Where to pay your NYC camera ticket
You can pay an NYC camera ticket (also called a red light camera or speed camera violation) through the Department of Finance website, by mail, by phone, or in person. The fastest method is online at nycserv.nyc.gov, where you can pay with a credit card, debit card, or e-check. You will need your violation number, which appears on the ticket itself.
If you prefer not to pay online, you can call 311 from within New York City or (212) 639-9675 from outside the city to pay by phone with a credit or debit card. Payment by phone takes a few minutes, and you will receive a confirmation number when ready.
Mailing a check or money order is also an option. Write your violation number on the back of the check, and mail it to the address listed on your ticket. Mail payments take longer to process — typically two to three weeks — so allow extra time if you are close to a important date.
Key Takeaways
- The Department of Finance website (nycserv.nyc.gov) is the fastest way to pay, and you can do it 24 hours a day with a credit card, debit card, or e-check.
- You can also pay by phone at 311 (in NYC) or (212) 639-9675 with a credit or debit card.
- Mail payments require you to write your violation number on the back of your check and allow two to three weeks for processing.
- Late payment penalties and additional fines begin to accrue after 30 days, so paying within that window saves you money.
- If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can request a hearing before paying, which pauses the payment important date.
What happens if you do not pay on time
If you do not pay within 30 days of the ticket date, the Department of Finance adds a late payment penalty to your bill. The penalty amount varies depending on the original fine, but it typically ranges from $25 to $50. After 90 days without payment, the violation may be referred to a collection agency, and your credit report could be affected.
The city can also place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal if the ticket remains unpaid. This means you will not be able to renew your registration until the ticket and all penalties are paid in full. If you own property in New York City, an unpaid camera ticket can eventually result in a lien against that property, though this is less common for camera violations than for parking tickets.
Requesting a hearing instead of paying when ready
You have the right to request a hearing to contest the ticket before you pay. To do this, you must submit a written request to the Department of Finance within 30 days of the ticket date. Include your violation number, your name, and a brief explanation of why you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly. You can mail this request to the address on your ticket or submit it online through the Department of Finance website.
Requesting a hearing does not mean you will not have to pay — it means a hearing officer will review the evidence (usually a photo or video from the camera) and decide whether the violation was valid. If the officer finds in your favor, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If the officer upholds the ticket, you will then be required to pay the original fine plus any accrued late fees.
The hearing process typically takes four to eight weeks. During this time, the payment important date is paused, so you will not incur late penalties while waiting for your hearing date.
Understanding what you are paying for
NYC camera tickets are issued by automated red light cameras and speed cameras placed at intersections and on highways throughout the city. A red light camera ticket is issued when a vehicle enters an intersection after the traffic light has turned red. A speed camera ticket is issued when a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour in a school zone or by more than 6 miles per hour in other designated areas.
The fine for a red light camera violation is $50. The fine for a speed camera violation ranges from $50 to $100, depending on how much over the limit you were traveling. These fines are set by city law and do not vary based on your driving record or other factors.
Unlike moving violations issued by police officers, camera tickets do not add points to your driving record and do not affect your insurance rates. They are civil violations, not criminal ones, which means they are treated as a debt owed to the city rather than a criminal offense.
Paying if you received the ticket as a rental car driver
If you were driving a rental car when the camera violation occurred, the ticket is typically issued to the rental car company first. The rental company may then bill you directly, or they may charge the violation fee to the credit card you used to rent the vehicle. Check your rental agreement to see what it says about camera violations and other traffic citations.
If you receive a bill from the rental company, you can pay it directly to them. If you believe the violation was issued in error, you can still request a hearing with the Department of Finance using the violation number on the ticket. The hearing process is the same whether you own the vehicle or were renting it.
Payment methods and processing times
| Payment Method | Where to Pay | Processing Time | What You Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | nycserv.nyc.gov | when ready confirmation | Violation number, credit/debit card or e-check |
| Phone | 311 (NYC) or (212) 639-9675 | when ready confirmation | Violation number, credit/debit card |
| Address on ticket | 2–3 weeks | Check or money order, violation number written on back | |
| In person | Department of Finance office | Same day | Ticket, cash, check, or card |
Finding your violation number and ticket details
Your violation number is printed on the front of your ticket, usually in the upper right corner or near the top of the page. If you received the ticket by mail and cannot find the physical copy, you can look up your violation online using the Department of Finance's ticket lookup tool at nycserv.nyc.gov. You will need your license plate number and the date the violation occurred.
If you have lost your ticket entirely and cannot locate the violation number, call 311 and provide your license plate number. The Department of Finance can tell you whether there are any outstanding violations on your vehicle and provide you with the violation number so you can pay online or by phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a camera ticket in installments?
The Department of Finance does not offer installment plans for camera tickets. You must pay the full amount at once. If you are unable to pay the full fine, you can request a hearing to contest the ticket, which gives you time to gather funds while the payment important date is paused.
Will paying a camera ticket affect my insurance rates?
No. Camera tickets are civil violations, not moving violations, so they do not add points to your driving record and do not affect your auto insurance rates. Your insurance company will not see the ticket.
What if I was not the one driving the car when the violation occurred?
If someone else was driving your vehicle, you can still request a hearing and explain that you were not the driver. You may need to provide the name and contact information of the person who was driving. The hearing officer will consider this information when deciding whether to uphold the ticket.
How do I know if my camera ticket payment went through?
If you paid online or by phone, you will receive a confirmation number when ready. Keep this number for your records. You can also check the status of your payment on nycserv.nyc.gov by entering your violation number. If you paid by mail, allow two to three weeks for processing before checking the status online.
Can I get a refund if I pay by mistake?
If you pay a camera ticket and later have it dismissed at a hearing, you can request a refund from the Department of Finance. Submit a written request with your violation number and proof of the dismissal. Refunds typically take four to six weeks to process.