Where and how to pay your NYC parking ticket
You can pay a New York City parking ticket through the Department of Finance website, by mail, by phone, or in person at a payment location. The fastest method is online at nycserv.nyc.gov, where you can pay when ready with a credit or debit card using your ticket number and license plate. Payment by phone goes through the same system: call 311 and select the parking violation payment option, or call the Department of Finance directly at 646-386-5000.
If you prefer to pay by mail, send a check or money order to the address printed on the back of your ticket, along with the ticket itself or a copy of it. Payment by check takes 7 to 10 business days to process. You can also pay in person at a Department of Finance payment location; the main office is at 33 Beaver Street in Lower Manhattan, and there are satellite locations in each borough. Bring your ticket and a valid form of payment—cash, check, or card.
The payment amount is printed on the front of your ticket. Do not add anything to it unless you are paying a late fee. If you have already received a notice that your ticket is overdue, that notice will state the new total amount due, including penalties.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through nycserv.nyc.gov is the fastest option and processes when ready with a credit or debit card.
- You can also pay by phone at 311 or 646-386-5000, by mail with a check, or in person at a Department of Finance office.
- Late fees are added automatically if you do not pay within 30 days of the ticket date, so the amount on an overdue notice will be higher than the original ticket.
- You will need your ticket number and license plate to pay online or by phone.
What happens if you pay late
If you do not pay within 30 days of the ticket date, the Department of Finance adds a late fee to your balance. The late fee is typically 10 percent of the original fine, with a minimum of $25. A second late fee is added if you do not pay within 60 days. These fees stack, so a ticket that goes unpaid for two months can easily double in cost.
After 90 days without payment, the Department of Finance can report the debt to a collection agency and place a lien on your vehicle registration. This means you will not be able to renew your registration until the ticket is paid. If the ticket remains unpaid for a year or more, the city can suspend your driver's license.
Paying a ticket you received while parked in someone else's car
If you were driving someone else's vehicle when you received the ticket, the ticket is registered to that vehicle's owner, not to you. The owner will receive the notice in the mail. You can pay it on their behalf using their ticket number and license plate, but the owner's name will remain on the record.
If you want to dispute the ticket or have the owner's name removed from the record, the owner must be the one to contest it through the Department of Finance's dispute process. You can help them gather evidence or documentation, but the formal challenge must come from the registered owner.
Payment plans and hardship options
The Department of Finance does not offer formal payment plans for parking tickets. However, if you cannot pay the full amount when ready, you can contact the Department of Finance at 646-386-5000 to discuss your situation. In some cases, they may delay collection action temporarily while you arrange payment, though this is not may provide and does not stop late fees from accruing.
If your ticket is in collection or you have received a suspension notice, speaking with the Department of Finance directly is your best option. Explain your circumstances and ask whether they can work with you on timing. Having a plan to pay, even if it is not when ready, is better than ignoring the ticket.
Checking the status of your payment
After you pay online or by phone, your payment is recorded when ready. You can verify that your ticket has been marked as paid by returning to nycserv.nyc.gov and entering your ticket number and license plate. If you paid by mail or in person, allow 7 to 10 business days for the payment to appear in the system.
If you paid but your ticket still shows as unpaid after two weeks, contact the Department of Finance at 646-386-5000 with your payment confirmation number or receipt. Bring documentation of your payment—a credit card statement, cancelled check, or receipt from an in-person payment location.
Disputing a ticket instead of paying
If you believe the ticket was issued in error—for example, you were parked legally, the sign was obscured, or the meter was broken—you can contest it instead of paying. You have 30 days from the ticket date to file a dispute through the Department of Finance website or by mail. The ticket number and instructions for contesting are on the back of your ticket.
When you contest a ticket, you are not paying it; you are asking the Department of Finance to review whether it should have been issued. If your dispute is denied, you will then owe the original fine plus any late fees that have accrued. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing.
What to do if you lost your ticket
If you received a ticket but cannot find it, you can still pay using your license plate number. Go to nycserv.nyc.gov and search by plate instead of ticket number. The system will show all outstanding violations on that vehicle. You can pay any or all of them at once.
If you do not remember receiving a ticket at all, check your registration renewal notice or any mail from the Department of Finance. Tickets are mailed to the registered owner's address. If you have moved and did not update your address with the DMV, you may not have received the notice, but the ticket still exists and late fees are still accruing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a parking ticket with a credit card?
Yes. Online payment at nycserv.nyc.gov and phone payment through 311 or 646-386-5000 both accept credit and debit cards. In-person payment at Department of Finance offices also accepts cards. Mail payment requires a check or money order.
What if I paid but received a collection notice anyway?
Contact the Department of Finance when ready with your payment confirmation or receipt. If your payment was processed but not yet recorded in their system, they can verify it and stop collection action. If there is a discrepancy, they can investigate and correct it.
Do I have to pay the ticket if I plan to contest it?
No. You can contest the ticket without paying. However, if your contest is denied, you will owe the original fine plus any late fees that have accrued during the dispute process. Late fees continue to build while your dispute is pending.
How long does it take to pay a parking ticket by mail?
Mail payment takes 7 to 10 business days to process after the Department of Finance receives it. Send your check or money order to the address on the back of your ticket. Include the ticket itself or a copy so they can match your payment to the correct violation.
What if the ticket amount seems wrong?
Check the back of your ticket for the fine amount and any applicable surcharges. If you received an overdue notice, the amount will be higher due to late fees. If the amount still does not match what you expect, contact the Department of Finance at 646-386-5000 before paying to confirm the correct balance.