Different provinces have different parking rules. Whether you didn’t read the signs or you forgot to move your car, getting a parking ticket can be annoying and expensive. But it can potentially impact your credit score if you don’t pay your ticket. Read on for more details about parking tickets in Canada and what you can do about them.
Key Points
- Parking tickets can potentially end up costing hundreds of dollars, depending on the city and the type of offence.
- Unpaid parking tickets could have a negative effect on your credit score if left unpaid for an extended period of time.
- Your ability to renew your driver’s license or your plate stickers could also be affected if you don’t pay them.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Parking Ticket In Canada?
If you don’t pay a parking ticket issued by a municipal authority on time, no matter the reason, the consequences vary based on the province and city where you received it. For instance, Ontario law gives you 15 days to pay your fine, make submissions about the ticket, or contest it in court.
Some cities even offer incentives for you to pay your ticket early, such as reduced fees. However, if you don’t do any of those things within 15 days, you’ll get a reminder in the mail, shortly before your information is sent to the Ministry of Transportation. If you keep avoiding your ticket, the repercussions may only get more expensive and problematic.
| Can A Parking Ticket Affect My Driving Record? Luckily, no matter how many parking tickets you receive, they will not affect your driving record or result in demerit points, because they are not considered moving violations. |
Can Parking Tickets Affect Your Credit Score?
Yes. If you have enough outstanding parking tickets, your municipal traffic authority may send them to collections, which will cause them to show up on your credit report. Every city in Canada has a different process when dealing with the debt from parking tickets.
While your credit score shouldn’t be affected if you’ve paid for your tickets and bills on time, unpaid tickets — even ones dating back decades — may be lowering your credit score without you realizing it.
Lisa Prosser, an Ontario woman, is all too familiar with this unpleasant fact. After checking her credit report, she noticed several negative notes associated with unpaid fines that she was unaware of that were pulling her credit score down. Surprisingly, these offences occurred as far back as 20 years ago. Even though she had been paying her bills on time, these old tickets were having a negative effect on her score.
As reported in a recent CTV article, Lisa had to investigate further to find out exactly what was lowering her score. Eventually, she discovered that her credit was being negatively impacted by offences committed when she was 17 and 22 years old. She was unaware of them because the notices of these offences were being sent to a home address where she no longer lived.
This may sound like a unique situation, but it can happen to anyone for the following reasons:
These Debts Are Permanent
Fines remain permanently on file because they’re considered Crown debt. They can date back decades when they were moved from provincial to municipal governments.
There’s No Statute Of Limitations
For these offences, there is no statute of limitations. This means that creditors can continue their collection efforts long-term until the debts are repaid. Since this kind of debt never goes away, you could theoretically be pursued by collection agencies until you make the payment.
Learn more: What Is The Statute Of Limitations For Debt In Canada?
You’re Not Protected By A Collection Notice
A notice of collection is intended to let you know that you have outstanding debts that need to be settled right away. However, since the statute of limitations doesn’t apply in the case of provincial and municipal offences, collection agencies don’t have to prove that they attempted to get in touch with you.
Since Lisa Prosser had not lived at the home where these notices were being sent, for instance, she didn’t know they existed and therefore didn’t have the opportunity to pay them on time. Nevertheless, the collectors don’t have to provide evidence of any kind of delivery.
When it comes to paying bills and tickets, you can be as responsible as possible. But even someone with good spending habits can find themselves in this unfortunate circumstance.
What Can You Do If You Can’t Afford To Pay The Parking Ticket?
Parking tickets are pricey in some areas of Canada, especially if you can’t afford them due to your other bills or debts. Nonetheless, it’s best to pay a parking ticket sooner rather than later to avoid any further legal or financial repercussions.
That said, if you don’t have the money, you can consider the following:
- Take Out A Personal Loan. Consider applying for a personal loan to pay your ticket. Since unpaid traffic tickets can hurt your credit score and may affect your ability to renew your driver’s license when it comes due, it’s best to ensure that you pay the ticket on time to avoid these repercussions.
- Look Into The Fine Option Program (If Available). The Fine Option Program offers Canadians a way to settle certain fines by completing supervised volunteer work instead of making a cash payment. It’s especially beneficial for those facing financial hardship who may struggle to afford the full cost of their fines. This program is available in most provinces and territories across Canada, except Ontario and Newfoundland.
Steps To Take If A Parking Ticket Has Gone To Collections
If your unpaid parking ticket has been sent to collections and is negatively affecting your credit report and score, here are some things you can do about it:
- Confirm The Debt: Contact the collections agency to verify the ticket details and request written documentation showing the original ticket, amount owed, and any additional fees.
- Check Your Credit Report: Get your credit report from the credit bureaus, banks, or third-party providers like CompareHub to see if the ticket has been reported. Look for any collection notes on your report related to parking violations.
- Dispute Errors: If the ticket was paid or reported incorrectly, you can file a dispute with the credit bureau to have the mistake fixed.
- Negotiate With The Collection Agency: You may be able to settle the debt for less than what you owe. Make sure to get any agreement in writing before making a payment.
Learn more: How To Remove Collections From Credit Report In Canada
How To Check If You Have Outstanding Parking Tickets
In some cases, as noted earlier, it’s possible that you may have an outstanding parking ticket that you’re either unaware of or forgotten about. In this case, you may want to take a few minutes to see if there are any unpaid tickets that need to be dealt with before they cause more serious issues.
| Use Your Province’s Or City’s Online Portal | Ontario: ServiceOntario. British Columbia: You’ll need to visit your city’s website, as most parking tickets in BC are issued by municipalities, not the province. Or, call ICBC at 604-982-2250. Alberta: My Alberta eServices portal. |
| Contact Your Local Municipal Office | If online tools aren’t available or you need more assistance, contact your city’s parking enforcement or bylaw office directly. |
| Check Your Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice | In some provinces, unpaid parking tickets may block your ability to renew your vehicle registration. If you’ve received a notice, it may list outstanding fines. |
How Much Is A Parking Ticket In Canada?
In Canada, parking ticket rules vary according to several elements, like the province, municipality, and zone where the infraction takes place. So, before you park anywhere, it’s important to read any signs nearby and understand how things work in that area.
Ontario
In Ontario, parking tickets can lead to different fine amounts based on factors like:
- How much time a meter has expired by
- If you park in a no stopping or no parking zone
- If you park in an accessible spot without a proper permit
- If you park too close to a fire lane or fire hydrant
Depending on the infraction, here’s how much you could pay in Ontario’s main cities:
- Toronto = $30 – $450
- Ottawa = $40 – $500
- Mississauga = $30 – $400
- Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge = $20 – $400
- Hamilton = $25 – $350
For example, in Ottawa, the cheapest set fines you can get are $60 for infractions like parking on a municipal lot in a loading zone. That fine will be reduced to $40 if you pay your ticket within 15 days (early payment). You can pay up to $500 (or $400 for early payment) for parking in a space reserved for the physically disabled without a permit.
| How To Dispute It In Ontario, you can dispute a parking ticket within 15 days of receiving it. The process varies by city, so check with your municipality to find out the required steps. You cannot request a trial online. To ask for a trial, follow the instructions on the back of your ticket. |
Alberta
In Alberta, parking tickets issued by a government entity (provincial or municipal), are treated as fines. No matter which authority gives you the ticket, these rules will apply:
- Paying late will result in additional charges.
- All fines must be paid before you can renew your vehicle registration.
- Parking tickets issued on private lots, by private firms, have different rules.
- Not paying fines can lead to collection actions, additional penalties, and legal issues, including wage garnishment and damage to your credit score.
In cities like Calgary, parking tickets can be around $40 to $300, based on the offense.
| How To Dispute It Alberta parking ticket rules vary by city. For example, the Calgary Parking Authority (CPA) gives you up to 30 days to pay or dispute your ticket. It uses a three-tiered system for parking fines, the only one of its kind offered by a major city in Alberta: Tier One = Paying within 10 days results in the lowest possible fine. Tier Two = Paying between 10 and 30 days results in the next highest fine. Tier Three = Paying after 30 days results in the specified penalty. Check your parking ticket to see if there’s a link to review photos and/or videos of your infraction. If you dispute it, a prosecutor will review your submission and the evidence of the infraction prior to making a decision. To submit a dispute in Alberta, you will need: – A valid email address – Information/evidence as to why your ticket(s) should be reviewed |
Quebec
According to the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), drivers have up to 30 days to pay or contest a parking ticket in all major cities in Quebec. Citizens must pay their fines to retain their driving privileges. If you don’t pay the fine, the SAAQ will be notified and your privileges will be withdrawn until your debt is settled.
In cities like Montreal, a basic parking ticket will cost you $60 to $70, while more severe infractions, such as parking in a spot reserved for the disabled, may cost you over $270.
| How To Dispute It In Montreal, you can dispute a parking ticket as the owner or long-term lessee of a vehicle by entering a plea of “not-guilty” on the ticket and submitting it to the SAAQ online, by mail or email, or in-person. If applicable, make sure to provide explanations and proof related to the offense. Soon after, you’ll receive a notice of hearing in the mail. |
British Columbia
The Provincial Court of British Columbia can issue several types of parking tickets under the Motor Vehicle Act, which range greatly in cost from basic to more severe fines. In Vancouver, the lowest fine is around $25 for an expired meter and the highest is about $450 for parking in an accessible spot, like a handicap space, without a permit.
Fortunately, BC drivers are given up to 35 days (one of the longest grace periods of any province in Canada) to pay a parking ticket and avoid further penalties.
| How To Dispute It Although drivers have up to 35 days to pay a parking ticket in BC, most major cities only give you up to 14 days to dispute one, which you can do by mail, online, or in-person. The adjudication process involves various steps and can take 2 to 3 months to finalize. |
Manitoba
According to Manitoba Justice, residents have 3 options when issued a parking ticket:
- Admit to the infraction and pay the fine listed on the ticket
- Admit to the infraction but request a lower fine or more time to pay it
- Dispute the charge and request a court hearing
The response period varies based on the city and infarction type but will appear at the bottom of the ticket. Parking tickets don’t qualify for Manitoba’s Fine Option Program. In Winnipeg, early payments can be made within 14 days of a parking ticket being issued.
| How To Dispute It If you wish to dispute a parking ticket, request a hearing, or plead guilty but ask for a fine reduction, call the Provincial Offences Court toll-free at 1-800-282-8069 during the response period on your ticket. If your ticket was issued in Winnipeg, go to the Highway Traffic Matters building (at 373 Broadway) or call 204-945-3156 to plead your case. |
Saskatchewan
In Saskatchewan, you have 3 different options when issued a ticket (a.k.a. certificate of offense) under an act included in the Summary Offences Procedure Act, 1990:
- Pay the ticket
- Talk to the judge or Justice of the Peace about the ticket
- Plead guilty and go to trial over the ticket
If you do not pay a parking ticket, you (the registered owner of the vehicle) will receive a summons to Provincial Court in the mail, approximately 4 weeks after getting the ticket.
| How To Dispute It In major cities like Regina, drivers have up to 14 days of getting a parking ticket to pay it early. To dispute a ticket, contact the local registrar of Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench at 306-933-5135 for information on the appeal process. This process may also be available online or by post. Any costs related to the appeal are your responsibility. |
Newfoundland & Labrador
If you have been issued a parking ticket in Newfoundland & Labrador, you can pay or contest it through the province’s Justice and Public Safety department via their Fines Administration Division. According to Newfoundland Regulation 1997, the minimum fine is around $12 to $50 for the average parking ticket, which is lower than other provinces.
| How To Dispute It To contest a ticket in NL, fill out the information on your copy and send it to the Supreme Court. If you provide the right contract details, you’ll be notified of a time and place of your trial. Be warned that if you fail to appear at this trial, it will proceed without you. Additionally, there is a 30-day appeal period to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador (Trial Division) for decisions of the Traffic Court. If unforeseen but acceptable circumstances occur, the Supreme Court may grant you an extension of this time. |
PEI
In Prince Edward Island, parking violation rules also vary according to municipality. For example, a parking ticket issued in Charlottetown must be paid or disputed toward the Charlottetown City Police. Meter violations will be reduced to $10 if you pay them within 7 days of issuance, with the exception of Disabled or Blocking Sidewalk violations.
| How To Dispute It To contest a parking ticket in PEI, you can appear before a Justice of the Peace at your city’s Provincial Courthouse during working hours to enter a not-guilty plea. A time and date will then be set for your trial (not on the day you enter the plea). In cities like Charlottetown, you may have to fill out a parking violation dispute form with the police. |
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia has a variety of rules concerning parking tickets issued under the Motor Vehicle Act. In Halifax, the average parking ticket is about $35 to $150 and most are due 60 days following issuance. After that point, payment must be made toward a Provincial Courthouse in your area (rather than the Halifax Regional Municipality).
| How To Dispute It In Halifax, you have up to 14 days to dispute a parking ticket by requesting an administrative review for a number of violations. Appeals can be filed online, by mail, or in-person, and it may take 7 to 14 business days for Parking Services to inform you of the outcome. Tickets issued on private property cannot be reviewed by Parking Services. |
New Brunswick
In New Brunswick’s largest cities, such as Saint John, parking fines are based on the specific infraction and normally rise the more time passes from the date of issuance. The average ticket varies from $20 to $125 if you pay it within 15 to 30 days:
- Approximately 17 days after issuance, you’ll receive a reminder of the ticket
- About 30 days after issuance, you’ll receive summons to appear in traffic court
- Further hearings and consequences may occur if you fail to appear in court
| How To Dispute It You can file a Notice of Dispute with the court indicated on your ticket. This notice is available online or from any provincial court or Service New Brunswick location. You must deliver it to the court office (by mail, email, fax, or in-person) on or before the response due date. The court staff will then set a date and time for your hearing. |
Where Can You Pay For A Parking Ticket?
Once again, this depends on the regulations of the city where you received the parking ticket. However, if you want to pay a parking ticket, you’ll generally have four options:
- By Phone: On the back of your parking ticket, you should find a phone number where you can contact a designated office in your area for further instructions.
- By Post: You can also pay a parking ticket by mailing a cheque to your local traffic authority. Make sure to account for postal times if you want to pay early.
- In-Person: Your city may have several counter locations where you can pay a parking ticket in-person. Some tickets can be paid at your financial institution too.
- Online: Nowadays, most parking tickets can also be paid directly on your city’s parking violation website with an approved credit card, like a Visa or Mastercard.
Keep in mind that many cities will charge processing fees and applicable taxes when you pay parking tickets. For example, in Brampton (Ontario), you’ll normally be subject to a fee of $1.50 or $2.50 when you pay a parking ticket online or over the phone.
Final Thoughts
It’s best to pay your parking ticket right away to avoid any legal or financial consequences, which may only get worse the longer you wait. While your license won’t be taken away and your insurance rates won’t go up, letting a parking ticket go unpaid can eventually ruin your credit score and prevent you from driving legally, so make sure to act responsibly.
