TLDR: I’m British and traveled to Canada, got contestable parking tickets in Montreal on my Avis rented car which randomly had California plates. What could go wrong if I don’t pay?
First, sorry for the English. My French is far too basic for this and don’t want to use an online translator.
I am British and went to Canada for a holiday. I flew to Toronto and rented a car from Avis but it randomly had plates registered in California.
I spent a few days in your lovely city. We parked in a private lot near us arriving in the evening. We paid for 24 hours as the max we could do on the machine.
On the next day we got tickets from SPAQ. Our bad - we accidentally parked in the spaces marked as for monthly holders. Moved the car, got another 24 hour ticket and paid the $40 fine.
Second day, no issues. Paid another 24 hours. Noticed there were parking enforcement people every time we went past.
Third day, oh wow. Got another fine from SPAQ but now another from Ville de Montreal. Checked and rechecked the signs. Can’t see any issues with our parking. Can’t see any signs or anything saying we can only park for 24 hours. Was completely within the space. Was even in a different space than the car before as had gone somewhere the evening before in the car.
Is there any reason the tickets might be valid? It feels really unfair and wrong to me but my only option to legally challenge is to enter a pleaa of not guilty by post with a risk they set a court date in Montreal that if I don’t attend would be found automatically against me.
Is there any way they could find out from the California authorities that the car is registered to Avis? This is my main worry as they would just pay and recharge me with an admin fee.
What other potential risks do I run by not paying them?
Thanks in advance!
The rental company will charge you directly for any tickets owing…so chat with them about the situation and review the ways to contest it. I was abke to send in photos right after the ticket and the city nullified it.
Also side note: rental cars have plates from all over North America because people do one way trips often. The parking enforcement will know who the car belongs to via a Data sharing agreement for plate look ups.
I can’t speak to your specific circumstances on whether the parking ticket is warranted or not but unfortunately you actually can’t contest the ticket yourself as only the owner of the vehicle (in this case Avis) is allowed to contest. https://montreal.ca/en/how-to/contest-statement-offence#%3A~%3Atext=Who+can+contest
That being said, I’d suggest reaching out to Avis directly as I’m fairly certain your rental contract would guarantee they’ll charge you an additional admin fee if they pay the tickets on your behalf which they will absolutely do to ensure their vehicle doesn’t incur additional fines for unpaid tickets.
I’ve gotten tickets from the City of Montreal with out of province plates. They can only enforce payment on Quebec plates. That one does not matter but I am not sure about the SAQ ticket.
@brewery With Covid a lot of courts now allow doing these hearings remotely. I’d have a quick look to see if the City of Montreal offers it. Specially in your situation, I’m sure if you call up the court clerk and explain your situation they can point you in the right direction.
Did you take any photos? Without documentation you will lose.
It’s a rental. Talk to the rental company.
