Credit and Debit Cards

Reports of meters that did not receive authorization for credit or debit card payment and, as a result, did not issue a receipt are not accepted.
If a bank does not authorize payment, the digital readout will read "unreadable card," "not paid," or "not accepted" and the meter will not issue a receipt. The credit or debit card account will not be charged. You can use coin payment to get a receipt from the same meter or you can try your card at a different meter on the same block.

Coins

You have approximately 40 seconds to deposit all coins. If all the coins are not deposited and the green button is not pushed within that time limit, the transaction is cancelled and any deposited coins are returned to you.

When the coin payment is not available at a parking meter, it will flash a red light and the display message will read "card payment only." You can pay using a card or try to make a coin payment at a different meter on the same block.

Credit and Debit Cards

If your credit card is stuck in a meter, contact the bank that issued the card and cancel it. After you report the issue, a Department of Transportation (DOT) crew member will be sent to the meter location to retrieve your card and have it destroyed. If you report a stuck parking card in a meter, DOT will retrieve it and mail it back to you.

Parking Cards and MetroCards

The sale of New York City Parking cards ended on December 13, 2018.

The Department of Transportation will retrieve your stuck parking card or MetroCard and mail it back to you. You must provide your contact information including address and phone number in order for the card to be returned upon retrieval. The exact street address and meter number are requested to expedite the location of the meter.

When a parking meter is out of service, it will flash a red light and the display message will read "machine out of order." You must use a functional parking meter on the same block or the next block to purchase a parking receipt. In a parking field, purchase a parking receipt from the nearest meter to the broken one.

If all parking meters on the block, on the next block, or in the parking field are all broken or missing, New York City law allows you to park for the maximum amount of time posted for that metered space. Make sure to document the date, time, and meter numbers in case you need to dispute a parking ticket.

You can request a refund for a parking meter that may have a payment problem. 

If you paid by credit or debit card, review your payment history to confirm that your card was charged for the transaction in question. Often, financial institutions post charges after the date of the actual transaction.

Request the refund in writing and include:  

• The date and time of the incident
• The parking meter number
• The location of the parking meter
• A description of the problem
• A copy of parking meter receipt, if available
• Documentation showing overpayment, such as a copy of the credit card statement, if applicable 

Send your request and supporting documents to:

DOT Parking Administration
Muni-Meter Refunds
34-02 Queens Boulevard
Long Island City, NY 11101

What Happens Next

The Department of Transportation will investigate your claim and send you a letter of determination.