Handling Parking Tickets on Rental Cars: A Comprehensive Guide

When traveling, it's important to be aware of any potential issues that could arise, especially if you rent a car. Parking tickets while renting a vehicle can lead to complications, including additional charges that may be automatically deducted from your credit card. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to handle these situations, offering tips and potential outcomes.

Introduction to Rental Car Parking Tickets and Credit Card Charges

If you receive a parking ticket while renting a car, the rental company will charge your credit card with the cost of the ticket and often an administrative fee. This can be particularly problematic if the ticket is incorrectly attributed to you. To avoid such complications, it is crucial to take steps to verify and dispute any incorrect tickets if necessary.

Personal Experience: Proving Innocence from a Parking Ticket

I rented a car from National Car Rental to drive into New Jersey from Pennsylvania. A few weeks after returning the car, they advised me that there was a parking ticket written against the vehicle during my rental period. I was confident that I did not park illegally, so I asked for more information. They provided an address in Philadelphia, which was far from the route I had driven.

After providing evidence of my journey, National finally sent a letter absolving me of the issue. Fast forward a few years, I found myself in Atlanta at the Enterprise counter to pick up a reserved car. Unfortunately, due to the unresolved ticket, they refused to honor the reservation. It turned out that Enterprise, which owns National, still had the information about the unpaid ticket.

After an hour of negotiation, they finally found a person who could validate my story, allowing me to leave with a free upgrade. The moral of the story is to either pay the ticket on time or provide clear evidence of your innocence if the ticket is incorrectly attributed to you.

Two Choices: Paying the Ticket or Allowing the Rental Company to Handle It

There are two main choices when dealing with a parking ticket on a rental car:

Paying the Ticket on Time

If the ticket is legit, it's best to pay the ticket on or before the due date to avoid additional charges. By doing so, you only incur the cost of the ticket, which is typically less than the administrative fees.

Leveraging the Rental Company to Handle the Ticket

Alternatively, you can let the rental company handle the ticket. They will pay the ticket and charge you both the cost of the ticket and an administrative fee. This option is usually more expensive, but it can be a quicker and less time-consuming solution.

Dealing with Toll Tickets on Rental Cars

Another common complication when renting a car is receiving a ticket for not paying tolls. In one instance, while on the Illinois Turnpike, I failed to get the toll amount to register in the machine. Despite throwing three times the amount owed into the machine without a valid charge, I received a ticket for $2.25.

Enterprise attempted to charge me around $100 in fees. I refused, informing both Enterprise and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) that they could keep their service. I included statements from passengers confirming that we had indeed paid the toll and sent a letter to the California Department of Justice.

The personal experience underscores the importance of being proactive and assertive when faced with ticketing issues. It's crucial to verify the accuracy of the ticket, and if necessary, provide solid evidence to support your claims.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when dealing with parking tickets on rental cars, it is essential to either pay the ticket promptly or provide clear evidence of your innocence. Additionally, being proactive and assertive can help you avoid additional fees and potential complications. Remember, the key is diligence and prompt action.