Where to pay your Los Angeles parking ticket

You can pay a Los Angeles parking ticket through the Department of Transportation (LADOT) online system, by mail, in person, or by phone. The fastest route is the LADOT website at ladot.lacity.gov, where you can search for your ticket by citation number or license plate and pay when ready with a credit or debit card. If you do not have internet access or prefer to pay by check, you can mail payment to the address printed on your ticket, or visit an LADOT payment location in person.

Payment by phone is also available — you can call the LADOT Parking Violations Bureau at (323) 529-3700 to pay with a credit card over the phone. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time. Whichever method you choose, you will need your citation number, which appears at the top of your ticket.

Key Takeaways

  • The LADOT website (ladot.lacity.gov) is the fastest way to pay — you can search by citation number or license plate and pay with a card in minutes.
  • Payment by phone, mail, or in-person at an LADOT office are all accepted, but online payment usually processes the same day.
  • You will need your citation number to pay, which is printed at the top of your parking ticket.
  • Paying on time stops late fees and penalties from adding to the original fine amount.
  • If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can request a hearing before paying, though this delays the process.

How to pay online through LADOT

Go to ladot.lacity.gov and look for the "Pay a Parking Citation" link on the homepage. Click it and you will be taken to a search page. Enter either your citation number (the fastest option if you have your ticket in front of you) or your license plate number and vehicle state. The system will pull up any outstanding citations tied to that plate.

Once your ticket appears, review the violation description, fine amount, and any late fees that have been added. Click the option to pay and you will be directed to enter payment information. LADOT accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. A processing fee of around 2.5% is added to credit card payments. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen — write this down or take a screenshot, as it serves as your proof of payment.

Paying by mail or check

The mailing address for parking ticket payments is printed on the back of your ticket. Write your citation number on the check or money order and mail it to that address. The Parking Violations Bureau typically processes mailed payments within 7 to 10 business days after they receive them, so factor in mail delivery time — sending payment at least two weeks before any important date is safer.

Do not send cash through the mail. If you are paying by check, make it payable to the City of Los Angeles. Keep a copy of your ticket and a record of when you mailed the payment in case there is a delay or the payment is lost in transit.

In-person payment at LADOT offices

LADOT has payment locations throughout Los Angeles where you can pay in person with cash, check, or card. The main office is located at 221 North Figueroa Street, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time. Bring your ticket and a valid form of identification.

If you live or work far from downtown, LADOT also operates payment kiosks at some city facilities and parking lots. Call (323) 529-3700 to ask whether there is a location closer to you, or check the LADOT website for a current list of payment sites.

What happens if you pay late or do not pay

Los Angeles parking tickets have a important date printed on the back — usually 21 days from the date of issue. If you do not pay by that date, late fees and penalties begin to accumulate. The original fine typically increases by 50% or more once it becomes overdue. After 90 days without payment, the city may report the debt to a collection agency, which can damage your credit and result in additional collection fees.

If your vehicle registration is up for renewal, the state will not issue a new registration until all Los Angeles parking tickets are paid. Unpaid tickets can also prevent you from renewing your driver's license in some cases. Paying as soon as you receive the ticket is the most cost-effective option.

Requesting a hearing if you dispute the ticket

If you believe the ticket was issued in error — for example, if you had a valid permit, the meter was broken, or the sign was obscured — you can request a hearing before paying. The back of your ticket will have instructions for requesting a hearing, usually with a important date of 21 days from the issue date. You can request a hearing online through the LADOT website, by mail, or by phone.

During the hearing, you will present your case to a hearing officer who will review the citation and your evidence. If the officer rules in your favor, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If the officer upholds the ticket, you will be ordered to pay the fine. Requesting a hearing delays payment but does not stop late fees from accumulating if you ultimately lose, so act quickly if you plan to dispute the ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a parking ticket for someone else's car?

Yes. You can pay online using the vehicle's license plate number, by mail, or in person. You do not need to be the registered owner to pay the fine. The ticket will be marked as paid regardless of who submits the payment.

What if I lost my parking ticket and do not have the citation number?

You can still search for the ticket on the LADOT website using your license plate number and vehicle state. The system will show all outstanding citations for that vehicle. If you cannot find it online, call (323) 529-3700 and provide your license plate number — LADOT can look up the citation for you.

Is there a discount if I pay early?

No. Los Angeles does not offer early-payment discounts on parking tickets. The fine amount is fixed. However, paying before the important date prevents late fees and penalties from being added, which saves money compared to paying after the important date passes.

Can I set up a payment plan if I cannot pay the full amount at once?

LADOT does not offer formal payment plans for parking tickets. You must pay the full amount by the important date. If you are unable to pay, you can request a hearing to dispute the ticket, but this does not reduce the fine if the ticket is upheld. Contact LADOT at (323) 529-3700 to ask about your specific situation.

Will paying a parking ticket affect my driving record or insurance?

No. Parking tickets do not appear on your driving record and do not affect your car insurance rates. They are civil violations, not moving violations. However, unpaid tickets can prevent vehicle registration renewal and may be reported to credit agencies if sent to collections.