NYC Traffic Enforcement Agent DCAS Cheat Sheet

Direct agent action enhances clarity

Objective Tone

Factual narrative without emotionTone

Active Voice

Agent took direct actionClarity

Fragment Sentence

Incomplete thought or dependent phrase aloneError

Comma Splice

Independent clauses joined only by commaGrammar

Run-On Sentence

Unconnected independent clausesGrammar

Exact Time

Record accurate time in instructed formatTimestamp

Factual Specifics

State observable evidence onlyEvidence

Ordinary severity: No Stopping, No Standing, No Parking; check exceptions.

Voluntary stops; authorized exceptions still apply

1. Red curb paint→Verify signs and applicable rule(Paint alone creates no universal prohibition)
2. Posted No Stopping applies→No voluntary passenger/cargo stop(Traffic avoidance and authorized directions excepted)
3. Passenger car beside hydrant→Check all daylight exception conditions(Sunrise-sunset; seated operator ready)
4. Other standing restriction applies→Hydrant exception unavailable(Standing must otherwise be legal)
5. Approaching fire apparatus heard→Start motor(Move immediately on authorized direction)
6. Unattended vehicle near hydrant→No attended-passenger-car exception(Check posted and other lawful exceptions)
7. Passenger vehicle double parked→Attendance does not cure prohibition(Apply rule and authorized directions)
8. Commercial vehicle double parked loading→Check every 4-08(f)(1) condition(20 minutes alone is insufficient)
9. Commercial exception: underlying rule→Stopping/standing/parking otherwise permitted(Active pickup, delivery or service loading)
10. Commercial exception: usable space→Check usable spaces and loading zones(No more than 20 minutes)
11. Commercial space search boundary→Same side of same block(Usable available space defeats exception)
12. Commercial exception: traffic lanes→Cannot block only same-direction travel lane(At least 10 feet roadway width)
13. Commercial exception: bus lane→No standing in bus lanes(Obey authorized exceptions and officer directions)
14. Commercial exception: bus-lane edge→No standing on roadway side(Check sign-authorized exceptions)
15. Signs appear inconsistent→Read scope, arrows, hours and terms(Genuine conflicts require clarification)
16. Non-bus vehicle in bus lane→Check narrow applicable exception(Next-street turn differs from curb-cut access)
17. Curb-cut access from bus lane→200-foot qualification applies(Never generalize to every right turn)
18. Passenger bus-lane stop→Check curbside pickup/drop-off conditions(Do not wait or block buses)
19. Offset bus lane by parking→Cross into lawful parking space(Do not wait blocking buses)
20. No dashboard paper receipt→Check authorized electronic payment(Verify plate, zone, time, applicable grace)

No Stopping

No voluntary passenger or property stopsStrictest

No Standing

Active passenger pickup/drop-off onlyPassengers

No Parking

Also allows expeditious property loadingLoading

Traffic Exceptions

Necessary avoidance; obey authorized directionsRead rule

Hydrant Default

15 feet; posted exceptions may applyClearance

Hydrant Vehicle

Passenger-car daylight exception onlyVehicle

Hydrant Hours

Sunrise to sunsetTime

Hydrant Operator

Seated, ready for immediate operationReadiness

Hydrant Other Restrictions

Standing must otherwise be allowedRequired

Hydrant Fire Apparatus

Start motor on hearing approachRequired

Hydrant Official Direction

Move immediately when directedRequired

Passenger Double Parking

Ordinary passenger double parking prohibitedAttendance insufficient

Commercial Double Parking

Actively load/unload goods, tools, materialsConditional

Commercial Purpose

Pickup, delivery or servicePurpose

Commercial Limit

No more than 20 minutesTime

Underlying Restriction

Otherwise permitted: stopping, standing and parkingRequired

Commercial Available Space

No usable vacant space/loading zoneRequired

Commercial Space Scope

Same side of same blockRequired

Commercial Lane Direction

Cannot block only same-direction travel laneRequired

Commercial Roadway Width

At least 10 feet availableRequired

Commercial Bus Lane

No standing in bus lanesCheck exceptions

Commercial Bus-Lane Edge

No standing at bus-lane roadway sideCheck exceptions

Commercial Official Direction

Obey authorized officer directionsRequired

Multiple Signs

Read arrows, hours and special usesScope

Genuine Sign Conflict

Seek clarification; DOT/DOF guidance differsNo blanket shortcut

No Parking additionally allows property loading