Advice on contesting a bullshit parking ticket?

[maggot]

So I've just received a reminder for a parking ticket I was apparently issued on the 27th of April, with the infringement notice being 'attached to vehicle'

The charge is "Used a motor vehicle on which the appropriate current licence was not displayed in the correct manner.." Offence against Transport Act 1962, Section 41A(2) and Transport 1986, Section 5(1)(b) & 5(2).
I've looked it up and as far as I can tell, apparently my license/plates or other such crap was not displayed clearly. Which I'm quite confused about. Because my rego, and WOF were up to date and clearly displayed on the date in question.

Is this just another bullshit revenue-collecting scam? I'm a uni student, parking my bike in legit spots on Princes St, and there're a number of times I've watched the parking wardens sit there writing down plates and other such crap, when all the motor vehicles were legit (after having checked them myself once they cleared off).

So I'm planning on contesting this, cos two hundred bucks isn't easy money to lose :/
How do I go about this and does anyone have any advice?

Thanks!

[bogan]

post some pics of how your stuff is displayed and we will know if you have a leg to stand on.

[FJRider]

Write to the department which issued the ticket ... (attach copy with photo's of how it was displayed) and wait for reply. At worst you go to court and plead your case ...

[maggot]

I've got no camera at my disposal right now, but my set up is number plate, rego displayed below it, and WOF tag bolted to the number plate, easily visible.

[Hanne]

Where in Auckland was this? We have had problems on Symonds Street in the past with tickets for bikes that were displaying and parking wardens who simply weren't looking.
Squiggles has been following this up with the council, PM him the details as he is collecting details of cases of this at the moment.
Also, to contest the form is here, you can download form and send it in with photos.

[bogan]

I've got no camera at my disposal right now, but my set up is number plate, rego displayed below it, and WOF tag bolted to the number plate, easily visible.

in that case definetly contest it (go to where you pay the ticket and ask to contest it), ask to see the photos the warden took (think they all take photos of the offense now, do in palmy anyway), suggest that they re-educate thier staff that a very common place for wof/rego is around the number plate area.

[maggot]

Where in Auckland was this?

Was in the big bunch that park up on Princes when Symonds is full up.

Thanks for the form btw, and I'll forward this to Squiggles

[davebullet]

You have to write a letter. I have had two fines from council (or their lackies) re no current license on the cage.

The frst time - I really did not have a current license, as I was on my way to buy the damn thing. I wrote a letter, attached the receipt and got off.

The 2nd time, a parking warden made an innocent mistake and wrote down a car in Auckland without its license (stating my plate and I am in Wellington). Another letter stating I am wellington based (without proof of being in wellington that day) was enough.

Take photos and check any legislation about visibility of the license details. Your ticket should have sufficient detail to point out why it was obscured. Use that detail (or any lack thereof) to prove how the license was not obscured and if checked correctly would have been found. Attach a photo with it visible. Also attach evidence that your license is actually valid.

The address to write to should be on the back of the ticket from memory.

[Hanne]

I'm not suprised it was Symond's Street, a memo went out to wardens a bout 2 years back telling them they actually have t olook, can be behind number plate, on side of bike, in windscreen area, all legit. After the first memo things cooled down but looks like they have a new set of wardens through... New parking services manager too.

Squiggles will help you out, just don't go pay it in the meantime!

[Phurrball]

I've got no camera at my disposal right now, but my set up is number plate, rego displayed below it, and WOF tag bolted to the number plate, easily visible.

It sounds like it's time for Squiggles and I to have a chat to the Council Parking people with BRONZ etc. There have been changes at the top, so we obviously need to reconvene the stakeholders' meetings as they've forgotten that the affected groups start to holler and ask hard questions when hit with BS tickets. Plenty of BS bus-lane tickets across from University too - see latest Craccum.

[Ixion]

We're trying to . But they won't answer our emails. The chick that ran the stakeholders meetings went off to pup, and the guy who has taken over from her doesn't want to know us (maybe he's scared we'll want to try and get him pregnant too?) .

[Blinkwing]

Oh this reminds me, there's road gunk all over my WOF .. gonna have to move it somewhere more visible.

[Phurrball]

We're trying to . But they won't answer our emails. The chick that ran the stakeholders meetings went off to pup, and the guy who has taken over from her doesn't want to know us (maybe he's scared we'll want to try and get him pregnant too?) .

Damn it! Do we need to call him daily until he agrees? I have a meeting with the Mayor next week on a work matter. I could unethically hijack that for personal gain and ask how one gets a meeting with the parking people??

[maggot]

Respectfully angry letter written, photographic evidence attached, and in the mail as I type

Won't be hard to get off of, especially considering I didn't do anything wrong in the first place!

Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever actually had an infringement noticed attached to their bike? I just can't imagine it'd be the smartest/most effective way of issuing tickets, seeing as (most) bikes are entirely open to the environment with not many places to stick silly bits of paper.

[bogan]

Respectfully angry letter written, photographic evidence attached, and in the mail as I type

Won't be hard to get off of, especially considering I didn't do anything wrong in the first place!

Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever actually had an infringement noticed attached to their bike? I just can't imagine it'd be the smartest/most effective way of issuing tickets, seeing as (most) bikes are entirely open to the environment with not many places to stick silly bits of paper.

you may be surprised how hard it is to get away with doing nothing wrong, hope it's easy for ya though. Yeh I had one attached, there was a leather strap across the seat between pillion and rider bits that they tucked the ticket into.