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What Happens to an Unpaid Ticket: A Cautionary Tale

“You’ve got to be kidding me. Another ticket on my windshield?”

It’s an unsettling sight to see when you first catch sight of your vehicle. Whether it’s one or more tickets, it’s important you take action sooner than later.

Here’s Why:

Timing is crucial. When no action is taken 15 days after the ticket is issued, a Notice of Violation (NOV) is sent to the vehicle’s registered address reminding its owner to either pay or dispute the ticket within 10 days.

If no action is taken within 10 days of the date noted on the NOV, a $30 penalty will be added. After that, then the vehicle owner has another 10 days to pay or contest the ticket before a second penalty of $35 is added.

If you want to dispute your ticket, don’t wait until the last minute. The longer you wait, the more late fees you will accumulate, which means more money out of your pocket. So let’s just say you have a $36 dollar meter-expired ticket: The last thing you should think is, “I’ll worry about paying this later.” That may not be the best decision because that $36-dollar ticket could wind up being a whopping $101 dollars.

In the long run, the choice is yours, but we suggest taking action sooner rather than later. And remember: The Philadelphia Parking Authority supports your right to contest any ticket you feel has been wrongfully issued. If you would like to contest a ticket, please click here for your options. Payment options can also be found here.

If you have questions regarding your ticket or anything parking related, reach out to us on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).