Myth: Can you get a ticket if your parking decal is in the wrong spot?

If you have ever noticed a car with a decal in the wrong spot, you should know that the owner will likely get a ticket.

According to the FAU Traffic and Parking Web site, “Student decals are placed on the outside of the driver’s side of the rear windshield. The entire decal must be displayed unaltered. The decal must be visible at all times while the vehicle is parked on campus.”

Placing your student decal anywhere other than the driver’s side of the rear windshield can result in fines.

“A parked vehicle failing to display a valid parking decal or permit will be subject to a fine of $15.00,” explains the Traffic and Parking Web site. “[And] a vehicle that is parked in a lot designated for a decal other than the type of the decal affixed to the vehicle will be fined $25.00.”

Sophomore Edward Roman has gotten a ticket for having his decal inside his car instead of in the appropriate spot.

“I honestly never paid it. It’s been over a year. They said they would charge extra if it was late, but nothing ever happened,” says Roman, a mechanical engineering  major.

Senior Jose Gomez, however, got a ticket because his brother accidentally placed his decal in the front of his car.

“I park at the soccer fields sometimes because it’s easier. My brother stuck it on the front of the car instead of the back. I got a ticket for it,” says Gomez, a communication major. “I thought it was stupid. I tried to scrape it off, because people who didn’t have decals weren’t getting tickets. Then I got another ticket for not having a decal.”

Gomez was able to appeal his ticket for not having a decal but ended up paying for the other.

“They switched it from the front to the back and people got confused.”

If you are unsure of where to park, follow FAU’s parking rules until you can consult the Traffic and Parking Office.

The office requires that “all vehicles without valid decals or parking permits … park at parking meters and pay the appropriate fees.”

For any students who have their decal in the wrong spot, be aware that Traffic and Parking regulations are enforced 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which increases the chances of getting a ticket.

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1 comments

Where is my rights?

Fri Jul 17 2009 15:04

Now they are issuing tickets even if you have a decal affixed in the right place. Everyone is suppose to memorize all the rules even if they are confusing and not clear. Where are students rights anyway?
I recently got a ticket for parking my car in front of the library. I have a decal and I parked after 6:30 PM on the weekdays on a meter spot. The rules says I can park in there unless otherwise. Well there were nothing written saying that I could not park. I saw the guy that gave the ticket and talked to him. He laughed at me and said you can always appeal, but it's a waste of you time. Just pay the fine. WOW. FAU sucks and these low paid people too
I am just happy that I am graduating in december.

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