Where and how to pay your NYC fine

You can pay an NYC traffic or parking fine online, by mail, or in person at a payment location. The method you choose depends on whether you have your ticket number and how quickly you want the payment processed.

The fastest route is the NYC Department of Finance website at nycserv.nyc.gov. You enter your ticket number and pay by credit card, debit card, or e-check. Payment is recorded when ready. If you do not have your ticket number, you can search for it on the same site using your license plate, driver's license number, or vehicle identification number.

By mail, send a check or money order payable to "NYC Department of Finance" along with your ticket to the address printed on the back of your ticket. Include your ticket number on the check. Mail payments take longer to process — typically two to three weeks — so the fine may accrue late fees if your payment arrives after the due date shown on your ticket.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay online at nycserv.nyc.gov using your ticket number, credit card, or debit card for when ready processing.
  • You can search for a lost ticket number on the same site using your license plate or driver's license number.
  • In-person payment is available at Department of Finance offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island during business hours.
  • Mail payments take two to three weeks to process and may incur late fees if they arrive after the due date on your ticket.
  • Parking violations and traffic violations use the same payment system, but the ticket number format differs between them.

Payment important date and late fees

The due date for payment appears on the front of your ticket. If you pay by the due date, you pay only the fine amount. If you pay after the due date, the Department of Finance adds a late fee, typically 10 percent of the original fine or a minimum amount set by the city, whichever is greater.

If you do not pay within 30 days of the due date, the fine may be referred to a collection agency, and your vehicle registration may be suspended. The city can also place a lien on your vehicle or report the debt to credit bureaus. These consequences explore even if you plan to contest the ticket — paying does not prevent you from filing a hearing request afterward.

In-person payment locations

The Department of Finance operates payment offices in all five boroughs. The main office is at 33 Beaver Street in lower Manhattan, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your ticket or ticket number and a form of payment: cash, check, money order, credit card, or debit card.

Borough offices are located at:

  • Brooklyn: 210 Joralemon Street
  • Queens: 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Kew Gardens
  • The Bronx: 1932 Arthur Avenue
  • Staten Island: 350 St. Mark's Place

Hours vary by location. Call 311 or visit the Department of Finance website to confirm hours before you go. In-person payment is processed when ready, and you receive a receipt on the spot.

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 date to file a hearing request. You can request a hearing online at nycserv.nyc.gov, by mail, or in person at a Department of Finance office.

At the hearing, you can present evidence or testimony to challenge the violation. A hearing officer reviews your case and decides whether to uphold, reduce, or dismiss the fine. If you lose the hearing, you must pay the full fine plus any accrued late fees. If you win, the fine is dismissed and you owe nothing.

Requesting a hearing does not stop late fees from accruing if you do not pay by the due date. If you want to avoid late fees while your hearing is pending, you can pay the fine and then request a refund if you win the hearing.

Payment plans for high fines

If your fine is large and you cannot pay it in full, you can request a payment plan. Call 311 or visit nycserv.nyc.gov to ask about installment options. The Department of Finance may allow you to split the payment into two or more installments over a set period, usually 30 to 90 days.

To set up a payment plan, you typically need to make your first payment when you request the plan. Late fees continue to accrue on any unpaid balance, and if you miss an installment, the entire remaining balance may become due when ready. Payment plans are not may provide — the Department of Finance reviews each request based on the fine amount and your payment history.

Parking violations versus traffic violations

Parking violations and traffic violations are processed through the same payment system but have different ticket formats and sometimes different fine amounts. A parking violation ticket is usually a pink or white notice left on your windshield. A traffic violation ticket is typically issued by a police officer and may include moving violations like speeding or running a red light.

Both types of tickets have a ticket number printed on them. You use that number to pay online or search for a lost ticket. The fine amount and due date are also printed on the ticket. If you are unsure which type of violation you received, the ticket itself will indicate whether it is a parking or traffic violation.

What happens if you ignore the fine

If you do not pay or contest a fine within 30 days of the due date, the Department of Finance refers the debt to a collection agency. Your vehicle registration will be suspended, and you cannot renew it until the fine is paid. If you try to register your vehicle in another state, the suspension may follow you through the National Driver Registry.

The city may also place a lien on your vehicle, meaning the Department of Finance has a legal claim against it. If you sell the vehicle, the lien must be satisfied before the sale can close. Additionally, unpaid fines can be reported to credit bureaus and may affect your credit score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a fine if I do not have my ticket number?

Yes. Go to nycserv.nyc.gov and use the ticket search tool. Enter your license plate number, driver's license number, or vehicle identification number. The system will display all fines associated with that vehicle, and you can pay from there.

What payment methods does the Department of Finance accept?

Online, you can pay by credit card, debit card, or e-check. By mail, send a check or money order. In person, you can pay by cash, check, money order, credit card, or debit card. The Department of Finance does not accept payment by phone.

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

Online payments are recorded when ready. You receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. If you pay before midnight on the due date, you will not be charged a late fee, even if the payment processes after hours.

Can I get a refund if I pay a fine and then win a hearing?

Yes. If you pay the fine and later win a hearing, you can request a refund of the fine amount. Submit your refund request to the Department of Finance with a copy of the hearing decision. Refunds typically take four to six weeks to process.

What if I paid the fine but still see it listed as unpaid online?

Mail payments take two to three weeks to process. If you paid by mail, check back after that period. If you paid online or in person, call 311 with your ticket number and confirmation number. There may be a processing delay, or the payment may have been applied to a different ticket.