Addressing you summons Parking tickets must be addressed, whether you are paying or defending in 30 days from the date the summons was issued. In 120 days a default judgment is filed and your car may be towed. You can defend your summons by mail via the Hearing By Mail Unit. If pleading innocent, send your defense to: NYC Department of Finance, P.O. 2070, Peck Slip Station, NY, NY 10272-2070. To plead guilty (which includes payment), send to: NYC Department of Finance, P.O. 2127, Peck Slip Station, NY, NY 10272-2127. In either case when sending your correspondence, always keep a copy of the ticket and any evidence you may be submitting as well. Send everything certified return receipt from the post office so that you have proof of delivery. Bus Stop, Parking at a It is not "illegal" to park at a bus stop pursuant to Section 4-08 c, 3 of the NYC Traffic Rules (No Standing-Bus Stop). "The operator of a vehicle may temporarily stand for the purpose of expeditiously receiving and discharging passengers, provided that such standing does not interfere with any bus." Clergy Permits Members of the Clergy can apply for a special permit directly from the Department of Transportation. You must be able to provide information substantiating the fact that this is your primary profession and proof of "house of worship" location. You can call the DOT at 718-433-3100, press #1. top What is a Commercial Vehicle? In NYC, a vehicle (non-truck) with commercial plates must have the rear seat fittings removed and the name of the business in 3" letters on the doors. A vehicle shall be deemed a commercial vehicle or truck pursuant to Section 4-01 b, 3, of the NYC TRR if it: 1. bears commercial plates; 2. has all seats and seat fittings, except the front seats, removed to facilitate the transportation of property, and 3. displays the registrant's name and address permanently affixed in characters at least three (3) inches high on both sides of the vehicle, with such display being in a color contrasting with that of the vehicle and placed approximately midway vertically on doors or side panels. A pickup truck, in contrast to a truck, to qualify for passenger plates must have permanently installed seats or a living area in the cargo area and a permanently installed cap. If a pickup does not comply with these structural modifications, then it must be considered, by NYS standards, a commercial vehicle. top Parking a Commercial Vehicle On private property you may park any vehicle overnight or anytime. However, you may not park a commercial vehicle between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. on a residential street, unless you are actively engaged in a business activity, pursuant to section 4-09, k of the NYC Traffic Rules. top Crosswalk Firstly, there does not need to be any markings to indicate a crosswalk, pursuant to Section 4-01 b, 5. A crosswalk is defined as "The part of the roadway, whether marked or unmarked, which is included within the extensions of the sidewalk lines between opposite sides of the roadway at an intersection." What this means is, if you are parked past the property line, you are in the crosswalk, lines or no lines. However, for a crosswalk to exist, there needs to be a corner to walk across. If not, the crosswalk is really not a crosswalk. The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law states pursuant to Section 1202, 2, e, "...No person shall...Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge passengers...Alongside or obstructing a curb area which has been cut down, lowered or constructed so as to provide accessibility to the sidewalk." top Disabled Vehicle A disabled vehicle is an acceptable defense for a parking ticket. However, you must show two key pieces of evidence to prove your case: the tow receipt and the repair receipt. top Double Parking There is no defense for a double park, even if it's for a minute, for any reason. Even during Street Cleaning Regulations. top Equipment Violations An equipment violation is a status violation summons and not a parking summons. Window Obstructions: It is unlawful to obstruct the view of any window in your vehicle because so will create an unsafe condition. See Section 375 (1) of the VTL. The use or placing of posters or stickers on windshields or rear windows of motor vehicles other than those authorized by the commissioner of motor vehicles, is hereby prohibited." top Fire Hydrants The minimum distance is fifteen (15) feet on both sides of the hydrant pursuant to Section 4-08, e, 2 (regardless of the painted yellow lines). top Vehicles with New York State handicapped permits are required to obey all traffic and parking regulations just like all other vehicles with regular passenger plates. A valid NYC Parking Permit for People with Disabilities (PPPD) allows motorists to park at a parking meter without depositing a coin. The New York State Permit does not allow City motorists to park at a parking meter without depositing a coin. The New York State handicap license plate and state permit (the blue plastic hanger, NYS Parking Permit for People with Disabilities, PPPD) entitles a motorist with the same privileges to park in New York City as in the rest of the state. They both (the plate and hanger) allow the driver to park in marked handicap spaces as long as the permit holder is traveling in the car. In New York City, these spaces are located in off-street parking facilities, such as garages and lots. An important advantage of having the permit over the plate is that the permit can be moved to different plates when the permit holder uses another vehicle, whereas the plate cannot. In New York City, the PPPD is issued and administrated locally by the New York City Department of Transportation, whereas the license plate is issued by New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Neither the license plate nor permit is recognized on New York City streets. The only permit that allows parking on City streets is the Special Parking Identification (SPI) Permit issued by the Department of Transportation. The SPIP allows for onstreet parking at most City curbsides including: "No Parking" zones (except for taxi stands), "No Parking" or "No Standing" spaces which are authorized for doctors, diplomats, the press and government agencies, and at parking meters without depositing a coin. SPIP holders may not park in "No Stopping" or "No Standing" zones other than those mentioned above, in front of fire hydrants or in bus stops, except for the expeditious discharging and receiving of passengers. For applications of the state and/or city permits call the Department of Transportation at 718-433-3100, press #11. top Moving Violations Moving violations are based on police officer testimony. Police officers are the witnesses for the government's case. In parking violations, the summons itself is the basis for the government's case. The best way to avoid speeding tickets is not to speed in the first place. Personal Service pursuant to Section 238.2A of the NYS VTL, a Traffic Agent must provide personal service if you are present and with your vehicle. Personal service is to ask you for identification and hand the summons to you directly. top Plastic License Plate Covers Plate Covers Code 74 is a violation of "Missing or improperly displayed plate." Pursuant to Section 402 of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law "...Plates shall be kept clean and in a condition so as to be easily readable and shall not be covered by glass or any plastic material, and the view thereof shall not be obstructed by any part of the vehicle or by anything carried thereon." top Vehicle Status Violations A status violation summons is not a parking summons. Missing or invalid display of a Registration sticker, or an expired Vehicle Inspection sticker are all status violations. There is no defense for a status violation. Summonses for plastic license plate covers are also status violations. top Two Tickets Written For The Same Violation Within The Same Hour In general, Administrative Law Judges employ the "one-hour rule" and dismiss the second ticket when two tickets are issued for the same violation. However, it is perfectly legal for Traffic Enforcement Agents to write as many tickets as long as you are illegally parked. top