Arizona Collision Center

Does Parking Ticket Amnesty Still Exist?

Found an old parking ticket you haven’t had a chance to pay yet? If you live in certain cities across the country, you might get lucky and be able to use a parking ticket amnesty program. At Arizona Collision Center, we hate parking tickets and so when we hear about parking amnesty in Tempe, AZ, it's great news!

If you’re not familiar with parking citation amnesties, they are usually programs where the city will cancel the payment or penalty, or allow you to pay a percentage of the debt. Some programs ask for a charitable donation.

Not only do these programs offer motorists a clean slate, but it's also a great way to pay a citation at a lower cost. It can also raise millions of dollars for cities.

Five amnesty programs, past and present:

1.) Cincinnati, Ohio

The city of Cincinnati offered citizens the opportunity to pay their parking violations incurred before June 30, 2010 without a penalty. Otherwise, their car would be impounded. Then they would be required to pay the entire ticket, a $150 impound fee and a $25 daily storage fee.

2.) Albany, New York

The City of Albany initiated a “Food for Fines” program where late penalties on parking tickets before July 31, 2015 were removed in return for a donation of non-perishable food items to The Food Pantries for the Capital District.

3.) Salt Lake City, Utah

A 90-day parking amnesty program began in August 2016. Mayor Jackie Biskupski explained it was for extremely overdue parking fines issued prior to July 1, 2014. Those who qualified received a discount of approximately 60 percent. In return, they were asked to make a $10 donation to a local charity or donate four cans of non-perishable food to the Utah Food Bank. City Hall said on average a citation would be reduced by $70.

4.) Kingston, New York

In 2016, Mayor Steve Noble announced an amnesty program for drivers with parking tickets issued before December 1. The late penalty was waived if individuals paid at City Hall during certain dates. Although it wasn’t required as part of the program, Noble requested that people bring in non-perishable food items to donate to local food pantries.

5.) St. Petersburg, Florida

A first-time amnesty program was started in St. Petersburg, Florida, and is offered to downtown patrons visiting local retailers. It was initiated for motorists unfamiliar with downtown parking and subsequently let their meter expire. In order to qualify, it has to be the first time a person receives a ticket by the city. The individual is sent a golden color “Expired Meter Amnesty Program" card in the mail with the citation. Only certain receipts are acceptable such as ones from restaurants, museums and movies. A $25 minimum purchase is required and can be combined with other receipts.

Hopefully, you don’t receive a parking ticket, but if you do, check with the city to find out about the possibility of a parking amnesty program in your area.

Sources: MSN, Forbes and Automotive News