Paying a Parking Ticket

Parking tickets are issued for violations of various parking by-laws.

To make a complaint about a vehicle parked illegally or to inform us of any complaint concerning parking, contact Access St. John's.

Information on payment options is available on the provincial Justice and Safety website. The City does not accept payment for parking tickets. All payments must be made through the provincial government.

The City of St. John's does not have the ability to rescind a ticket. It is a court document and follows a set process for challenging tickets.

If you believe your vehicle should not have been ticketed, you can challenge your ticket. How to do this is on the back of your ticket.

To challenge the ticket, fill out either option two or option three on the back of the ticket. Option two is to plead not guilty and get a trial date. Option three is to set a plea date (i.e. once in court, plead guilty or not guilty). Whichever option you choose, be sure to fill out all required information or your ticket may not be processed.

Once the back of the ticket is filled out, deliver (in person) or mail the ticket to:
St. John's Provincial Court
Box 68
Atlantic Place
215 Water Street
St. John's, NL
A1C 6C9

The court must get the challenge before the default conviction date noted on the bottom of your ticket. The default conviction date is not a trial date.

If the default conviction date has passed and you want to challenge the ticket, contact the General Registry of the Supreme Court at 709-729-1137 for details on the appeal process.

Pleas
If you plead guilty by selecting option one on the back of your ticket, you must pay the associated fine. City Council sets the fine. Neither the Prosecutor nor the Provincial Court can lower the fine.

If you plead not guilty by selecting option two and are convicted at trial, you will be required to pay the fine.

If you select option three, you will either enter a guilty plea or not guilty plea in Court. You will pay the fine if convicted.

Disclosure

Disclosure is all relevant evidence (photos, officer notes, documents, etc.) related to your ticket that the Prosecutor will rely on at your trial. If you would like a copy of your disclosure before your trial date fill out the disclosure request form.

Trials

You must attend the trial date to contest your ticket. Failure to appear may result in a conviction in your absence. The Court cannot consider a written defense.

I paid my ticket as part of my vehicle registration; can I still challenge it?

When you pay a ticket, a conviction is automatically entered. If you wish to appeal the conviction you can contact the General Registry of the Supreme Court at 709-729-1137 for details on the appeal process.

What happens after I challenge my ticket?

You will receive a trial or appearance notice by registered mail. This comes from the Court depending on which option you have chosen.

Can't the City just cancel my ticket?

No. Once a ticket is issued by the City, it becomes a Provincial Court matter. Information is on the back of the ticket as to how you may contest the ticket.

What if I have an explanation for getting the ticket?

If there is any information you would like the Prosecutor to consider prior to your trial, send it to us by email or regular mail after you have contested the ticket. Be sure to include your ticket number and trial date.

Contact the Legal Department.

I can't attend on my trial date, can I change the date?

To change the trial date, contact the Provincial Traffic Court at 709-729-1004 (ext. 3) and fill out a postponement request. This form must be filled out at least 15 days prior to your trial date.

I've changed my mind. Can I cancel my trial date?

Only the Provincial Traffic Court can cancel a trial. To cancel, the ticket must be paid. If you pay your ticket, notify the Legal department and the Provincial Traffic Court: 709-729-1004 (ext. 3).

What if I received a default conviction notice but never got a ticket

See your default conviction notice for information about making a section 24 application to have your matter heard in Court. For further inquiries on this application process contact the Provincial Traffic Court at 709-729-1004 (ext. 3).

Paying a Parking Ticket

Parking-related by-laws