Where to pay your San Francisco parking or traffic ticket
You can pay an SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) ticket online, by mail, by phone, or in person at their office. The online option is fastest — you go to sfgov.org/sfmta, enter your citation number and license plate, and pay by credit card or debit card. No account signup is required.
If you prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check or money order to the address printed on your citation, call 311 from within San Francisco or (415) 701-2311 from outside the city, or visit the SFMTA office in person at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on weekends and city holidays.
Payment important date matter. You typically have 21 days from the citation date to pay or contest the ticket. If you miss that window, late fees are added and the city can report the debt to collection agencies or suspend your vehicle registration.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through sfgov.org/sfmta is the fastest method and requires only your citation number and license plate.
- You have 21 days from the citation date to pay or contest; missing this important date triggers late fees and potential collection action.
- Payment by phone (311 or 415-701-2311), mail, or in-person at 1 South Van Ness Avenue are all accepted, though they take longer to process.
- Credit cards, debit cards, checks, and money orders are all accepted payment methods depending on which route you choose.
What happens when you pay online
When you pay through the SFMTA website, the transaction processes when ready. You receive a confirmation number on screen and by email, which serves as your receipt. The city records your payment the same day, so you do not need to worry about the ticket appearing on your driving record or affecting your registration after that point.
Keep your confirmation number and email receipt. If a question arises later about whether you paid, you have proof. The SFMTA system is reliable, but having documentation protects you if there is ever a discrepancy.
Payment by mail or phone
If you mail a check or money order, include your citation number on the check itself and mail it to the address on your ticket. The SFMTA processes mail payments, but they take longer — typically 7 to 10 business days to show up in their system. During that window, your ticket may still appear as unpaid if you check online.
Paying by phone through 311 or (415) 701-2311 is faster than mail but slower than online. You will need your citation number and a credit or debit card ready. The representative will confirm your payment over the phone and provide a confirmation number, but you should still request an email receipt or write down the confirmation number they give you.
In-person payment at the SFMTA office
The SFMTA office at 1 South Van Ness Avenue accepts walk-in payments Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can pay by cash, check, credit card, or debit card. Bring your citation or know your citation number. Payment is processed on the spot, and you receive a receipt when ready.
This option is useful if you are downtown or prefer to handle it face-to-face, but it requires traveling to the office during business hours. Parking near the office can be tight, so plan accordingly.
What to do if you want to contest the ticket
If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can request a hearing instead of paying. You have the same 21-day window to request a hearing as you do to pay. You can request a hearing online through the SFMTA website, by mail, by phone, or in person — the same channels used for payment.
When you request a hearing, you are not paying the ticket; you are asking the city to review whether it should have been issued. The hearing officer will consider your evidence and the officer's notes. If you lose the hearing, you will then owe the full ticket amount plus any late fees that have accumulated. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing.
Late fees and what happens if you do not pay
If you do not pay or contest within 21 days, the SFMTA adds a late fee to your ticket. The amount varies depending on the original fine, but late fees are substantial — often 50% or more of the original ticket amount. After 90 days of non-payment, the city can report the debt to a collection agency, which damages your credit and can lead to wage garnishment or bank levies.
The city can also suspend your vehicle registration if your ticket remains unpaid. This means you cannot legally drive the car or renew your registration until the debt is settled. If you are struggling to pay, contact the SFMTA office to ask about payment plans — they sometimes offer them for larger amounts, though this is not may provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a ticket that is not in my name?
No. The registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for the ticket. If you received a ticket for a car you do not own, the owner must pay or contest it. If you borrowed the vehicle, the owner should contact the SFMTA to discuss the citation.
What if I lost my citation and do not have the citation number?
Call (415) 701-2311 with your license plate number and the date you received the ticket. The SFMTA can look up the citation and provide the number. You can then pay online or through any other method.
Does paying the ticket mean I admit guilt?
Paying the ticket does not create a criminal record, but it does count as a violation on your driving record in California. If you want to avoid this, you must request a hearing and contest the ticket before the 21-day important date.
How long does it take for an online payment to show up?
Online payments process when ready and appear in the SFMTA system the same day. Mail and phone payments take 7 to 10 business days to fully process.
What if I paid but the ticket still shows as unpaid online?
If you paid by mail or phone, wait 7 to 10 business days for the payment to clear. If you paid online and it still shows unpaid after 24 hours, call (415) 701-2311 with your confirmation number to verify the payment went through.