You get a boot (or wheel clamp) on your car primarily due to unpaid parking tickets, traffic fines, or delinquent vehicle registration fees. It's an enforcement action used by city authorities or private parking companies to immobilize your vehicle until the debts are settled. The most common reasons include accumulating a certain threshold of unpaid violations, often set by local municipal codes.
The process is typically administrative. Enforcement officers, often from a city's Department of Finance or Transportation, use license plate recognition systems to identify vehicles with outstanding penalties. Once a vehicle on the "boot list" is located, the officer attaches the metal clamp to a wheel, making it impossible to drive away. A notice is left on the windshield explaining the reason and the steps for removal.
To get the boot removed, you must resolve the underlying issue. This involves paying all outstanding fines and fees, which can include the boot removal fee itself and a potential tow lot storage fee if your car is relocated. Payment is usually required in full via cash, credit card, or certified bank check at a specified office or impound lot. After payment, a certified officer will remove the device.
| Common Reasons for Booting & Associated Data | Typical Fine Range (Varies by City) | Common Threshold for Action |
|---|
| Unpaid Parking Tickets | $40 - $150 per ticket | 2-5 unpaid tickets |
| Expired or Suspended Registration | $50 - $300+ | 6+ months expired |
| Outstanding Traffic Camera Violations (Red Light/Speed) | $50 - $100 per violation | 3+ unpaid violations |
| Unpaid Tolls | Cost of tolls + administrative fees | $100+ in unpaid tolls |
| Boot Removal Fee (Separate from fines) | $100 - $250+ | N/A |
The best strategy is prevention. Always pay your fines on time or contest them through the proper channels if you believe they were issued in error. If you discover a boot on your car, contact the phone number on the notice immediately for instructions; attempting to remove it yourself is illegal and will result in additional criminal charges and significant damage to your vehicle.
