Uh Oh, Ticket Trouble in Tinseltown? Here's the Lowdown on How to Check for L.A. Lurkers
Ever rolled into Los Angeles with sunshine dreams and beach bum aspirations, only to be met with a cold dose of reality thanks to a forgotten parking ticket? We've all been there. Fear not, fellow traveler, for this guide will be your beacon of hope in a sea of red citation lights.
Fessing Up to a Parking Peccadillo? The City of Angels has Your Back (Well, Sort Of)
Let's face it, sometimes those darn parking meters turn into ninjas, disappearing your quarters faster than David Hasselhoff can squeeze into a tank top. If you suspect you might have a friendly (or not-so-friendly) parking ticket waiting for you in the City of Angels, there are a couple of ways to find out:
- The City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation Website: This might not be the most exciting way to spend your afternoon, but it's efficient. You can search by citation number or license plate number https://ladot.lacity.gov/projects/parking-in-la/pay-your-parking-citation.
- The Old-Fashioned Phone Call: If you're feeling a little less tech-savvy, you can always call the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation's Parking Violations Bureau at 1-866-561-9742. Be prepared to hold for a bit though - sometimes even virtual angels get busy!
Here's a heads up: These resources will mostly deal with parking tickets. If you're facing a different kind of citation, like a speeding ticket issued by the LAPD, you might need to dig a little deeper (see below).
Beyond Parking: Hunting Down a Moving Violation in the City of Broken Dreams
Okay, so maybe your driving skills are a little less Hollywood action star and a little more "Benny Hill on a Scooter." No worries! If you're looking to track down a moving violation issued by the Los Angeles Police Department, here's your best bet:
- The Los Angeles Superior Court Traffic Division Website: This fantastic resource allows you to search for outstanding tickets by citation number, driver's license number, or even your name (although that last one might pull up some unexpected results like that time you accidentally won a pie-eating contest at a Lakers game). You can find it at https://www.lacourt.org/division/traffic/traffic2.aspx.
Pro Tip: The Los Angeles Superior Court Traffic Division Website also offers a ton of other helpful info, including how to pay your ticket online and how to contest it (if you think you've been wrongly accused).
Remember, Knowledge is Power (Especially When It Comes to Avoiding a Boot)
So there you have it! With a little sleuthing and these handy resources, you can uncover the truth about any potential tickets lurking in the shadows of Los Angeles. Now you can get back to the important stuff, like dodging tourists on Hollywood Boulevard and arguing with waiters about the validity of California pizza (pineapple does NOT belong!).