You're parked incorrectly. Either you haven't bought a parking ticket, or it's expired. When you return to your car, you'll find a ticket on your windscreen. Annoying. But you can always lodge an objection.
Parking offences
There are effectively two categories of illegal parking. The first is stopping or parking where it is not permitted. This is then referred to as a (traffic) violation.
- a street with a no parking restriction
- in public green spaces (verge, park, etc.)
- in a blue zone without a parking disc
- on the carriageway (double parking)
- on the pavement or a cycle lane
- along a continuous yellow line (parking)
- along a broken yellow line (stopping)
Fines
In the above cases, the fine is 90 euro. Unless you cause serious obstruction or potential danger, for example by parking at an intersection. Then the fine is even 140 euro. You pay the fine, plus 9 euro administrative costs, to the Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB).
Parking in a disabled bay is considered a serious traffic offence. As a result, you will face a much higher fine for this, namely €370. This also applies to stopping. Even if someone is still in the car, you leave the engine running and have the hazard lights on.
Please note! If you park or stop obstructively or dangerously in a disabled parking bay, your vehicle may be towed away. In addition to the fine, you will be liable for the towing costs!
No ticket or invalid ticket
In some places, you have to pay to park. If you don't pay or pay too little for parking, you could get a ticket. (Read: if you don't buy a ticket or your ticket has expired.) This is not actually an offence punishable by a fine, but rather a supplementary charge for municipal parking tax. Be aware, this supplementary charge is higher than the original parking fee due.
To object
If you believe you have unfairly received a fine, you can object. This is called ‘lodging an appeal’. Of course, you must have a valid reason for doing so.
To object to a traffic fine issued by the CJIB, you must do so with the public prosecutor. If you disagree with their decision, you can always appeal (or further appeal). You do this successively with the sub-district court judge and the court of appeal.
If you do not agree with a parking fine (additional parking charge), you must submit an objection to the director of municipal taxes. If you do not agree with his decision, you can appeal to the tax chamber of the Court of Appeal.
Have you ever received a parking ticket or fine? Where and for what? Did you appeal it at the time (successfully)? Let our followers know in the comments!
