The Appeals Board is an administrative process and therefore does not hold hearings for appeals. All appeals must be submitted in writing. Under special circumstances, administrative hearings will be considered if the appellant disagrees with the Appeals Board ruling.

1. What is an appeal?
2. How do I appeal a ticket?
3. Who reviews my appeal?
4. How are appeals decisions made?
5. How am I notified of the Board’s decision?
6. If my appeal was granted, what do I do ?
7. What do I do if my appeal was denied or the amount reduced?
8. What if I need more information?

1. What is an appeal?

The ticket you were issued is presumed to be valid by Parking and Traffic Services. However, if you feel that the ticket you received was given unfairly, you have the option to submit a written appeal. It is your responsibility to present all pertinent information that will enable the Appeals Board to come to a decision.

2. How do I appeal a ticket?

You must appeal a ticket within 30 calendar days of issuance. To appeal a ticket, bring the ticket with you to the Parking and Traffic Services office, located in the Public Safety building. You can receive an appeals form from the personal service representative or from the information kiosk in the lobby. For your convenience, the appeal form can be completed online.

The appeals form requires your full name, a valid mailing address, a valid email address, your AU ID number, and all ticket information, including the citation (ticket) number (if you do not have an AU ID number, place seven 0s (zeroes) in the field). This form must be completed in full. Incomplete forms will be returned to the appellant.

You will be asked to provide a concise reason for your appeal. You are to argue why the ticket is invalid. You may include diagrams or photographs to further explain your case. Please attach your ticket to the appeal and give it to the personal service representative. If you submit your appeal online, it will be immediately forwarded to the Appeals Board for processing at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

3. Who reviews my appeal?

The Appeals Board is comprised of members of the university community, who, in no way, are affiliated with Parking and Traffic Services or Public Safety. The Board meets regularly throughout the year to review appeals.

4. How are appeals decisions made?

Appeals are granted if an error had been made by the ticket writer. Unfamiliarity with American University’s parking and traffic regulations is not a valid excuse. Oftentimes, friends and other university community members may be misinformed about our policies, causing you to receive a ticket. When in doubt about our regulations, please contact Parking and Traffic Services at 202.885.3111. You may also view our rules and regulations on the web.

Examples of unacceptable appeals excuses are: “I’ll never do it again”, “There were plenty of empty spaces”, “No one else parked there had a permit”, “My friend told me to park there”, etc.

Tickets issued for parking in designated handicap parking spaces without the required handicap parking permit and falsification of permit are considered extremely serious violations.

5. How am I notified of the Board’s decision?

The board communicates all decisions by mail; therefore, it is important for you to include a valid address on your appeal form. While the board does meet regularly throughout the year, it could take up to a maximum of 4 weeks to receive a decision on your appeal. If you submit your appeal right after a meeting, your appeal will be considered at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

6. What do I do if my appeal was granted?

If your appeal is granted, the ticket will be dismissed and voided in our system. No further action is required of you.

7. What do I do if my appeal was denied or the amount reduced?

If your appeal was denied or the board approved a reduction of your fine, you must pay your ticket within 30 days of receiving your letter. The fine will double if you do not pay within the 30-day period. Payment may be made at the Parking and Traffic Services office, located in the Public Safety building. We accept cash, check, money orders, or credit cards. We accept all major credit cards, except American Express. These fines may not be billed to a student account.

If you are a full-time faculty or staff member, you have the option to have your fine deducted from your paycheck. Simply fill out the authorization section on the front of the appeals form.

8. What if I need more information?

The Parking and Traffic Services staff, located in the Public Safety building, is always available to answer your questions and to provide assistance. We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00am until 7:30pm. You can call us at 202.885.3111.

Remember, appeals forms may be picked up from the information kiosk located in the Public Safety lobby at anytime. Also, you may view the parking and traffic regulations, as well as complete the appeals form online.