Skip to content

Above the Law: Parking Permit Abuse Study Released

Transportation Alternatives has released a study of parking permit abuse among New York City employees (as observed in nine neighborhoods). Their press release notes the study's key findings:
permit_abuse.jpg

Transportation Alternatives has released a study of parking permit abuse among New York City employees (as observed in nine neighborhoods). Their press release notes the study’s key findings:

  • Citywide, more than 3 out of every 4 permit holders (77%) use their permits illegally.
  • The NYPD is responsible for 46% of illegal permit abuse, by far the largest share from any single agency.
  • Of valid permits used illegally at the curbside (i.e. illegally parking at signs with riders forbidding that particular permit’s usage), the NYPD is responsible for 63% of the abuse.
  • Of permit abuse that caused safety hazards, such as blocking fire hydrants, parking on sidewalks, in crosswalks, intersections, and bus stops, the NYPD again leads the way with 61% of overall abuse.
  • Court Officers are responsible for the majority of fraudulent permits with 54% of the total, followed by Corrections, Court Clerks, and the FDNY.

See Transportation Alternatives’ website for the press release (pdf) and the full report (larger pdf), where the above photo appears.

Photo of Aaron Donovan
Before he began blogging about land use and transportation, Aaron Donovan wrote The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund's annual fundraising appeal for three years and earned a master's degree in urban planning from Columbia. Since then, he has worked for nonprofit organizations devoted to New York City economic development. He lives and works in the Financial District, and sees New York's pre-automobile built form as an asset that makes New York unique in the United States, and as a strategic advantage that should be capitalized upon.

Comments Are Temporarily Disabled

Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.

Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Opinion: Sean Duffy’s ‘Golden Age’ of Dangerous Streets

Ethan Andersen
December 15, 2025

‘I’m Always on the Bus’: How Transit Advocacy Helped Katie Wilson Become Seattle’s Next Mayor

December 12, 2025

Watchdog Wants Hochul To Nix Bus Lane Enforcement Freebies for MTA Drivers

December 11, 2025

More Truck Routes Are Coming To A Street Near You

December 11, 2025

Upstate County’s New Bus Service Will Turn A Transit Desert Into A Rural Network

December 11, 2025
See all posts