Posted by Larry Berezin on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 @ 09:48 AM
Has this ever happened to you? You have patients to treat at a 
NYC hospital. When you arrive at the hospital, you circle the block looking for a legal NYC parking space. 10 minutes later you are still circling the block to no avail. Finally, after another 10 minutes you become exasperated, park in a questionable spot, and pray you return to your car without a NYC parking ticket. No luck. That parking space cost you $115. Is there any solution to this NYC parking challenge?
Absolutely. Let's take a look at the NYC traffic rule covering parking of doctors' and dentists' vehicles. Kindly turn to Chapter 4 section 8(m)(4) and read responsively:
Where parking is prohibited by signs, but not where stopping or standing is prohibited, a duly licensed physician or dentist may park his/her motor vehicle, identified by 'MD', 'OP' or 'DDS' New York registration plates, on a road way adjacent to hospitals or clinics for a period not to exceed three hours. For the purposes of this paragraph, only those portions of a roadway corresponding to the shaded areas on the diagrams below shall be considered adjacent to a hospital or clinic. At other locations where parking is prohibited by signs, but not where stopping or standing is prohibited, a duly licensed physician may park his/her motor vehicle, identified by 'MD' or 'OP' New York registration plates, for a period not to exceed one hour while actually attending to a patient in the immediate vicinity.
Clear as a foggy day in London Town? Here are some frequently asked questions by our doctor and dentist clients, that my help remove the fog.
- Can I park without fear of a NYC parking ticket at a sign that says, "No Stopping" or "No Standing". NOPE. This rule only applies to signs that say "No Parking." You cannot park where stopping or standing is prohibited
- What if I am a NJ doctor, with NJ license plates containing "MD". According to the plain language, only a doctor or dentist with NY plates may take advantage of this rule. I suggest that any doctor or dentist with license plates identifying him as such may take advantage of this rule. Otherwise, any other interpretation leads to a ludicrous result. Unfortunately, we haven't tested our theory; but would be willing to do so.
- Which streets are considered "adjacent" to the hospital. The best way to answer this question is with a diagram. Please feel free to download a PDF file of the rule and diagrams.
- I don't understand the last part of the rule permitting one hour parking. Where, exactly can I park for one hour? All other locations where you are actually attending to a patient, in the immediate vicinity; so long as "Stopping" or "Standing" is allowed. "Immediate vicinity" is not defined. I guess you should apply common sense. My only concern is, will the Parking Violation Bureau do likewise.
Doctor' & Dentist' NYC Parking Rule
I sincerely hopes this helps you. Please post a question or comment. Your opinions matter to us.