NYC Violation Code 05: No Standing Except Buses
Parking violation · $115 base fine · 5-stage penalty escalation
Fine Breakdown
Base Fine
$115
Maximum (before judgment)
$215
Penalty Escalation Timeline
Base Fine
$115
At issue
+$10 Late Penalty
$125
After 30 days
+$30 Late Penalty
$155
After 60 days
+$60 Late Penalty
$215
After 75 days
Judgment Entered
$215
After 90 days
Quick Tip
Only authorized buses may stand in this zone. If the bus stop sign was missing or the zone was not clearly marked, photograph the location. Temporary construction may have removed signage.
When this ticket gets issued
Code 05 applies when a vehicle stands in a no-standing-except-buses zone without being an authorized or licensed bus. These zones include MTA bus stops, charter bus staging areas, and school bus waiting zones. Enforcement runs the full day at MTA stops and on a posted schedule at charter zones. A non-bus commercial vehicle that pulls into the curb to load, unload, or wait draws the $115 fine. Legitimate authorized buses with MTA, DOE, or charter credentials invoke the exception. Box trucks and vans using a marked bus zone for a quick delivery are the most common offenders.
How to fight code 05
Vehicle was a licensed or authorized bus
Attach the bus license or MTA/DOE authorization letter showing the vehicle was permitted to stand in the zone at the ticket time. Charter operators should include the event permit matching the location. A photo of the bus number and placard on the dashboard strengthens the submission.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_permit, written_account
Signs were missing, damaged, or obscured
Return to the ticket location and photograph the bus-zone sign from several angles. Document missing posts, covered signs, and any scaffolding. Bus-zone signs sometimes go missing during street reconstruction, which eliminates the driver's notice of the restriction.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_location, photo_of_sign
Vehicle was not at this location at the time
Produce telematics records, delivery confirmations, or toll data placing the vehicle on another street at the ticket time. Bus stops are tightly defined geographically, so a GPS trace on the next block is typically enough.
Evidence to bring: written_account
Wrong plate number on the ticket
Verify every character and the state code. Include a plate photo and the DMV registration. A plate typo on a code 05 summons combined with a vehicle-description mismatch usually clears the ticket outright.
Evidence to bring: photo_of_plate, photo_of_registration
Ticket contains errors (wrong date, time, location, or vehicle description)
Confirm the cross streets match an actual bus stop, and that body type, color, and make are right. Some code 05 tickets get written on blocks where the bus stop was relocated. Flag any blank mandatory field as a defect.
Evidence to bring: written_account
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a DSP or box-truck fleet pull into an MTA bus stop for a quick delivery?
No. Bus stops are no-standing zones at all times for non-bus vehicles. Even a 60-second freight drop triggers the $115 fine, and the commercial-loading exception does not apply. Drivers should route around marked bus stops when planning Midtown stops.
What if the MTA had relocated the bus stop but the sign was still there?
Photograph the old sign and the new stop location. If the posted sign no longer corresponds to an active bus route, the zone's restriction is defensible. MTA route changes are published online and can be attached as corroboration.
Is a charter bus with a valid NYC permit safe in any bus-only zone?
Only in zones matching the permit's scope. Charter permits designate specific staging locations, and a charter bus standing in an MTA stop without matching authorization still gets the $115 fine. Drivers should carry the permit visible on the dashboard.
What this means for commercial fleets
Bus-stop tickets concentrate on avenues with heavy MTA service (First, Second, Third, Lexington, Broadway) and hit every last-mile fleet that tries to shortcut curb parking. At $115 per summons, a driver who repeats the mistake across a single shift can generate four to six tickets in a day. The fix is operational: drivers should never use a marked bus stop regardless of how brief the delivery. Permitted charter and school bus operators must keep permits dashboard-visible and match them to the specific zone.
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Disclaimer: Clear Plates is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The information on this page is general educational content about NYC violation code 05 and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney. Defenses, evidence strategies, and hearing outcomes depend on facts specific to each ticket. For legal advice about a specific violation, consult a qualified attorney licensed in New York.