Registration sticker expired — or just missing from the windshield
On the ticket this prints as: REG. STICKER-EXPIRED/MISSING
Street-parked with expired or missing registration sticker.
23.7%
of contested cases are dismissed outright — and 28.1% end dismissed or reduced. From 899,459 decided hearings in the city's own records.
Is it worth fighting?
Nearly a quarter of contested cases dismiss — notably better than inspection stickers. Registration RENEWED but sticker not yet displayed, misread stickers, and cured defects drive the wins.
What actually wins
Registration was actually valid (DMV records prevail over a misread sticker)
Renewed before the ticket; sticker in the mail — bring the DMV receipt
New-purchase grace period
Cured promptly — discretion is real here
Evidence to gather
DMV registration record/renewal receipt
Photo of the sticker
Purchase/transfer paperwork
Fighting it is free. New York lets you dispute online, by mail, or in person — no fee, no lawyer required, decision from a hearing officer. Start at nyc.gov → Dispute a ticket. Check the response deadline printed on your ticket, and answer before it to avoid late penalties.