Where to pay your Los Angeles parking ticket

You can pay a Los Angeles parking ticket through the Department of Transportation (LADOT) online portal, by mail, in person, or by phone. The online option is the fastest — you can pay within minutes using a credit or debit card. You will need your citation number, which appears on the ticket itself, usually in the upper right corner.

If you prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check or money order to the address printed on the back of your ticket. Payment by phone is also available; call the number listed on your citation. In-person payment happens at LADOT payment locations throughout Los Angeles, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

Key Takeaways

  • The LADOT online payment system is the quickest way to pay and requires only your citation number and a credit or debit card.
  • You can also pay by mail, phone, or in person at LADOT locations, though these methods take longer to process.
  • Payment important date vary depending on when you received the ticket and whether you have already received a notice of increased penalty.
  • If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can request a hearing before paying, though this delays the process.
  • Late payment can result in additional penalties, vehicle registration holds, and collection referrals.

Payment important date and what happens if you miss them

Your initial important date to pay or contest the ticket is typically 21 days from the date you received it. This date is printed on the ticket itself. If you do not pay or request a hearing by that date, LADOT will send you a notice of increased penalty, which raises the fine amount and gives you a new important date, usually 21 days from the notice date.

If you miss the second important date, the case may be referred to a collection agency, and LADOT can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. This means you cannot renew your registration until the ticket is paid. The longer you wait, the more the total cost grows because of added penalties and collection fees.

What information you need to pay online

To pay through the LADOT online system, have your citation number ready — this is the ticket number printed on your parking citation. You will also need a valid credit or debit card. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You do not need to create an account; you can pay as a guest.

When you enter your citation number, the system will display the fine amount, any penalties that have been added, and the current important date. Review this information carefully before completing payment. Once you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number via email, which serves as your receipt.

Paying by mail or phone

If you choose to pay by mail, write your citation number on the check or money order and send it to the address on the back of your ticket. Include a copy of the ticket itself if possible. Mail payment typically takes 7 to 10 business days to process after LADOT receives it, so send it well before your important date to avoid late penalties.

To pay by phone, call the number printed on your citation. A representative will ask for your citation number and payment information. Phone payments are processed when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call. Keep this number for your records.

Contesting the ticket instead of paying

If you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly — for example, the sign was missing, you were parked legally, or the meter was broken — you can request a hearing instead of paying. You must request the hearing before your important date passes. To do this, contact LADOT or use their online system to indicate you want to contest the citation.

A hearing officer will review your case and the officer's notes. You can present evidence, such as photos of the parking area or documentation that the meter was malfunctioning. If the hearing officer rules in your favor, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If they rule against you, you will be ordered to pay the fine, and the important date for payment will be set at that time.

What happens after you pay

Once LADOT processes your payment, the citation is closed and you will no longer receive notices about it. If you paid online or by phone, the confirmation number serves as proof of payment. If you paid by mail, keep a copy of the cancelled check or money order receipt.

Payment does not affect your driving record or insurance rates — parking tickets are civil violations, not moving violations. However, if you had a registration hold placed on your account due to non-payment, that hold will be lifted once payment is confirmed, usually within one to three business days.

Payment options if you cannot pay the full amount at once

LADOT does not currently offer formal payment plans for parking tickets through their standard system. However, if you are facing financial hardship, you can contact LADOT directly to discuss your situation. Some circumstances may allow for a reduced fine or extended important date, though this is handled case-by-case and is not may provide.

If the ticket has already been referred to a collection agency, you may be able to negotiate a payment arrangement directly with the agency. The collection agency information will be included in the notice you receive. Ignoring the debt does not make it go away — it will continue to accrue fees and can eventually affect your credit report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay someone else's parking ticket?

Yes. You can pay online using their citation number, or you can pay by mail or phone on their behalf. You will need the citation number and the payment amount. The person who received the ticket does not need to be present.

What if I lost my parking ticket?

You can still pay online if you have your citation number — it may be on any notices LADOT sent you. If you do not have the number, contact LADOT with your license plate number and the approximate date and location of the violation, and they can look up the citation for you.

Does paying the ticket mean I admit fault?

Paying the ticket is treated as a civil matter, not a criminal admission. It closes the case but does not create a record that affects your driving history or insurance. If you want to avoid any implication of fault, you can request a hearing to contest it instead.

How long does it take for payment to show up in the system?

Online and phone payments are processed when ready. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days after LADOT receives them. If you are close to your important date, use online or phone payment to may support it is recorded on time.

What if I paid but still got a notice of increased penalty?

This can happen if the notice was mailed before your payment was processed. Contact LADOT with your confirmation number and explain that you have already paid. They can verify the payment and cancel the increased penalty notice.