Home / Advice / Broken Meter / ParkMobile Failure - 18 DCMR §2415
equipment malfunctionUnited States · Washington, DCDifficulty: Easy

Broken Meter / ParkMobile Failure - 18 DCMR §2415

DC operates parking meters and pay-by-phone (ParkMobile) under 18 DCMR §2415. Where a meter is broken (displays 'fail,' coin slot blocked, card reader broken) or where ParkMobile is unavailable due to network outage, a motorist who attempted payment cannot be cited. DC Code §50-2302.06 lists meter malfunction as a recognized defense.

Legal basis

18 DCMR §2415 (meters); DC Code §50-2302.06 (defenses); DC Code §50-2201.03

Sample appeal wording

[DATE] DC DMV Adjudication Services RE: NOI #[NUMBER] - Meter/ParkMobile Malfunction Dear Hearing Examiner: I contest NOI #[NUMBER] under DC Code §50-2302.06. The meter or pay-by-phone system at the cited location was non-functional, making payment impossible. Facts: • Meter ID: [NUMBER] at [ADDRESS] • Failure mode: [coin/card rejected / 'FAIL' display / ParkMobile error '[QUOTE]' at [TIME]] • Attempts at payment: [LIST WITH TIMES] • Adjacent meter: [also broken / occupied] Under DC Code §50-2302.06 and 18 DCMR §2415, a citation may not issue where the District's payment infrastructure fails. Exhibits: A) Meter photo timestamped B) ParkMobile error screenshot C) [Other] Dismissal respectfully requested. Sincerely, [NAME]

Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.

Beat It writes this argument automatically

Scan your PCN — our AI checks if this ground applies to your specific ticket, drafts a properly-cited appeal letter, and submits it to the council on your behalf. Only pay if you win.

Scan my ticket

Sources

  • 18 DCMR §2415
  • DC Code §50-2302.06
  • DC Code §50-2201.03

Related

Get the Beat It app

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play