Interest

Interest is the ongoing charge that accrues on unpaid violation debt once a civil judgment has been entered against the vehicle owner. Unlike late penalties (which are fixed surcharges at specific milestones), interest compounds over time on the total judgment balance, increasing the debt continuously.

NYC applies interest at a rate set by statute — currently 9% per year on judgment debt. While this may sound modest, it compounds on top of a balance that has already been inflated by late penalties. A $115 parking ticket that reaches judgment at $215 will accrue approximately $19 in interest per year, plus the original amount continues to be subject to collection actions.

For fleets, interest charges are a signal that violations have been unmanaged for far too long. By the time interest is accruing, you're also facing boot risk, registration holds, and collections. The goal is to never let violations reach this stage. Clear Plates identifies judgment-status violations where interest is accruing and prioritizes them for immediate payment.