Ferndale Could Gain Revenue Under New Parking Ticket Law

A recent change in a state law regulating the issuance and renewal of driver's licenses could generate thousands of dollars in revenue for Ferndale and could have a big impact for many municipalities throughout the state.

Discussion about Senate Bill 0130 began in the state Legislature last year but it recently gained approval and was signed into law. Essentially, the bill amended the number of unpaid parking tickets a licensed driver may have before the Secretary of State will not renew the license.

The law previously allowed drivers to have up to six unpaid tickets before license renewal would be denied; the amendment lowered that number to three.

In Ferndale, more than 3,283 people have more than three unpaid parking tickets, Court Administrator Linda Carroll said. The majority of those accounts have between three to five tickets, but some have as many as 17 unpaid tickets.

Notices have been sent to those with multiple tickets issued in the city, warning them of the change in the law and the risk of nonrenewal/suspension, she said.

The impact of the law, while positive for the bottom line of cities, may create a flurry of activity in the courts as drivers rush to pay their tickets.

"I can't say we're busier because of it but we definitely have noticed a lot more people coming in and paying parking tickets because of the suspension law," Carroll said.

The total value of unpaid parking tickets in Ferndale is $137,743.80, she said.

"We're expected to probably gain some revenue that we weren't going to get," Caroll said, noting that the amount isn't likely to make a big impact for the city. "It will be interesting to see how much we bring in. I'm sure a good portion of it."

Why the change in allowable tickets?

State Sen. David Hildenbrand, R-Lowell, introduced the bill for the reduction in the number of allowable tickets. He said the idea came about while he was working with officials from Grand Rapids, where there were between $3 million to $4 million in unpaid parking tickets.

"We all hate getting parking tickets obviously, but if you do, you have an obligation. Driving is a privilege and paying a parking ticket goes along with all of the other responsibilities," Hildenbrand said, listing vehicle registration, license plates and insurance as some of the other responsibilities of owning and operating a vehicle.

Considering the financial difficulties most cities are facing, the revenue owed to the cities by drivers could be financially helpful, Hildenbrand said.

Essentially, anyone with three or more unpaid parking tickets will be flagged in the Secretary of State's system and the next time their driver's license must be renewed, officials will decline the renewal.

The renewal will not be processed until the driver addresses the unpaid tickets. In Michigan, driver's licenses are renewed every four years.

Ferndale issued 15,529 tickets last year, according to deadlinedetroit.com. Royal Oak issued the most tickets in the area at 99,150 tickets, Birmingham issued 31,844 and Berkley issued 3,623, the web site reports.

How to pay parking tickets

In Ferndale,  accepts payment by cash, check (no out-of-state checks), or money orders. Checks or money orders are to be made payable to 43rd District Court.

Anyone having trouble making payments can contact the court to set up a payment plan, Carroll said.

For more details, check the court website.