Where to pay your New York parking ticket
You can pay a New York parking ticket online through the Department of Finance's Parking Violations Bureau website at nycparkingtickets.com. This is the official city portal for all five boroughs — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. You will need your ticket number (a 10-digit code printed on the violation notice) and the license plate number on the vehicle.
Payment through the website is available 24 hours a day. The site accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. Once you submit payment, you receive a confirmation number when ready. The city processes most payments within one business day, though the confirmation itself proves you have paid if you need it for insurance or other purposes.
If you do not have your ticket number, you can search for unpaid violations using your license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN). This search function helps if your ticket was mailed to you or if you are unsure whether a violation was issued.
Key Takeaways
- Pay parking tickets online at nycparkingtickets.com using your ticket number or license plate number, available any time of day.
- You can contest a ticket through the same website by selecting the "Dispute" option instead of paying, which sends your case to the Parking Violations Bureau for review.
- If you miss the payment important date, the city adds a late fee and may report the violation to your insurance company or place a hold on vehicle registration.
- Contesting a ticket does not stop the clock on payment important date, so you must dispute within the timeframe shown on your notice even if you plan to pay later.
How to contest a parking ticket online
To dispute a ticket, log into nycparkingtickets.com and select the "Dispute" option for that violation. You will be asked to choose a reason for your dispute from a list of common defenses: the sign was obscured or missing, the meter was broken, you were parked legally, the violation was issued in error, or other reasons. You can also upload photos or documents that support your case.
After you submit your dispute, the Parking Violations Bureau reviews your case and mails you a decision within 30 to 60 days. You do not need to appear in person. If the bureau finds in your favor, the violation is dismissed and you owe nothing. If the bureau upholds the ticket, you then have the option to pay or request a hearing before a hearing officer.
Common defenses that succeed include: a missing or illegible parking sign, a malfunctioning meter that you reported to the city, or proof that the vehicle was not parked in violation (for example, a photo showing you were in a legal spot). Disputes based on "I did not see the sign" or "I was only parked for five minutes" rarely succeed, because the law does not require the officer to have warned you or given you time to move.
Payment important date and late fees
The important date to pay or dispute a parking ticket is printed on the violation notice itself. Most tickets must be addressed within 30 days of the violation date. If you pay after the important date, the city adds a late fee — typically $25 to $50 depending on the original fine amount. If you do not pay or dispute within the important date, the violation remains on your record and the city may take additional action.
Unpaid parking violations can result in a hold placed on your vehicle registration renewal, a report to your insurance company that may affect your rates, or a lien against your vehicle if the debt grows large enough. The city does not suspend your license for parking violations alone, but the debt can accumulate if multiple tickets go unpaid.
If you are unable to pay by the important date, you can request a payment plan through nycparkingtickets.com. The city offers installment options that extend the payment period, though you must request this before the original important date passes.
What happens if you lose your ticket or cannot find your ticket number
If you have lost the physical ticket or do not have the ticket number, use the "Search for Violations" tool on nycparkingtickets.com. Enter your license plate number and VIN (found on your vehicle registration or insurance card). The system will display all unpaid violations associated with that vehicle, along with the ticket numbers, violation dates, and amounts owed.
If you received a violation notice by mail but cannot locate it, the same search function will show the ticket in the system. You can then pay or dispute it online using the ticket number the search returns. If you believe a violation was issued but it does not appear in the search results, contact the Parking Violations Bureau at 311 (or 212-639-9675 from outside New York City) to confirm whether a ticket was issued.
Paying by phone or mail if you cannot use the website
If you prefer not to pay online, you can pay by phone by calling the Parking Violations Bureau at 311 or 212-639-9675. Have your ticket number and a credit or debit card ready. Payment by phone is available during business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You can also pay by mail by sending a check or money order to the address printed on your violation notice. Include the ticket number and your license plate number with your payment. Mail payments take longer to process — typically 10 to 15 business days — so if you are near the important date, paying online or by phone is faster and safer because you receive when ready confirmation.
Understanding the violation codes on your ticket
Each parking violation has a code number that describes the specific violation. Common codes include: code 71 (parked in a no-parking zone), code 72 (parked at an expired meter), code 73 (parked in a bus stop), code 74 (parked in a fire hydrant zone), and code 75 (parked in a handicapped space without a permit). The code determines the fine amount, which ranges from $45 to $115 for most violations, with higher fines for violations in commercial zones or near schools.
Understanding your violation code helps you decide whether to dispute. For example, if you received code 72 (expired meter) but you have a photo showing the meter was broken, that is a strong defense. If you received code 71 (no-parking zone) but the sign was obscured by a tree or construction, that is also disputable. The code itself is printed on your ticket and also appears in the online system when you search for your violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a parking ticket online if I received it in another state?
No. This guide covers only New York City parking violations. If you received a ticket in another state or city, you must contact that jurisdiction's parking or traffic authority. Each state and city has its own payment system and procedures.
What if I dispute a ticket but still want to pay it while I wait for a decision?
Yes, you can pay a ticket even after you have filed a dispute. If you pay before the bureau makes a decision, your dispute is typically withdrawn and the case is closed. If you want to pursue the dispute, do not pay until after you receive the bureau's decision.
Does paying a parking ticket online affect my driving record or insurance?
Parking violations do not appear on your driving record and do not directly affect your insurance rates. However, if you do not pay and the city reports the debt to your insurance company, that may influence your rates. Paying on time prevents this from happening.
How long does it take to get a refund if my dispute is successful?
If the Parking Violations Bureau dismisses your ticket, you owe nothing and no refund is issued. If you paid before disputing and the bureau rules in your favor, you can request a refund through nycparkingtickets.com or by calling 311. Refunds typically take 4 to 6 weeks to appear in your original payment method.
Can I request a hearing in person instead of disputing online?
Yes. If you prefer not to dispute online, you can request a hearing by mail or in person at a Parking Violations Bureau office. However, the online dispute process is faster and available 24 hours. If you dispute online and the bureau upholds the ticket, you can then request a hearing before a hearing officer, which is your chance to present your case in person.