnel are available during standard business hours to discuss Parking Card issues, and may be contacted by calling (718) 786-7042 or (718) 786-6334. If you are transferred to voice mail, please leave a message and your call will be returned.
Q: Do I have to pay at parking meters on Sundays?
A: In accordance with legislation enacted by the City Council, beginning Sunday, November 13, 2005, parking meters and muni-meters no longer have to be paid on Sundays. The Department of Transportation is in the process of changing signs throughout the city to reflect this new parking rule but it will take some time before the thousands of parking signs can be updated. Despite what is stated on these signs, motorists can park at meters on Sundays without paying.
Q: Can I Use Credit Cards in Parking Meters?
A: DOT is accepting credit cards at over 500 muni-meters in the midtown Theater District area of Manhattan. In this area, 3rd Ave to 8th Ave (East/West) from 57th to 43rd Streets (North/South) you can now use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Network cards to pay for parking without an additional fee or minimum. These meters will continue to accept payment by quarter, dollar coin or NYC Parking Card. Look for the credit card logo on the meters in this area for acceptance.
Other locations where credit cards can be used are being added.
Parking in a School Zone
Parking is allowed in school zones when school is in recess. However, motorists should be aware that specific schools may be open on holidays and during summer vacations, and parking restrictions would remain in effect. If schools have summer sessions or are open for teacher meetings or similar activities, even if students are not attending, the parking regulations apply on such days. Individuals should contact specific schools to verify that they are in recess.
Most SCR signs are clearly marked with the "P" symbol with the broom through it. Some SCR signs are the traditional 3-hour ones (8am to 11am etc.) but others vary considerably.
"No Parking" street cleaning rules are suspended in parking meter zones during the street cleaning hours on the 34 holidays when other street cleaning rules are suspended; however, the metered parking itself, as well as all other regulations not suspended on those days, remain in effect.
At a broken meter parking is allowed only up to one hour (60 minutes). Where a meter is missing, parking is still allowed for the maximum time on the posted sign. (An hour for a 1-hour meter, 2 hours for a 2-hour meter, etc.). If all the meters are broken the driver shall follow the rules pertaining to broken or missing regular street meters as stated here.
"No Parking" street cleaning rules are suspended in parking meter zones during the street cleaning hours on holidays when other street cleaning rules are suspended. The metered parking itself, as well as all other regulations not suspended on those days, remain in effect on most holidays; however, on major legal holidays, meter rules are suspended. The calendar below lists all the holidays when alternate side rules are suspended and highlights the major legal holidays.
See information on metered parking for commercial vehicles in midtown Manhattan.
New York City Traffic Rules state that one sign per block is sufficient. Please check the entire block and read all signs carefully before you park.
If there is more than one sign posted for the same area, the more restrictive one is the one in effect. If a sign is missing on a block, the remaining posted regulations are the ones that are in effect.
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