How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Boston

Parking in Boston is rarely a stress-free experience, but seeing a bright orange ticket tucked under your wiper blade can ruin your whole week. If that ticket says "HP-DV Parking Only," you are looking at one of the more serious parking infractions in the city. The City of Boston takes accessibility very seriously, and the fines reflect that. Currently, the base fine for this violation is $120.00. While that number is high, it is important to understand exactly what happened and what your options are before you rush to pay it.

So, what exactly is an HP-DV violation? The code stands for Handicap Placard / Disabled Veteran. These spots are reserved exclusively for vehicles displaying a valid, state-issued disability placard or a Disabled Veteran license plate. The city enforces this to ensure that drivers with mobility issues have safe and convenient access to sidewalks and buildings. Because this is an accessibility issue rather than just a revenue issue, parking enforcement officers are generally very vigilant about these zones. Even if you were only "running in for a minute" or idling while waiting for a passenger, blocking these spaces is a strict liability offense.

However, mistakes do happen, and valid disputes are possible. One of the most common reasons for a dispute is that the driver actually possesses a valid placard, but it wasn't visible at the moment the officer walked by. Perhaps it slid off the dashboard, was flipped over, or was obscured by sunshades. In Boston, if you can prove that you held a valid placard at the time of the citation, you often have a strong case for dismissal. You will generally need to provide a copy of the placard and your vehicle registration.

Another angle for disputing this ticket involves the signage itself. Boston streets are old, and infrastructure can sometimes be lacking. Was the HP-DV sign missing, bent, or completely covered by snow or tree branches? Was the blue paint on the curb or the wheelchair symbol on the pavement faded to the point of being invisible? If the restriction wasn't clearly marked, you shouldn't be held responsible. In these cases, clear photographic evidence of the scene is your best friend.

Time is of the essence when dealing with Boston parking tickets. You have 21 days from the date of issuance to either pay the fine or request a hearing. If you ignore the ticket past that 21-day window, the city adds a $40.00 late penalty, bringing your total liability to $160.00. Additionally, unpaid tickets can prevent you from renewing your registration or driver's license at the RMV.

This is where Busted comes in. We believe that dealing with municipal bureaucracy shouldn't be a headache. Our web app allows you to manage your ticket entirely online. If you want to fight the ticket, we can help you assemble your evidence and formulate a professional dispute letter based on the specific circumstances of your violation. If you prefer to just get it over with, you can pay the fine securely through our platform. There is no need to download anything; simply navigate to the Busted web app to get started and clear that ticket off your record.