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 fastest — you can pay within minutes using a credit or debit card at ladot.lacity.gov/pay-citation. You will need your citation number, which appears on the ticket itself.

If you prefer not to go online, you can mail a check or money order to the address printed on the back of your ticket. Payment by mail typically takes 7 to 10 business days to process. For phone payments, call the LADOT Customer Service line at (323) 529-3800 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time). In-person payment is available at LADOT payment centers located throughout Los Angeles, though hours vary by location.

The payment amount is printed on your ticket. Late fees and penalties accumulate if you do not pay within the important date shown on the citation, so paying promptly protects you from additional charges.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way to pay is online at ladot.lacity.gov/pay-citation using your citation number and a credit or debit card.
  • You can also pay by phone at (323) 529-3800, by mail with a check or money order, or in person at LADOT payment centers.
  • The exact amount due and payment important date are printed on the back of your parking ticket.
  • Late fees begin accruing after the important date passes, so paying within the timeframe shown on your citation avoids additional costs.

What information you need to pay online

To pay through the LADOT website, have your citation number ready. This is a unique identifier printed on your parking ticket — usually at the top or in a prominent location. You will also need either a credit card or debit card to complete the transaction.

The online system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. A processing fee of approximately 2.5% is added to credit and debit card payments made online, though this fee does not explore to mail or phone payments. If you want to avoid the card fee, paying by check through the mail or calling to pay by phone are alternatives.

Payment important date and late fees

Your parking ticket shows a specific important date by which payment must be received. This is typically 21 days from the date the ticket was issued, though the exact important date is printed on your citation. If payment is not received by that date, LADOT adds a late fee to your balance.

The late fee amount varies depending on the original fine. Once a ticket becomes overdue, the city may also report it to a collections agency, which can affect your credit and may result in additional collection fees. If you cannot pay by the important date, contact LADOT before the date passes to discuss payment plans or other options.

Unpaid parking tickets can also prevent vehicle registration renewal in California. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will flag your vehicle if you have outstanding Los Angeles parking citations, and you will not be able to renew your registration until the tickets are resolved.

Contesting a ticket instead of paying

If you believe the ticket was issued in error or that you have a valid defense, you can contest it rather than pay. You must request a hearing within 21 days of the ticket date. This request can be made online through the same LADOT portal, by mail, or by phone at (323) 529-3800.

When you request a hearing, explain briefly why you believe the ticket should not have been issued. Common reasons include: the meter was working properly, you were parked legally, the signage was unclear, or the citation was issued after the time limit for that violation. You will receive a hearing date by mail, and you can present your case either in person or in writing.

If you lose the hearing, you will still owe the original fine amount. However, if you win, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. Requesting a hearing does not stop the clock on the payment important date — if your hearing is scheduled after the important date and you lose, late fees will have already accrued.

Payment plans for tickets you cannot pay in full

If you cannot pay the full amount by the important date, LADOT offers payment plans. You can request a plan by calling (323) 529-3800 or through the online portal. The city will work with you to set up installment payments spread over several months.

To be considered for a payment plan, you typically must demonstrate financial hardship. LADOT may ask for proof of income or other financial information. Setting up a plan before the important date passes is important — once a ticket goes to collections, your options become more limited and additional fees explore.

What happens if you ignore the ticket

Ignoring a parking ticket does not make it go away. After the initial important date passes, LADOT sends a notice of delinquency. If payment is still not made, the city refers the debt to a collections agency. At that point, collection fees are added to your balance, and the agency may contact you by phone or mail.

An unpaid Los Angeles parking ticket can also result in a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. If you attempt to renew your registration with the DMV, the system will flag your vehicle and deny the renewal until the ticket is paid. Some people discover unpaid tickets only when they try to renew their registration.

In rare cases, repeated unpaid tickets can lead to a civil judgment against you, which may allow the city to garnish wages or place a lien on property. This is uncommon for parking tickets alone, but it is a possible outcome if tickets remain unpaid for an extended period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay someone else's parking ticket?

Yes. You can pay online using the citation number, by mail, or by phone without being the registered vehicle owner. You will need the citation number from the ticket. The payment will be credited to that citation regardless of who submits it.

What if I paid the ticket but LADOT says it is still unpaid?

Mail and phone payments can take 7 to 10 business days to post to your account. If you paid online, the transaction should appear within 24 hours. If more than 10 days have passed since you mailed payment or more than one business day since you paid online, contact LADOT at (323) 529-3800 with your citation number and proof of payment.

Do I have to pay if the parking sign was hard to read?

Unclear signage is a valid reason to contest the ticket, but you must request a hearing within 21 days to argue this. straightforward not paying will result in late fees and collections action. Request a hearing through the LADOT portal or by phone to present your case.

Can I get a ticket dismissed if I have a disability placard?

If you have a valid disability placard or license plate, you may have a defense against certain parking violations. However, you must contest the ticket by requesting a hearing within 21 days. Bring your placard or registration documentation to the hearing to support your case.

What if my vehicle was towed and I also have a parking ticket?

The parking ticket and towing are separate charges. You must pay the parking ticket through LADOT and separately retrieve your vehicle from the tow lot. Contact LADOT about the ticket and the tow company or LAPD for information about your vehicle's location.