How to pay a parking ticket in New York City
You can pay a New York City parking ticket online through the Department of Finance website, by mail, by phone, or in person at a payment location. The fastest method is online at nycparkingtickets.com, where you enter your ticket number and pay by credit card, debit card, or e-check. Payment by phone goes through the same system: call 311 and select the parking ticket payment option, or call the Department of Finance directly at 646-506-2700.
If you prefer to pay in person, the Department of Finance has payment locations across all five boroughs. You can find the nearest office on the Department of Finance website by entering your borough. Payment by mail requires you to send a check or money order to the address printed on your ticket, along with the ticket itself or a copy of it. Mail payments take longer to process, so if your payment important date is approaching, use online or phone payment instead.
The payment important date is typically 30 days from the date the ticket was issued. If you pay after the important date, you will owe a late penalty on top of the original fine. The ticket itself will show the exact amount due and the important date date.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through nycparkingtickets.com is the fastest option and takes just a few minutes with your ticket number and a credit or debit card.
- You have 30 days from the ticket issue date to pay before late penalties are added to your balance.
- If you disagree with the ticket, you can request a hearing through the Department of Finance instead of paying when ready.
- Unpaid tickets can result in vehicle registration holds, boot placement on your car, or referral to a collection agency.
- The Department of Finance offers payment plans for tickets over a certain amount if you cannot pay in full by the important date.
Contesting a ticket instead of paying
If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can request a hearing before paying. You have 30 days from the ticket issue date to submit a hearing request. The fastest way is to request a hearing online at nycparkingtickets.com using your ticket number. You can also mail a written request to the address on the ticket or submit it in person at a Department of Finance office.
When you request a hearing, you are not admitting fault, and you do not have to pay the fine while your case is pending. A hearing officer will review the evidence you submit and the officer's notes. You can submit photos, witness statements, or documentation showing the sign was obscured or missing. The hearing officer will mail you a decision within several weeks.
If the hearing officer upholds the ticket, you will then owe the full fine plus any late penalties that have accrued. If the ticket is dismissed, you owe nothing. Either way, the hearing decision is final and cannot be appealed to a higher court through this process.
What happens if you do not pay
The Department of Finance has several enforcement tools for unpaid tickets. After 60 days without payment, your vehicle registration may be flagged, which means you cannot renew it until the ticket is paid. After 120 days, the city can place a boot on your vehicle, immobilizing it until you pay the fine and a boot removal fee. The boot fee is separate from the ticket amount and is set by the city.
If a ticket remains unpaid for an extended period, the Department of Finance can refer it to a collection agency. This can damage your credit score and result in wage garnishment or bank account levies. The longer you wait, the more expensive the total cost becomes.
If your vehicle is booted, you must pay the ticket, the boot fee, and any additional late penalties to have the boot removed. You can pay these fees online, by phone, or in person at a Department of Finance office. Once payment is processed, the city will send a removal notice to the towing company, and the boot will be removed within a few hours.
Setting up a payment plan
If your ticket fine is $350 or more, you may be able to set up a payment plan through the Department of Finance. A payment plan allows you to pay the ticket in installments over several months rather than in one lump sum by the important date. You can request a payment plan online at nycparkingtickets.com, by calling 646-506-2700, or in person at a Department of Finance office.
To set up a plan, you will need to provide your ticket number and information about your income and expenses. The Department of Finance will determine whether you meet the criteria and what monthly payment amount is feasible. Once approved, you will receive a payment schedule showing the due date for each installment. If you miss a payment, the plan may be cancelled and the full balance will become due when ready.
Payment plans do not stop late penalties from accruing if your original important date has passed. However, setting up a plan before the important date can prevent additional penalties from being added. If you are struggling to pay, contacting the Department of Finance before the important date is important.
Understanding the fine amount and what it covers
Parking ticket fines in New York City vary depending on the violation. Common violations include parking in a no-parking zone, expired meter, fire hydrant, or handicapped space. Each violation type has a set fine amount established by the city. The fine is printed on the ticket itself.
The fine covers only the violation penalty. It does not include towing fees if your car was towed, boot removal fees if a boot was placed on your vehicle, or late penalties if you pay after the important date. These are separate charges added on top of the original fine. If your car was towed, you will receive a separate notice from the towing company with towing and storage fees.
If you received a ticket for a violation you did not commit—for example, the sign was missing or obscured—a hearing is your option to dispute the fine. The hearing process is free and does not require a lawyer.
Checking your ticket status and payment history
You can check whether a ticket has been paid and view your payment history at nycparkingtickets.com. Enter your ticket number to see the current status, the amount owed, and the important date. The website also shows any payments you have made and the date they were processed.
If you paid a ticket but the website still shows it as unpaid, the payment may not have been processed yet. Online and phone payments typically appear within one to two business days. Mail payments take longer, sometimes up to two weeks. If more than two weeks have passed since you paid online or by phone and the ticket still shows as unpaid, contact the Department of Finance at 646-506-2700 to verify the payment was received.
You can also request a receipt or proof of payment from the Department of Finance if you need documentation for your records. This is useful if you are disputing a late penalty or if you need to show proof of payment to your insurance company or lender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a parking ticket with a credit card?
Yes, you can pay with a credit card, debit card, or e-check online at nycparkingtickets.com or by phone at 646-506-2700. In-person payments at Department of Finance offices accept cash, checks, and credit or debit cards. Mail payments must be by check or money order.
What if I lost my ticket and do not have the ticket number?
You can search for your ticket using your license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN) at nycparkingtickets.com. If you cannot find it online, call the Department of Finance at 646-506-2700 and provide your license plate number. They can look up any outstanding tickets on your vehicle.
Do I have to pay a parking ticket if I was not the one driving?
The ticket is issued to the vehicle owner, not the driver. As the registered owner, you are responsible for paying the ticket regardless of who was driving. You cannot transfer the ticket to the person who was actually driving. However, you can request a hearing and present evidence that someone else was driving if you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly.
Can a parking ticket affect my credit score?
An unpaid parking ticket does not when ready affect your credit score. However, if the ticket is referred to a collection agency after remaining unpaid for an extended period, it can be reported to credit bureaus and damage your credit. Paying the ticket before it reaches collection status prevents this.
What is the difference between a parking ticket and a tow notice?
A parking ticket is a fine for a violation like expired meter or no-parking zone. A tow notice means your car was removed from its parking spot and taken to a towing facility. You will receive both a parking ticket and a separate tow notice with storage fees. You must pay both to recover your vehicle.