Parking Fines are Holding Up DMV Registration
My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: CA
Somewhat lengthy but my issue is complex and the details are important...
My complaint is two-fold:
(1) the DMV claims my registration is incomplete because I have an open, valid dispute (that I have been actively working but don't know how to solve) and they won't issue me a temporary registration.
(2) I have two valid disputes with Foothill College Parking.
I coached a track workout for EIGHT years in the Cupertino/Los Altos, CA area. Every Tuesday night, I purchased a $3.00 parking ticket at either DeAnza College or Foothill College to park while coaching a 1 hour weekly workout. I always purchased a ticket and put it on my dash, clearly displayed - EVERY SINGLE TUESDAY NIGHT FOR THE BETTER PART OF EIGHT YEARS.
In 2013, on Tuesday nights, Foothill College got greedy and started aggressively ticketing many runners in gray areas (e.g. when machines were broken, sitting in cars, etc.)
Since my car is prone to door dings, I always parked in the same spot at Foothill College -- WAY out of the way, to the very outside of an END spot with no other cars around. I received a ticket (which I am still fighting) for "taking up AN additional space". I was parked (with a valid $3.00 ticket on the dash) a tire's width over the white line on the side of the line along the END of the parking lot -- clearly not overtaking any parking space but a tad into a slashed-out perimeter of asphalt. I went on-online immediately to dispute the ticket. Figuring I would end up paying but ... Seriously?
A few weeks later, before hearing back on the first ticket ... (I can only assume to be harassed), I got a citation for "no permit". My permit was ABSOLUTELY CLEARLY displayed on the dash. I have a photo of the untouched ticket on the dash and followed all instructions on-online to dispute this second obvious harassment.
Both items were returned with the standard "not enough information" even though I supplied proof and photos in all cases. I sent an additional letter and then never got anything from them again - no mail, email, nothing.
Fast forward to Nov 2013 when I paid my auto registration.
My auto registration was paid in full 2 weeks early to the DMV. In fact, there was an extra $68.00 fee that was not described (other than "fee") that I paid as well. I got a letter a month after my registration had expired saying I owed more fees (another $68.00) and that I had an incomplete application (still don't have my registration tags as of today.
Again, There was no note or description on what the fee was so I booked an appointment, went to the DMV and waited in line. I had to do all that to find out that it is Foothill College keeping me from having current, legal registration tags on my otherwise legal and registration-paid in full and on-time vehicle.
I cannot continue to fight or resubmit my dispute to Foothill College without paying $164.00 first. I cannot get current with DMV without paying $164.00.
I don't have extra money lying around and I work hard to pay my bills. I refuse to be bullied by this greedy, broken system. Granted, in the first case, my car wheel was on the white line and while I at first paid that $68.00 (to the DMV) as it was in the gray area ... the second $68.00 is a DISTINCT LIE by Foothill College ... where does the greed stop?
I will not pay to be harassed and abused just because this greedy institution is making my life miserable and jeopardizing my livelihood (as I drive kids around with expired tags, now). I paid my $3.00 parking fee in BOTH instances and clearly displayed the large, dated tag (no possible way anyone could miss it and I have photos).
How can I get justice here? I absolutely refuse to pay the DMV and hope that someday Foothill College will "refund me" that money. That's what the DMV suggests. That should be illegal and is a horrible way to treat an innocent person. Why does this system support guilty until proven innocent? Why should I have to pay the fine plus late fees as though I were guilty just to get an additional hearing? What do I do now wanting to be proactive but not wanting to :wallbang: forever ????
Thank you for your time and reading to the bottom. Please don't tell me to just pay it and forget it. Not going to happen - my parents taught me right from wrong and this is just plain wrong.
Re: Greedy Institution/Valid Parking Dispute Should Not Hold Up My DMV Registration
Apparently, you had enough money to pay in parking lots. You do seem to have an issue with self responsibility. Show them you can have the last laugh and don't ever register a car in CA again.
Re: Greedy Institution/Valid Parking Dispute Should Not Hold Up My DMV Registration
Dear Disagreeable ...
Apparently, you assume too much. Paid parking was mandatory - no street parking or other choices -- $3.00 for an hour or get a ticket. It was my job to be there for an hour and I got paid to coach the workout.
No issues with responsibility whatsoever ... I have paid plenty of parking tickets when missing a street cleaning sign, forgetting about the meter, etc. This is very different. You seem like the type of person who would ding my door too just because I like to take care of my car, keep it shiny and park accordingly.
Re: Parking Fines are Holding Up DMV Registration
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Quoting
SVTC-Coach
Since my car is prone to door dings, I always parked in the same spot at Foothill College -- WAY out of the way, to the very outside of an END spot with no other cars around. I received a ticket (which I am still fighting) for "taking up AN additional space". I was parked (with a valid $3.00 ticket on the dash) a tire's width over the white line on the side of the line along the END of the parking lot
So, if the code section you were cited for was for parking outside the marked space, you'll likely lose. Sorry.
In the meantime, you can continue to dispute parking tickets, or pay them and clear your registration. If the parking tickets are holding up your registration then it is because they have been reported to the DMV as unpaid. You had best be careful, because they might have gone to collections of Foothill engages in that.
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A few weeks later, before hearing back on the first ticket ... (I can only assume to be harassed),
I seriously doubt that the cps there have a list of vehicles to mess with ... really, that's not likely. You're hardly the first person to dispute or complain about a parking ticket, and if the department issued a "hit list" of people to "harass" that would get out real quick ... not to mention that most officers really aren't going to care that much to bother your car because you are disputing a ticket. In fact, most the department won't have a clue nor care.
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Both items were returned with the standard "not enough information" even though I supplied proof and photos in all cases. I sent an additional letter and then never got anything from them again - no mail, email, nothing.
And when you went down to speak to someone in person? Or called? What happened?
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My auto registration was paid in full 2 weeks early to the DMV. In fact, there was an extra $68.00 fee that was not described (other than "fee") that I paid as well. I got a letter a month after my registration had expired saying I owed more fees (another $68.00) and that I had an incomplete application (still don't have my registration tags as of today.
Sounds like they were reported to the DMV as delinquent and they appear to believe your dispute is overwith. Maybe you need to talk to a live body?
The extra fee is likely a late fee attached for delinquent parking cites.
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I will not pay to be harassed and abused just because this greedy institution is making my life miserable and jeopardizing my livelihood (as I drive kids around with expired tags, now). I paid my $3.00 parking fee in BOTH instances and clearly displayed the large, dated tag (no possible way anyone could miss it and I have photos).
Then don't pay. No one is saying you have to. But, there will be consequences to not paying the citations and clearing this hold on your registration. Keep in mind that when your registration has been delinquent for 6 months, your vehicle is subject to impound.
Maybe you can get a new hearing, but talk to people in person! Forget email and online, try talking to a live body!
Re: Parking Fines are Holding Up DMV Registration
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SVTC-Coach
I will not pay to be harassed and abused just because this greedy institution is making my life miserable and jeopardizing my livelihood
Such drama. I've practically swooned.
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SVTC-Coach
I drive kids around with expired tags, now
So when you rack up more tickets you'll whine some more about how unfair and unjust life is.
Get used to it. It continues after college.
Re: Parking Fines are Holding Up DMV Registration
I have been cited for parking outside the marked space because the cars already parked when I arrived were already parked over the line so there was not choice. I challenged my ticket and won because the ticketing official (not a police officer) had started her shift 20 minutes prior to writing my ticket and could not say what the conditions were hours earlier when I parked. That was not in California, however. For what ever it's worth...