Required Elements in a Ticket - NYC.gov/Finance

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Required elements in a ticket

Required elements

A ticket is defective if certain required elements are missing, illegible, or mis-described. Defective tickets may be dismissed. The following elements are required to be accurate and legible:

Plate number

Plate type (for example, PAS, OMT, COM, etc.)

Make or model (for example, TOYO, FORD, BMW, etc.)

Body type (for example, SUBN, MCY, 4DSD, etc.)

State of registration

A general statement of the violation charged (for example, “TR §4-08(e)(9)—bike lane,” etc.)

The proper section of law must be cited (for example, §4-08(e)(9), etc.)

A “plain English” description of the violation must also be stated (for example, “bike lane,” “fire hydrant,” etc.)

The date and time (a.m. or p.m.) the ticket was issued

The place where the ticket was issued (“front of” or “opposite,” etc.), excluding “status” and “equipment” violations

Status violations: registration or inspection sticker, improper registration, covered VIN, and registration plate violations

Equipment violations: missing, broken, or improper equipment (for example, headlights, brake lights, signals, windshield, mirrors, tinted windows, etc.)

The ticket must indicate what is broken, missing, or improper

First observation time—for time-limited zone violations

Overtime parking (parking meter)

Storage violations (3 hours, 24 hours, or 7 days)

Overtime parking—time limit posted

Expiration date of registration or inspection, if the charge is for expiration

The issuer’s signature (doesn’t have to be legible, as long as it is signed)

The days or hours the posted sign is in effect (unless in effect 24 hours)

Meter number (for certain meter violations)

A charge of “failure to display” (VC38) does not need the meter number

A charge of “expired meter” (VC37) must include the meter number

Pay particular attention to handwritten tickets and make sure the printed information is accurate.

Parking sign restrictions

There is a five-minute grace period for parking meters and restrictive hours zones.

•Signs are effective from the pole where the sign is affixed, in the direction of the arrow on the sign, to either the next corner or the next posted sign, whichever is nearer.

Where a car is “straddling” the pole containing a sign with a one directional arrow, that car will be deemed to be in the restricted zone of that sign if any part of the car in the restricted zone creates the violation.

Where there are two signs posted affecting the same area, but with conflicting restrictions, follow the less restrictive sign. Report the conflicting signs by calling 311.

Fire hydrant violations

You cannot park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. There is an exception for passenger (PAS) plated vehicles only if the driver is behind the wheel of the car during daylight hours and standing is not otherwise prohibited. (However, you must move the vehicle immediately if you hear the approach of a fire emergency vehicle or you are ordered to move by law enforcement.)

The ticket must state how far, in feet, the vehicle was parked from the hydrant.

Parking meters

If the metered zone is in effect for certain times, those times must be accurately indicated on the ticket.

If the violation is for overtime parking, the ticket must indicate the “time first observed.”

If the violation is for an expired Muni Meter, the ticket must indicate the meter number.

Note: the meter number is not required if the violation was for failing to display the receipt.

Status violations

Any time the allegation is for something “improper,” the ticket must indicate why the registration, inspection, or equipment was improper.

Likewise, if the violation is for “missing “or “broken” equipment, the ticket must identify the missing or broken equipment.

Registration stickers and display violations

Stickers must be current, valid, and properly displayed at all times.

Proper display means affixed to the windshield next to the inspection sticker.

Displaying the sticker on the dashboard is not proper.

Having the sticker somewhere inside the car, other than affixed to the windshield, is not proper.

Temporary registration stickers must be placed on the dashboard, with the old sticker remaining affixed to the windshield.

The ticket must indicate whether the registration was either “missing” or “expired.”

If for expired registration, the expiration date must be noted on the ticket.

Missing plates or improper display of plates

For vehicles registered in New York, two plates must be displayed: one on the front of the vehicle, and one on the rear.

Plates cannot be displayed on the dashboard.

Plates cannot be covered with plastic or glass

No part of the plate can be covered. (Most frames that car dealers place on your license plate cover part of the plate. This is a violation.)

The ticket must state which plate was missing.

The ticket must note why the plate display was improper (for example, front plate on dash).

Mismatched plate and sticker

The boxes next to “ALTERNATE PLATE and STATE” must be accurately filled in.

Inspection

Vehicles with New York plates must properly display a current and valid inspection sticker.

The box for “Missing” or Expired” must be checked on the ticket.

If the ticket is for an expired inspection, the expiration date must be noted.

If the violation was for an “improper” sticker display, the ticket must indicate why it was improper.

Equipment

If the violation was for “missing equipment,” the ticket must indicate what equipment was missing.

Required equipment includes, but is not limited to, functioning head lamps, reflectors, good working brakes, horn, signals, windshield wipers, etc.