Living
Traffic Fines & Offences
Speed limits are not well posted in New York City. Unless you are driving at an excessive speed, say over 60mph, you will most likely not be pulled over. Going through red lights, however, is a big no-no. There are red light cameras set up all over the city which will capture an image of you and your licence plate if you breeze through one. Also, making a right on a red light is illegal across the five boroughs and you will be ticketed for doing so. All moving violations are issued on the spot and don’t come cheap: expect to pay upwards of $150 for even minor offences. It is also important to note that in New York and New Jersey, the use of a mobile phone while driving is illegal and this offence is being cracked down upon all over the tri-state area. Buying a hands-free phone kit is a worthwhile investment. If you are pulled over for any of these offences, make sure your seatbelt – and your passengers’ – are buckled. A $50 fine is added for each person not wearing a seatbelt.
If you receive a parking ticket, you are required to respond within 30 days. Failure to do so will result in added penalty fees. There are detailed instructions on the back of tickets with instructions about where to send your payments (locations differ within the city) and what to do if you want to dispute the fine. If you fail to respond to a ticket, a suspension may be put on your licence, but a $35 fee will take this off.
Towing
If you think your vehicle has been towed, call 311, or 212 New York (639 9675) outside of the city. You will need your licence plate number to navigate the automated phone system, as without that it will be nearly impossible to locate your vehicle – strange as that may sound. If your car has been towed because of a parking violation and you have unpaid tickets over the amount of $101, then you will be required to pay all of the fines before your car can be released. The fastest way to pay your fines is at the Finance Business Centres, of which there is one located in each borough.
Once you have taken care of any outstanding debt, request a vehicle release form and take this with you to redeem your vehicle at the NYPD impound lot.
Other documents you will need to release your vehicle are: your valid driving licence (or someone else who has one), the original vehicle registration stub (or the title), the vehicle’s valid insurance card and a vehicle release form if necessary. If any of these things are in your car, you may request a property release form at the site, and then you will be allowed into the lot accompanied by a guard. If you do not retrieve your vehicle the day it is towed, there will be a storage fee of $10 the first two days and $15 each additional. The tow fee is currently $185 plus $70 for the execution fee (whatever that is). Add the fine from your ticket and you are looking at half your month’s rent down the drain.
If you receive a parking ticket, you are required to respond within 30 days. Failure to do so will result in added penalty fees. There are detailed instructions on the back of tickets with instructions about where to send your payments (locations differ within the city) and what to do if you want to dispute the fine. If you fail to respond to a ticket, a suspension may be put on your licence, but a $35 fee will take this off.
Towing
If you think your vehicle has been towed, call 311, or 212 New York (639 9675) outside of the city. You will need your licence plate number to navigate the automated phone system, as without that it will be nearly impossible to locate your vehicle – strange as that may sound. If your car has been towed because of a parking violation and you have unpaid tickets over the amount of $101, then you will be required to pay all of the fines before your car can be released. The fastest way to pay your fines is at the Finance Business Centres, of which there is one located in each borough.
Once you have taken care of any outstanding debt, request a vehicle release form and take this with you to redeem your vehicle at the NYPD impound lot.
Other documents you will need to release your vehicle are: your valid driving licence (or someone else who has one), the original vehicle registration stub (or the title), the vehicle’s valid insurance card and a vehicle release form if necessary. If any of these things are in your car, you may request a property release form at the site, and then you will be allowed into the lot accompanied by a guard. If you do not retrieve your vehicle the day it is towed, there will be a storage fee of $10 the first two days and $15 each additional. The tow fee is currently $185 plus $70 for the execution fee (whatever that is). Add the fine from your ticket and you are looking at half your month’s rent down the drain.
