Have you ever parked your car on the street only to return to find a parking ticket NSW on your windshield?
In New South Wales, some councils have adopted a new system of issuing parking fines. This system eliminates the need for paper tickets. Instead, the fines are sent to drivers’ addresses via mail, making them “invisible” until they arrive.
While this system has some benefits – such as being more environmentally friendly and convenient for motorists – there are also some criticisms against it. Some drivers feel that the system is unfair and predatory as they cannot dispute the fine if they don’t receive the ticket.
In this article, we’ll look closer at the new invisible parking ticket NSW. We look at some advantages and disadvantages, and answer certain frequently asked questions about them.
Advantages of the New Parking Ticket NSW System
Invisible parking tickets are more environmentally friendly than traditional paper tickets for several reasons:
- There is no need for paper tickets, so as to eliminate the purchasing and disposal costs that would otherwise be incurred.
- Service and support costs for the corresponding devices are eliminated.
- The need for mailing a fine reminder notice is lowered, which helps to reduce the cost and environmental impact of mailing paper tickets.
- The system is cashless, which means that drivers do not need to handle cash or coins, reducing the amount of physical currency in circulation.
Overall, the elimination of paper tickets and the move towards a cashless system are critical factors in making invisible parking ticket NSW more environmentally friendly than traditional paper tickets.
Another advantage of this electronic parking ticket NSW is that motorists can keep the ticket and remember to display it since it will be available through the email application on your phone.
Disadvantages of the Invisible Parking Ticket NSW
The use of invisible parking ticket NSW includes the following disadvantages:
- Unfairness. Some motorists feel that the system is unfair because they cannot dispute the fine if they don’t receive the ticket.
- Predatory. Some people feel that the tickets are predatory because authorities send them out many days or weeks after the offence, making it difficult for drivers to remember the circumstances of the fine.
- Lack of information. Some drivers feel that the paper ticket is more useful because it provides more information about the offence.
- Technological failures. Invisible parking tickets rely on technology to work, which means that there is a risk of technological failures that could result in drivers receiving unfair fines.
While invisible parking tickets have some benefits, they are not without their problems. The lack of transparency and the inability to dispute fines are key concerns for some motorists.
Disputing an Invisible Parking Ticket NSW
Disputing an invisible parking ticket after it has been issued is possible. Here are some steps that drivers can take to dispute a parking ticket:
- Contact the council or Revenue NSW. Drivers can contact the council or Revenue NSW to dispute the ticket. They may need to provide evidence to support their case.
- Submit a form online or write a letter. Drivers can submit a form online or write a letter to the body that issued the ticket. This is generally the first step in contesting a parking ticket.
- Seek legal advice. If drivers are unable to resolve the issue with their local council or Revenue NSW, they should seek legal advice.
What Evidence Do I Need to Provide to Dispute an Invisible Parking Ticket?
Drivers may need to provide evidence to support their case, such as:
- Photographs. Drivers can photograph the parked car, any curb/road markings, relevant parking signs, parking meter location, and the display screen if malfunctioning.
- Parking signs or road markings. If the parking signs or road markings were unclear, drivers can take photographs to prove this.
- Broken parking metre. If the parking metre is broken, drivers can photograph it not working.
- Proof of payment. If drivers paid for parking but still received a ticket, they can provide proof of payment. This includes a receipt or a statement from their bank or financial institution. This is usually needed if an offender opts for Mastercard or visa payments.
- Witness statements. If there were witnesses to the parking incident, their statements may help dispute the ticket.
NSW Councils that Have Adopted the New System
NSW councils that have adopted “invisible” parking tickets include:
| Bayside Council | Wollondilly City Council |
| Burwood Council | Cumberland City Council |
| City of Ryde | Canterbury-Bankstown Council |
| Inner West Council | Hawkesbury City Council |
| Lane Cove Municipal Council | Woollahra Municipal Council |
| Lismore City Council | North Sydney City Council |
| Liverpool City Council | Central Coast Council |
| Randwick City Council | Sutherland Shire Council |
| Tweed Shire Council | Cessnock City Council |
| Shellharbour City Council | Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council |
| Armidale Regional Council | Dubbo Regional Council |
| The Hills Shire Council | Lake Macquarie City Council |
| Willoughby City Council | Eurobodalla Shire Council |
| Muswellbrook Shire Council | Bellingen Shire Council |
| Georges River Council | Griffith City Council |
| Hornsby Shire Council | Shoalhaven City Council |
| Bega Valley Council | Port Macquarie Hastings Council |
| City of Sydney | Ku-ring-gai Council |
Frequently Atsked Questions about the Invisible Parking Ticket NSW
Q: How do invisible parking tickets work?
A: Rangers use handheld devices to record details and photographs of the offence, which they then use to issue the parking fine. The fine is sent to the driver’s address via mail, which means that drivers may only be aware that they have received a fine once they receive the letter.
If you believe that you need not pay a parking ticket or overdue fine that you received, you can request a review through the Revenue NSW website. NSW Government will usually respond to your request for review within 2 weeks. However, more complex requests may take up to 6 weeks.
Q: Can I still receive demerit points for parking offences with invisible parking tickets?
A: Yes, drivers can still receive demerit points for parking offences, regardless of whether they receive a paper ticket or an invisible parking ticket. The demerit points system for parking offences is the same regardless of the type of ticket that authorities issue.
Q: How long does it take to receive an invisible parking ticket in the mail after the offense?
A: The time it takes to receive an invisible parking ticket in the mail after the offence varies. Some drivers have reported receiving the ticket many days or even weeks after the offences.
Revenue NSW stated that they post the fine to the driver within three business days after the recording of the offence. It is important to note that some councils have introduced a ten-minute grace period for at least one hour of paid ticketed parking.
Thus, the time it takes to receive an invisible parking ticket in the mail after the offence can vary, but typically within a few days to a few weeks.
Ask Help From a Traffic Offence Lawyer
Invisible parking tickets are now a reality in New South Wales, Australia. While they can help to reduce illegal parking, they can also be confusing and frustrating for drivers, especially if they receive a ticket or fine notice in error.
If you’ve received an invisible parking ticket in NSW, don’t just pay it without a fight. You may have a valid case to dispute the ticket, and an experienced traffic offence lawyer can help you get the best possible outcome.
If you’re considering disputing an invisible parking ticket in NSW, contact a traffic offence lawyer from JB Solicitors as soon as possible. We’ll help you dispute your invisible parking ticket in NSW.
Contact us today.
