Just Explain It: Do I really have to pay that parking ticket?

If you’re an urbanite, chances are you’ve come across a shady storefront or dingy billboard advertising “Traffic Violation? Get off quick!” coupled with other low-level crime pardoning services.

Despite the sketchiness, they’re onto something. After all, parking tickets are as intrinsic with city life as raccoons and hot dog vendors.

In Toronto, 2.8 million tickets are issued annually according to the city and Vancouver handed out $26 million worth of parking tickets and fines last year. According to the City of Vancouver, less than 5 per cent of tickets issued for parking violations get cancelled.

The best way to avoid contributing to your city’s parking fine coffers is to pay attention to signage and set a timer on your phone to remind you when your parking is about to expire. Both Toronto and Vancouver’s parking services have apps that not only help you find spots but also tell you when your time limit is up.

But if the parking ticket lottery draws your number you don’t need Saul Goodman – you just need to know your options for slipping through the meter maid’s grasp.

Yahoo Canada Finance’s Ashleigh Patterson gives you the rundown on whether or not you should pay your parking ticket or fight it.