Because your handle is "Newbie Driver", I am guessing you have recently started driving. If this is not the case or my statement below seems patronising, then I apologise. However I would really not like to be a driver starting right now, with all of the traps that we encounter on a daily basis, without understanding that the system (both council and private) is against you, and designed to use you as a revenue stream.
Council tickets / fines - Councils (particularly London councils) make huge amounts of money from traffic and parking fines, and they consider it a legitimate way to make extra money for their coffers. In the vast majority of cases, it is not administrated from a point of view of improving traffic flow or congestion. It is administrated from a point of view of making as much money as possible and punishing every mistake or misunderstanding by the motorist. A few pointers:
- Never stop on a bus stop, even for a few seconds. These are often enforced by cameras and you will get a ticket through the post
- Never stop in a box junction (the yellow hatched boxes) unless you are turning right. However annoying it is for motorists behind you, wait until there is room for you to leave the box on the other side before you enter. Never assume that the traffic flow will continue as it appears to be doing. Again, these are enforced by cameras
- Look out for bus gates and "flying motorcycle" signs, and never go through one of these unless you are sure you are allowed to, even if this is annoying for traffic behind you. Again, camera enforcement
- Always read the signs in council car parks before you leave your car there, and be sure you understand them
- If you get a ticket of any type, always come here - in the majority of cases there is likely to be a way out
Private "tickets" (you know it's private because it won't have the name of a council on it - These firms are despicable cowboys who will try to take your money whatever it takes. Be very careful when parking on private land, be sure you read any signs, and remember, they will be actively looking for a reason to try and ticket you.
- You probably never have to pay a private "ticket", although they will make all sorts of threats - always come here if you get one.
This is a bit of an epic, but I would really want to know this stuff if I were a new driver!
As regards your current "ticket" though, follow Mick's advice on posting up the details and you will get first rate help.
