Act 50 of 2005 amended the Vehicle Code to enable the Philadelphia Parking Authority to work cooperatively with PennDOT to suspend the registrations of vehicle owners who have accrued six or more parking tickets.

Under the law, the Parking Authority is responsible for providing the owner or registrant with a written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, of its intent to seek suspension. The owner or registrant has 30 days to respond to the notification.

PennDOT suspends the registration upon notification from the Parking Authority that the owner or registrant of the vehicle has failed to respond, failed to pay or defaulted in the payment of six or more tickets or citations issued for parking violations in Philadelphia.

The registration on a vehicle cannot be transferred until the administrative stop placed on the vehicle record indicating a suspension is removed.

A suspension continues so long as the owner or registrant has six or more unpaid tickets or citations, or has agreed to make installment payments for the fines and penalties. If payments are not made, the suspension is reimposed.

When all of the tickets and citations are subsequently paid, dismissed, reversed on appeal or canceled, the Parking Authority notifies PennDOT to release the suspension.

The law is aimed only at Philadelphia because other Pennsylvania counties are allowed by law to arrest parking scofflaws. Philadelphia relinquished that power in 1989 because there were complaints from drivers about unfair treatment.