More F.A.Q.'s
F.A.Q.'s - Providence's New Booting Program
More F.A.Q.'s - Paying a Ticket
General Booting Questions:
- Who put the tire lock on my car and since when was that legal? The city of Providence, RI booted your vehicle because you have 5 or more in unpaid tickets. This may also include any penalties or late fees. You’ve also exceeded the extended grace period of 21 (for Rhode Island vehicles) or 28 days (for non-RI vehicles) given for the city to receive full payment from you.
- How can you do this without warning people, how where people notified? You have been mailed a warning letter and several overdue notices to the address your vehicle is registered to. You are required by law to notify the department of motor vehicles within 15 days of address change. Notices are usually mailed out on the 21st, 45th, & 90th day after the initial issuing date of the ticket.
- Do I have a parking ticket? What exactly am I paying for? Yes; the city of Providence, RI booted your vehicle because you have 5 or more unpaid parking tickets. You are paying the entire amount due plus any penalties that may have accrued including a $100 boot fee.
- How do you accrue late fees & penalties? Penalties accrued on the 14th and 28th day after the initial issuing date of each the ticket. Letters go out after each of these dates to notify you of these penalties. The maximum penalty offenses you get won’t exceed the 3rd one, 90 days.
- Isn’t it illegal to put a tire lock on someone’s car? It is legal for the city to seize your vehicle if you have 5 or more in unpaid tickets & the vehicle is found parked on public property/ground.
- What are the hours of booting? Your vehicle is eligible to be booted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you have 5 or more unpaid parking tickets.
- I was parked outside of my house, how did I get booted? Your car was parked on a public street, where it is eligible to be ticketed and booted.
- When did you start booting, how were people notified that you were going to start doing this? People where notified by local newspapers, local news stations, and individual mailed overdue notices.
- How long does it take for a ticket to show up in the system? Handheld computer generated tickets are entered within 48 hours. Manually issued tickets can take up to 2 weeks to show up in the system
- What is the city parking ordinance for this rule & where can the public find it? www.municode.com
Price, Payment, Payment Plan Option, & Fee Questions:
- I only have cash on me, what should I do? Cash payments can be made at the Providence Municipal Court. Payments can be made between 8:00am-3:30pm.
- If it is after hours and I only have cash will an officer come to collect the payment? How can a payment be made at this point? No, an officer can not collect the cash payment for you. You would have to make a payment by phone with a credit or debit check card or you would have to wait until the morning to pay cash at Municipal Court.
- I mailed my payment already, you should have received it. Why did I get booted? We have no record of a payment being received in our updated system. In order to have the boot removed you will still have to pay the full amount owed at this time. If a check is received after payment is made today, it will be voided and/or refunded.
- I just paid yesterday, I have a receipt, can you take the boot off? Before booting, we verify eligibility with the court, you should check with the Municipal Court and explain your situation.
- How much do I have to pay? Do I have to pay now? Do I have to pay the amount in full? You have to pay the amount that you have in outstanding tickets. You do need to pay now in order to have the boot removed. The amount is due in full and cannot be paid through a payment plan. You have 36 hours until your vehicle is towed and additional charges accrue.
- Can I make a payment on online & if so how long will it take to reflect in the system? If your vehicle has not been booted, yes you can pay citations online by credit card. You can visit the city website,www.providenceri.com, and use the link to “pay your parking tickets online”.
Boot Release
- Why do I have a self release boot? Why do I have to release it myself? This self release boot is a service put in place for your convenience; it helps you quickly get back on the road; You do not have to release the boot yourself, if you would prefer an assisted release, this can take place only during business hours (until 4pm, M-F).
- I will pay now but I won’t be able to get to my car until after lunch will I still get more tickets? While there is still a boot on your tire you will not accumulate additional tickets.
- Do I need to be near my car when the boot is removed? No, but if your car is currently parked illegally or you are parked at a meter then you may want to move it immediately after the boot is removed to avoid additional tickets.
Damage/Mishandling
- I drove away w/the boot on the tire, now what? Do not drive your vehicle any further, please keep it where it is. After making payment an officer will be dispatched to remove it for you. Remain clear of the vehicle if the vehicle is stuck
- There’s a boot on my tire but it was not locked properly and came right off, do I still have to pay? Yes. If you do not pay your vehicle will be put on the tow and impound list and the next time your vehicle is found in Providence, RI it will be towed and impounded.
- The boot damaged my tire, what now? The city is not responsible for any damages done to your vehicle. You will need to contact your insurance company regarding any damage to your vehicle.
Boot Return
- I can not return the boot within 24 hours what should I do? If the boot is not returned by 24 hours after a payment is made a $25 late fee will be charged to violator. You may apply for an extension by calling the toll free number which gave you the code to release the boot.
- Where should I go to return the boot? Public Safety Garage opposite the Police Station. See parking garage attendant 249 West Fountain St. Providence, RI 02903 MON – FRI 6:00AM to 5:30PM
Towing Questions
- My car was towed, what do I do? You can pay your delinquent Citations with Paylock over the phone, Paylock will fax a confirmation of payment to the impound yard and you can pick up your vehicle there after any additional towing or impound charges are paid. If you need to pay by cash you can go directly over to the Municipal Court to make full payment. After payment is made they will give you release paperwork that you’ll need to bring to the tow yard to redeem your vehicle.
- What tow yard do I go after I make a payment?
You will be informed of the specific location after payment is made.
- How long will my car stay at the tow yard? The car will stay on the tow lot for 30 days, at that time it will be eligible to be auctioned off.
- Will I have to pay any additional towing fees? Yes. $74 tow fee, $24 daily storage fee and $20 for a pickup after 5:00 pm.
- How often does the towing occur/how long do I have until my car is towed? Your car will be towed 48 hrs after you are booted if the fee is not paid.
- Why was my car towed right away? Your car may have been towed right away because your vehicle was parked in a tow away, or other emergency or no-parking zone.
- My car was damaged when it was towed, I would like to know how I can rectify this issue? You must contact the tow company and make your disputes with them directly.
Disputing Questions:
- How can I dispute this? You can call go to the Municipal Court Mon – Fri before 3:00PM. You will be heard if a Judge is available.
- How do I make a court date, will I be reimbursed if I appear in court, & how long will that process take? Call the Municipal Court immediately to schedule a hearing at 272-3121 (ask for the court)
- Is there anyone who can reverse these charges? Only a judge can reverse these charges.
Directions to Providence Municipal Court:
From 95 North take Exit 21 (Broadway). At light take left. At next light (Service Road #7), take left. At next light (
From 95 South take Exit 21 (
Municipal Court located across street on first floor in the Public Safety Complex.
Click to Pay your Parking Ticket
*The site has a VeriSign Secure Site Certificate
Contact Information:
Providence Municipal Court
325 Washington Street,
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 243-6414
