Parking tickets are a common inconvenience for New Jersey residents and visitors, but ignoring or delaying payment can lead to serious consequences. New Jersey has a structured process for handling unpaid parking tickets, and failing to address them can result in a series of escalating penalties. This article outlines what happens if you don’t pay your NJMC Direct parking ticket and the consequences of ignoring it.
1. Late Fees and Penalties
Initial Penalty
If you do not pay your parking ticket within the designated time frame (usually 30 days), you will incur late fees. The exact amount varies depending on the municipality, but typically it’s a set percentage or flat fee added to the original fine. The longer you wait, the higher the late fees may become.
Additional Charges
In some cases, a ticket can accrue additional charges, such as administrative fees or interest, making the total payment higher than the original fine. The longer the ticket remains unpaid, the more costly it becomes.
2. License Suspension
Suspension for Unpaid Tickets
If you have multiple unpaid parking tickets in New Jersey, the state can suspend your driver’s license. This typically occurs when a driver has several outstanding tickets across different municipalities, or if a ticket remains unpaid for a prolonged period (usually more than 90 days).
Steps to Suspension
- The municipality will notify the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) about the unpaid tickets.
- The MVC will place a hold on your driver’s license, and you will not be able to renew or obtain a new license until all fines are paid.
- To lift the suspension, you must pay the fines in full, including any late fees or penalties.
3. Vehicle Booting or Towing
Booting
In some New Jersey municipalities, if you have multiple unpaid parking tickets, authorities may place a “boot” on your vehicle. The boot is a device attached to a wheel that prevents the car from being driven. To have it removed, you will need to pay the fines, towing fees, and additional penalties.
Towing
If your parking tickets remain unpaid for an extended period, your vehicle may be towed. Once towed, you will need to pay towing and storage fees in addition to the original parking fines. If you don’t claim the car within a certain period, your vehicle could be auctioned off.
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4. Court Appearance and Additional Legal Action
Court Summons
If your parking ticket remains unpaid and the situation escalates, you may receive a court summons. Ignoring this summons can lead to further legal consequences, including the issuance of a bench warrant for your arrest.
Legal Costs
Appearing in court to contest your parking ticket might involve additional costs, including legal fees or fines, especially if the judge rules against you. If you choose to go to court and lose, you may be required to pay extra fines or court costs.
5. Impact on Credit Score
Reporting to Collection Agencies
If you continue to ignore unpaid parking tickets, they may be reported to collections. Once in collections, unpaid tickets can negatively affect your credit score. This can make it harder to obtain loans, mortgages, or even rent an apartment.
Effect on Financial Future
A poor credit score due to unpaid parking tickets can also result in higher interest rates on loans and credit cards, impacting your overall financial stability. The longer the tickets remain unpaid, the more damage it can do to your credit history.
6. Difficulty Renewing Vehicle Registration
Registration Hold
In addition to license suspensions, failing to pay parking tickets can also result in a hold on your vehicle registration. Without clearing up your unpaid tickets, you will not be able to renew your vehicle registration. This can prevent you from legally driving your car on public roads.
Avoiding Penalties
To avoid this, ensure that your parking tickets are paid on time. If you have accumulated fines, you will need to resolve them before you can renew your registration or receive an updated vehicle tag.
7. Increased Difficulty with Future Citations
Impact on Future Tickets
Failure to pay previous parking tickets might cause complications with new tickets or fines. Some municipalities and states may track unpaid violations, and unresolved tickets could influence the outcome of future tickets.
Automatic Tracking
In some cases, unpaid tickets are automatically flagged, and the authorities may impose stricter penalties for future violations or even increase the fine amount for repeat offenders.
8. What to Do if You Can’t Afford to Pay
If you are unable to pay your parking ticket due to financial constraints, there are a few options available to you:
Payment Plans
Some New Jersey municipalities offer payment plans that allow you to pay your fines in installments. This option makes it easier to handle your fines without falling behind or incurring additional penalties.
Requesting an Extension
In some cases, you can request an extension for payment through NJMCDirect or by contacting the local court. This option can provide extra time to pay without facing further penalties.
Contesting the Ticket
If you believe the ticket was issued unfairly or in error, you can contest it in court. Successfully contesting the ticket could result in the fine being dismissed or reduced.
FAQ
1. How long do I have to pay my New Jersey parking ticket?
Typically, you have 30 days from the issuance of the parking ticket to pay without incurring late fees or penalties. Check the specific due date printed on your ticket for exact details.
2. Can I pay my parking ticket in installments?
In some cases, municipalities offer payment plans for those who cannot pay the full fine upfront. You can check with the local court or use NJMCDirect to see if payment plans are available.
3. Will an unpaid parking ticket affect my credit score?
Yes, if unpaid tickets are sent to collections, they can negatively impact your credit score, making it harder to secure loans, credit cards, or rental agreements.
4. What should I do if my vehicle was towed due to unpaid tickets?
If your vehicle is towed, you will need to pay both the outstanding fines and additional towing and storage fees to reclaim your vehicle. Be sure to contact the towing company and your local municipality for specific instructions on how to retrieve your car.
Conclusion
Ignoring your New Jersey parking ticket can lead to a variety of serious consequences, from late fees and license suspension to vehicle booting, towing, and damage to your credit score. To avoid these penalties, it’s crucial to pay your fines on time or take appropriate actions to contest or request extensions. Act promptly to resolve any parking tickets to maintain a clean record and avoid further legal and financial consequences.
