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Project 20 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?
A: By reading our Eligibility Criteria statement. Individuals who do not meet the critieria will be unable to participate.

Q: HOW MANY HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS MUST I PERFORM?
A: The number of hours is determined by the amount of the fine assessed and the type of fine incurred. Parking and traffic fines are assessed at different rates.  For parking fines, community service is performed at the rate of $6 per hour, for example: $120 parking fines would require 20 hours of community service.  For traffic fines, community service is performed at a rate of $10 per hour.  Please note that Project 20 does not set these rates.

Q: CAN I MAKE PAYMENTS ON MY FINE?
A: Yes, Project 20 also has a payment installment plan for cases referred from the Department of Parking and Traffic (DPT) as long as the payments are made in full within the allotted time designated by the DPT.

Q: IS THERE A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF CITATIONS ALLOWED FOR Project 20 WORK?
A: Yes, there is a limit of 10 citations total (or $250.00) per vehicle per calendar year, (January 1 through December 31). Beyond this, a citizen can still sign up for Project 20 but will be required to pay 50% of the contract fine amount, and the remainder can be worked off in community service hours.

Q: CAN I DO MY Project 20 WORK ANYWHERE?
A: No, since the citations were issued in San Francisco, the community service must be completed in San Francisco. We encourage clients to participate with the NEW citY! DPW community service project because it’s the quickest way to complete the program while helping to beautify San Francisco’s neighborhoods.

Q: IS THERE A SIGN-UP FEE?
A: YES! Project 20 charges a nominal program administration fee which is based on the amount of assigned community service hours.

Q: WHY MUST I PAY A PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION FEE TO DO Project 20?
A: Project 20 operates solely on program administration fees collected. This program receives no city, state or federal funds and its existence relies entirely on the nominal fees paid by its clients.

Q: WHAT IF I AM HAVING A PROBLEM COMPLETING MY HOURS ON TIME?
A: Effective January 2005 all Project 20 clients are required to complete their community service program hours on a timely basis.

Q: WHAT IF I DO NOT COMPLETE MY Project 20 ON TIME?
A: All citations on your PROJECT 20 will then be placed back on the vehicle in which they were incurred and must be paid to DPT. You CANNOT re-apply to Project 20 for any citations that you have previously failed to work off.

Q: CAN I GET AN ABSTRACT FOR D.M.V. REGISTRATION AFTER I SIGN UP FOR Project 20?
A: NO, an abstract is issued after completion of all community hours as required. However, you can pay your registration and receive a receipt of payment. Upon completion of Project 20, you will be issued a verification form and it is your responsibility to take this form to the DPT to obtain an abstract. This process will release your stickers when you go to the DMV for vehicle registration.

Q: CAN I PROTEST THE CITATIONS AFTER I SIGN UP FOR Project 20?
A: NO, once you have signed the contract for specific citations, you have WAIVED your right to protest them.

Q: CAN I SIGN UP FOR Project 20 AFTER A HEARING?
A: NO, you have waived your right to do Project 20 when you sign up to see a Hearing Officer.

Q: IF MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED, CAN I GET A RELEASE FROM CITY TOW BY SIGNING UP FOR Project 20?
A: NO, a release will not be issued for the vehicle until ALL assigned hours have been COMPLETED and ALL fees paid.

Q: IS THERE A MINIMUM HOUR COMMITMENT NEEDED IN ORDER TO SIGN UP FOR Project 20?
A: YES, there is an 8-hour minimum commitment required per contract.

Q: HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN SIGN UP FOR Project 20 PER CONTRACT?
A: Only one person per contract per vehicle is allowed.

Q: IF I ACCUMULATE MORE CITATIONS ON MY VEHICLE CAN I ADD THOSE CITATIONS TO MY Project 20 CONTRACT?
A: NO, You must complete your original contract before you will be allowed to sign up for a second contract.

Q: DO I NEED SOME FORM OF I.D. TO SIGN UP AT DPT?
A: YES, a photo ID is required to sign up for Project 20. (Passport, drivers license, C.A.I.D).

Q: I’VE ALREADY BEEN TO DEPARTMENT OF PARKING AND TRAFFIC, HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO REPORT TO THE Project 20 OFFICE TO BEGIN MY PROGRAM?
A: You have 5 working days from the signing of the contract to report to the Project 20 office.

Q: CAN I REQUEST A REFUND FOR ANY CITATIONS COMPLETED THROUGH PROJECT 20 AS WELL AS PAID AT D.P.T. OR D.M.V.?
A: NO, refunds are not issued.

Q: IF I SIGN UP FOR Project 20, CAN I GET A RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT?
A: YES, but you must show a copy of your Project 20 contract to the Residential Parking office.

Q: IF I CHOOSE TO DO PART OF MY REQUIRED Project 20 HOURS, CAN I PAY THE DIFFERENCE OF THE HOURS LEFT?
A: YES, as long as you are within the allowable time frame, you can pay the difference by appearing at the Project 20 office and remit the balance.

Q: DO I NEED TO BRING A VERIFICATION FORM BACK TO D.P.T. AFTER I COMPLETE MY Project 20 ASSIGNMENT?
A: Only if you need to register your vehicle or to sign up for another Project 20 assignment.

Q: WHO CAN SIGN UP FOR Project 20?
A: The person must be over 18 years of age and a registered owner of the vehicle.

Q: CAN ANYONE ELSE PERFORM MY COMMUNITY SERVICE?
A: NO, only the person named on the contract will be authorized and allowed to perform the community service.

Revised: 10/05 (JW)

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