How to get a 50% discount on your parking ticket if you live in Detroit

There’s a discount program for Detroiters who get parking tickets in the city — but the vast majority aren’t signed up for it.

The Parking Fine Reduction Program, also called the Detroit Discount program, was created in 2019 to alleviate the burden of parking penalties by offering eligible residents 50% off certain parking violation fees. But City Council President Mary Sheffield said during this year’s budget hearings that not enough residents seem to be aware of the program.

As of April 10, according to Michigan Department of State spokesperson Cheri Hardmon, there were 312,834 motor vehicles registered in Detroit. Of those, only 7,921 (or about 2.5%) were signed up for the city’s discount, said Keith Hutchings, director of Detroit’s Municipal Parking Department .

“There are always programs that individuals are eligible for but fail to participate,” Hutchings said when asked why participation is low.

The city said it notified media outlets when the Detroit Discount program launched, and there is information on its website that explains how to sign up .

“It’s crucial for residents to be well-informed about the array of resources at their disposal for saving money,” Sheffield told Outlier Media in an email. “With the escalating costs of living, groceries, and fuel, among other expenses, residents deserve relief wherever possible.”

Residents who registered for the discount collectively saved $506,137.50 on parking tickets in 2023, Hutchings said. Revenue raised from parking tickets goes into the city’s general fund , as mandated by city code .

Want to learn how you can get a discount the next time you get a parking ticket in Detroit? Read on for the details:

How do I sign up for the Detroit Discount program?

Drivers are eligible for the Detroit Discount program if their vehicle is registered in the city of Detroit and after they register for the program on the city’s website.

You must enter your vehicle’s license plate number and attest that you are telling the truth that your car is registered in the city.

Why aren’t eligible drivers automatically signed up?

According to Hutchings, the city does not have a database of license plates registered in Detroit. He said that database is owned and maintained by the state. When a vehicle is signed up for the program, the city queries the state to verify the vehicle’s license plate number is registered in Detroit.

Can I get discounts on all parking tickets?

The Detroit Discount program only applies to “no parking” tickets and tickets for expired meters, according to the program’s registration page. Other parking violations, such as parking too close to a stop sign, are not eligible. Also the discount will only be applied if you don’t have any other unpaid Detroit parking tickets on any vehicles registered to your name.

In order to get the discount for a parking ticket, you must pay the ticket within five calendar days.

How do I pay for a Detroit parking ticket?

You can pay a parking ticket one of four ways:

• Online through the ticket payment page ; it can be found through the ParkDetroit app by tapping Menu then “Pay ticket online.”
• Over the phone by calling 313-963-9630 .
• In person from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday at the Municipal Parking Department, 1001 10th St., Detroit.
• Through the mail: Write a check or money order made out to “The City of Detroit” with the ticket number as the memo. Mail the ticket with the check or money order (no cash) to the City of Detroit Parking Violations Bureau, P.O. Box 2549, Detroit, MI 48231-2549.

If I get a ticket, can I sign up for the program and still save 50%?

City officials say yes! After you get a ticket, sign up for the program. As long as your registration to the Detroit Discount program is processed in time and you pay the ticket within five calendar days, you will still get the discount.

Why is my parking ticket fee listed at full price?

Your ticket fee could be listed at full price when you attempt to pay if the ticket was for something other than a “no parking” or “expired meter” violation. Only tickets for these offenses are eligible for the discount. It also could be listed at full price if you got the ticket around the same time that you signed up for the program. However, the rate should be adjusted within “48 business hours,” according to the city’s website.

How much money can the Detroit Discount save me?

Fines for meter violations and “no parking” tickets (the two tickets eligible for the program) are $45. The discount is for 50% of the fine amount, so participants can save $22.50 per ticket.

Why does it say I don’t qualify?

Outlier knows some residents with cars registered in Detroit who try to sign up for the discount program will get a message that says, “You do not qualify for this discount program because your vehicle is not registered in Detroit.”

Neither the city nor the state gave us a satisfactory answer as to why the data might be wrong, both saying the other party was responsible. If your vehicle is registered in the city and you get this error message, contact us at newsroom@outliermedia.org .

How to get a 50% discount on your parking ticket if you live in Detroit · Outlier Media