You surely learned in elementary school how a tiny lie may quickly escalate into a big untruth. The only way to solve it is to do the right thing and disclose the truth before the problem becomes too large to handle. Parking ticket fines follow the same principle: if you don’t do the right thing and take care of it, the penalties will grow larger and more severe. Those tickets you’d find under your windshield wipers indicate that you’ve parked illegally. The reason for the ticket may not be obvious at first, but after reading it, all becomes clear. This article examines the consequences of failing to pay a parking ticket and the consequences of just ignoring charges. What Happens When You Don’t Pay A Parking Ticket?
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Parking Tickets?
Unpaid tickets may result in more than a fine. This won’t affect your insurance or driving record. Unpaid parking tickets vary by state. Some add a late fee and interest to the ticket price. Others may be fined. Late parking ticket payments in California cost $300.
Unpaid parking tickets can also lead to:
Booted automobile
Law enforcement regularly looks for automobiles with unpaid ticket balances since the DMV has license plate information. Tow or boot these vehicles to prevent use. If you have tickets, they may boot your car even if it’s parked legally. More unpaid fines increase this likelihood. State-by-state requirements vary for car boots.
Towing and auto seizure
If you have many parking tickets and an unpaid fee, your car will be towed and transported to an impound lot. Some jurisdictions even sell the car at auction to make payment for the fines that they owe. Naturally, this leaves you without a vehicle, and avoiding the parking charge no longer seems so clever. This usually occurs after four to five parking citations have been issued.
The affliction of your credit score
While a single parking ticket will not affect your credit score, a succession of unpaid tickets can. When a credit card firm or a bank gets involved in delinquent parking ticket payments, this is what happens. At this time, debt collectors may become engaged.
Driver’s License suspension
In addition to the threat of losing your car, an unpaid ticket might result in the loss of your driver’s license. This is seldom the case for a single parking ticket because some states, such as California, prohibit it. When the unpaid parking penalty is combined with traffic infractions, a license suspension is warranted.
Insurance prices rise
Your insurance rates will not rise because of a single parking violation. Unpaid parking citations, on the other hand, might cause insurance rates to rise.
Denial of registration renewal
If you go to your state’s DMV to renew your car registration and owe unpaid parking tickets, they will likely deny your request.
If you’ve avoided parking charges for a while, the city may withhold fines from your tax refund.
Dealing with debt collectors
Until the ticket(s) are paid, law enforcement may send debt collectors to you. Debt collectors are known for making repeated phone calls and sometimes showing up at your home. Dealing with it can be a nightmare.
Conclusion
Parking tickets might be irritating, but they’re doing if you follow the rules. If you miss one of these procedures, contact the authorities handling the parking ticket. They can inform you how to settle the matter.
Burying your head only makes the problem worse. Negotiate not paying immediately. Each department concerned wants the parking fine paid.
Frequently Ask Questions
- 1. What happens if I don’t pay my parking ticket in my neighborhood?
Because the parking enforcement bureau in your city does not want to deal with you indefinitely, it may refer your case to a collection agency. Debt collectors may send you letters, make phone calls to your office or cell phone, or even visit you at your home.
- 2. What is the best justification for contesting a parking ticket?
- You were properly parked.
- There were no obvious parking signs or road markings.
- There was no way to make a payment
- You’ve been overcharged
- When the ticket was issued, you weren’t driving.
- You were unable to return to your vehicle
- Your vehicle broke down
- It was just a matter of time before you ran out of time.
- 3. What happens if you fail to pay a parking ticket?
If you do not pay or contest your traffic fine by the due date, and you do not appear in court to present your case, a warrant for your arrest will be issued automatically when the case is brought to court. Don’t be caught off guard; instead, use Check Traffic Fines to keep track of your fines.
