Parking Fine - Can I Dispute It?

Lsilkyprincy on 28/11/2014 - 15:28

Hi,

I parked at uni in the designated university car park in a legitimate parking spot (4P) and had a valid ticket.

I paid for 4hrs but I did stay at uni past the time of the ticket and and was fined $104 for "stop in restricted parking area."

Just wondering, as they didn't fine me for "Park continously for longer than permitted" can I challenge this Fine based on this?

The car parking spot was not restricted or for disabled parking at all.

Is it a mistake on their end? Should I just pay off the fine?

Thanks

Automotive

Comments

  • cypher67 on 28/11/2014 - 15:53
    +2

    Yes you can dispute, but I doubt you will win. They can spin the words to suit them, it is a restricted area, hence the parking timers, and you were stopped. The restrictions state you needed a ticket, therefore your ticket wasnt valud and you get a fine. Also unless you can provide a valid parking ticket for the time you were fined, they will just hit you with the other offence. Screwed either way, pay the fine.

  • Cheapo333 on 28/11/2014 - 15:56

    Is it a council fine or university fine?
    Can you scan your fine (hide your details)?

  • Islund on 28/11/2014 - 16:16
    +2

    Just pay the fine for they (either council or university) will bend over backwards to find ways of screwing you.

    The restriction the ticket mentions refers to the 4P in that you are restricted to paying and parking there for only 4 hours at a time.

  • cst on 28/11/2014 - 16:52
    +3

    I have got friend's off parking fines by writing in and explaining the situation, apologising and asking for it to be waived. It has worked many times.

    Do you have a good reason for overstaying the 4 hours? Medical appointment/illness, helping a friend in need, kept back by a teacher? I think it's definitely worth trying before just paying it.

  • Gunther on 28/11/2014 - 16:57
    +1

    Seen this happen before, even if it was the incorrect fine type - they can simply reissues the correct ticket. Same outcome for you.

  • PVA on 28/11/2014 - 16:59
    +1

    so you stayed for more than the 4 hours. Just pay the fine.

  • Cheapo333 on 28/11/2014 - 18:23

    If he didn't pay for the 4 hours to begin with, would he have ended up with the same fine?

  • Cheeper on 28/11/2014 - 20:40
    +1

    Technically, if his ticket has expired for the time he paid for then he is parked in a restricted zone… thus the "stop in restricted parking area."

    Pay the fine.

  • rambutann on 28/11/2014 - 23:02
    +1

    Its always worth it to contest it. I currently have a 1 win 1 loss track record~

  • Itburns on 29/11/2014 - 07:20
    +3

    If the parking service is run by a private company & not the University or local Council (e.g. Parksafe, Care Park etc), they have no right to issue you a fine at all. As a private company, they can only sue you to recover damages & have no legal right to issue a fine. If this is the case, just ignore them - they will finally go away after issuing multiple threatening letters. They know it is not worth going to court to try & get their money - they will lose anyway (multiple precedents).

    If it is issued by the Uni or Council, try asking to be let off because you were unavoidably detained for whatever reason - you have a small chance of being successful - always say this is the first time this has happened!

    gl

  • CandyMan on 29/11/2014 - 13:26

    The sdro has a booklet available online about fines and disputes
    They also report that only 3% of disputes are successful
    However u may be able to pay the fine by instalments if ur on a student allowance

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