blog.cat.rights6 min read9/28/2026

Parking Fine Arrived With Late-Payment Charges: When the Surcharge Can Be Canceled

An envelope containing a municipal fine is often already a repeat demand: the original amount has increased, even though the driver claims not to have seen the first letter. Canceling the surcharge is sometimes possible, but merely stating “I received nothing” is insufficient—it is important to check the address, the method of dispatch, and the postal records.

Numbers and facts

•90 days—the usual period for payment or requesting a court hearing
•30 days—the period for requesting cancellation of the fine
•15 days—the presumption of service after dispatch
•50%—the first late-payment surcharge
•5%—the subsequent surcharge every 6 months

First Find Out Who Sent What and How

Ask the municipality or the company named in the demand for a copy of the original fine, the date it was issued, the address to which it was sent, the registered-mail tracking number, and proof of delivery or return. Compare that address with the one registered with the Population Authority and the licensing authority on the relevant date. Keep the envelope, the debt notice, the tracking printout, confirmation of the address change, and all correspondence. If the letter was sent by registered mail to the correct address, the absence of an actual signature does not by itself prove improper service.

Why “I Did Not Receive It” Does Not Always Cancel the Surcharge

Regulation 44A of the Criminal Procedure Regulations establishes a presumption of service: a fine notice may be deemed delivered 15 days after it was sent by registered mail, even without the recipient’s signature. An attempt may be made to rebut this presumption if the letter was not received for reasons beyond the recipient’s control and not because the recipient evaded delivery. An incorrect address, a confirmed delivery failure, a prolonged absence for an objective reason, or documents showing that the address was updated on time are therefore especially important. A simple assertion that the notice was not in the mailbox is generally much weaker than documentary evidence.

An Address Error Can Change Everything

In Supreme Court of Israel Case No. 5255/11, the Herzliya Municipality attempted to collect an old parking fine whose original amount was 70 shekels. Notices were sent not to the address that was current in the Population Registry and the licensing authority’s records, and the recipient claimed that he learned of the debt only much later. The Supreme Court held that the presumption of service does not assist an authority if the item was sent to the wrong address and did not reach the recipient. The Court also concluded that the notice had not been duly served, the limitation periods had not been interrupted, and the offense and the fine had become time-barred.

How to Request Cancellation of the Surcharge Specifically

Send a written application to the authority that issued the parking fine and state your requests separately: to provide proof of service, cancel the surcharge, and recalculate the debt to the original amount. Include the fine number, the vehicle registration number, your current address, and the dates on which you actually learned of the debt; attach documents proving the address error or postal failure. According to police information, after 90 days a first surcharge of 50% is added to the original fine, followed every 6 months by another 5% of the original amount. Do not delay your application: Supreme Court materials mention a case in which the debt on a parking fine, including interest, amounted to 150 shekels, while collection expenses reached 580 shekels.

When Court Proceedings Are Needed and How Not to Miss a New Deadline

If you dispute not only the surcharge but also the offense itself, a request for a court hearing is generally required rather than a letter requesting a reduction. For fines governed by the procedure for electing trial, the standard period for applying is 90 days from the date of service; a request for cancellation must be filed within 30 days. According to police guidance, one cannot simultaneously request cancellation of the fine and demand a court hearing, but after a cancellation request is denied, a request for a court hearing may be filed within 30 days after receiving the denial. If the original deadline has already expired because of alleged improper service, you should request acceptance of a late application and attach evidence of the actual date of receipt; the specific court with jurisdiction and the procedure must be checked using the details in the municipal notice.

FAQ

Can the surcharge be canceled if the first fine did not arrive?

Yes, grounds may exist if the authority sent the notice to the wrong address or the letter was not received for reasons beyond your control. Ask for proof of dispatch and service: a verbal statement that it was not received is generally insufficient.

Is the fine considered served if I did not sign for it?

A signature is not necessarily required. When an item is sent by registered mail to the proper address, the presumption of service applies after 15 days, but it can be challenged with documents showing an incorrect address or an independent reason for non-receipt.

Must I first pay the fine with the surcharge and then dispute it?

If a request for a court hearing was filed on time, official police guidance instructs the recipient not to pay the fine and not to submit a parallel application. For a municipal parking fine, the instructions of the issuing authority must be checked because the filing procedure and details may differ.

What should I do if more than 90 days have passed?

Prepare a request to accept a late application and explain why the deadline was missed, attaching proof of the actual date of receipt and information about the address. Official information for certain types of fines directs applicants, after the deadline has passed, to the Magistrates’ Court in the place of residence or where the offense was committed; for a parking fine, the competent court should be confirmed from the notice.

Will it help that I changed my address long ago?

Only if the change was registered on time and this can be proven. If the address in the official registry was not updated, the authority may rely on the presumption of delivery to the registered address.

What to do next

Do not limit yourself to a telephone call: request in writing the dispatch history, addresses, and debt calculation, and then compare them with the official records as of the date of the fine. If a service error is found, request cancellation of the surcharge and restoration of the opportunity to challenge the fine, attaching supporting documents and proof that the application was sent on time.