Pay your NYC parking ticket through the Department of Finance website, by mail, or in person at a payment location
New York City parking tickets are issued by the Department of Finance (DOF), and you can pay them online at nycparkingtickets.com, by mail, or at one of several in-person payment locations across the city. The fastest route is online — you'll need your ticket number and the license plate number, and payment takes a few minutes. If you pay by mail or in person, allow extra time for processing.
You can pay even if you plan to contest the ticket later. Paying does not mean you give up your right to a hearing; you can request a refund if you win your case. However, if you pay after the important date printed on your ticket, you may owe a late penalty on top of the original fine.
Key Takeaways
- The Department of Finance website nycparkingtickets.com accepts credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks, and shows your ticket details and balance when ready.
- Your ticket number and license plate number are the only information you need to look up and pay your ticket online.
- If you pay by mail, send a check or money order to the address on the back of your ticket, and include your ticket number on the payment.
- In-person payment is available at DOF payment locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx during business hours.
- Paying your ticket does not prevent you from requesting a hearing to contest it within 30 days of the ticket date.
Paying online at nycparkingtickets.com
Go to nycparkingtickets.com and enter your ticket number (found at the top of your ticket) and license plate number. The site will display your ticket details, the amount owed, and the payment important date. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or e-check. Credit and debit card payments process when ready, and you'll receive a confirmation number on screen.
If you don't have your ticket number, you can search by license plate number alone, and the site will show all open tickets for that plate. This is useful if you've lost the physical ticket or need to check whether multiple tickets are outstanding. Payment is accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The site charges a convenience fee for credit and debit card payments — the exact amount depends on your card type and is shown before you complete the transaction. E-check payments have a lower or no fee but take three to five business days to clear.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order for the amount shown on your ticket. On the back of the check or money order, write your ticket number and license plate number. Mail it to the address printed on the back of your ticket — this address varies depending on which borough issued the ticket.
Include the ticket itself or a copy of it in the envelope if you have it, though the ticket number on your payment is what matters. Mail takes one to two weeks to arrive, and the Department of Finance needs additional time to process and post the payment to your account. If your payment arrives after the important date on your ticket, a late penalty will be added.
Keep a copy of your check or money order for your records. If you need proof of payment before the DOF posts it to their system, you can show your bank statement or cancelled check.
Paying in person at a DOF payment location
The Department of Finance operates payment locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. You can pay with cash, check, money order, credit card, or debit card. Bring your ticket or your ticket number and license plate number. Payment is processed on the spot, and you'll receive a receipt when ready.
The main Manhattan location is at 33 Beaver Street, near the Financial District. Brooklyn, Queens, and Bronx locations have different addresses and hours. Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., but you should check the DOF website for current hours before you go, as they vary by location and may change seasonally.
In-person payment is useful if you need an when ready receipt or if you prefer to handle it face-to-face. However, it requires a trip to a specific location during business hours, which may not be convenient depending on where you live or work.
Understanding the payment important date and late penalties
Your ticket shows a payment important date — usually 30 days from the date the ticket was issued. If you pay after that date, the Department of Finance adds a late penalty to your bill. The penalty amount is set by the city and varies based on the original fine amount.
The important date applies whether you pay online, by mail, or in person. If you mail a check, the postmark date matters, not the date it arrives at the DOF office. If you pay online or in person, the payment date is the date you complete the transaction.
If you believe the ticket was issued in error or you have a reason to contest it, you can request a hearing within 30 days of the ticket date. You do not have to pay before requesting a hearing, though you can pay and still request one. If you win your hearing, the DOF will refund your payment.
What to do if you can't find your ticket number
If you've lost your physical ticket, go to nycparkingtickets.com and search by license plate number. The site will show all open tickets for that plate, including ticket numbers, amounts, and dates. You can then pay any or all of them online using the ticket numbers the site displays.
If you don't remember your license plate number, you can call the Department of Finance at 311 (or 212-639-9675 from outside New York City) and provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) or other details. They can look up your tickets and provide the ticket numbers you need.
Requesting a hearing to contest your ticket
You have 30 days from the ticket date to request a hearing before the Parking Violations Bureau. You can request a hearing online at nycparkingtickets.com, by mail, or by phone at 311. Requesting a hearing does not prevent you from paying the ticket, and paying does not prevent you from requesting a hearing.
If you request a hearing and later decide to pay instead, you can withdraw the hearing request and pay at any time before your hearing date. If you win your hearing, any payment you made will be refunded. The hearing process typically takes several weeks, so if you need the ticket resolved quickly, paying may be faster than contesting it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a parking ticket with a credit card online?
Yes, nycparkingtickets.com accepts credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks. Credit and debit card payments process when ready and you'll receive a confirmation number. The site charges a convenience fee for card payments, which is shown before you complete the transaction.
What happens if I don't pay by the important date on my ticket?
A late penalty is added to your bill. The amount depends on the original fine. You can still pay at any time, but you'll owe the original fine plus the penalty. If you're contesting the ticket, you have 30 days from the ticket date to request a hearing.
Do I lose my right to contest the ticket if I pay it?
No. You can pay your ticket and still request a hearing within 30 days of the ticket date. If you win your hearing, the Department of Finance will refund your payment. Paying does not waive your right to contest.
How long does it take for an online payment to show up in my account?
Credit and debit card payments show as processed when ready, and you receive a confirmation number on screen. E-check payments take three to five business days to clear. The DOF may take additional time to post the payment to their system, but your confirmation number proves payment was made.
Can I pay someone else's parking ticket?
Yes. You can pay online using the ticket number and license plate number, or you can pay in person or by mail. You do not need to be the vehicle owner to pay a ticket. The person whose name is on the ticket can still request a hearing if they wish to contest it.