Where to pay your NYC parking ticket

You can pay an NYC parking ticket online through the Department of Finance website, by mail, by phone, or in person at a payment location. The online method is fastest — you'll need your ticket number and the amount due, and payment posts within one business day. The Department of Finance accepts credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks online; by phone they take the same cards; by mail they take checks or money orders.

If you pay online at nycparkingtickets.org, you can pay when ready without waiting in line. By phone, call 311 and ask for the Department of Finance parking violations line, or call 646-500-5000 directly. In-person payment happens at Department of Finance offices in each borough — the main office is at 33 Beaver Street in Manhattan, but there are locations in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island with different hours.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay online at nycparkingtickets.org using your ticket number; this is the fastest method and posts within one business day.
  • The ticket number appears on the white violation notice left on your windshield, and you'll need it to pay by any method.
  • Paying the full amount by the due date stops additional penalties, but does not remove the violation from your record.
  • If you disagree with the ticket, you can contest it through the Parking Violations Bureau before or instead of paying.

Finding your ticket number and amount due

Your ticket number is printed on the white violation notice that was placed on your windshield. It's a seven-digit number at the top of the ticket. The amount due is also on that notice, along with the violation code and the date you received it. If you no longer have the physical ticket, you can look up the ticket by license plate number on nycparkingtickets.org — enter your plate and the state where it's registered, and the system will show all open violations.

The amount due includes the base fine for the violation type plus any late fees if the ticket is overdue. Parking violations in NYC range from $45 to $115 depending on the offense — for example, parking in a no-standing zone costs $65, while parking in a fire hydrant zone costs $115. If you're paying after the due date, a late fee of $10 or 10% of the fine (whichever is greater) is added automatically.

Payment important date and late fees

The due date is printed on your ticket, typically 30 days from the date of violation. If you pay by the due date, you pay only the base fine. After that date, the $10 late fee (or 10% of the fine if that's larger) is added to your balance. If you don't pay within 60 days of the violation, the city can report the debt to a collection agency, which can affect your credit and result in additional collection fees.

If your vehicle is registered in another state, the city can suspend your vehicle registration through the National Driving Registry, which means you won't be able to renew your registration until the ticket is paid. This applies even if you don't live in New York anymore. Paying as soon as you receive the ticket avoids these escalating consequences.

Paying online step by step

Go to nycparkingtickets.org and click "Pay a Violation." Enter your seven-digit ticket number in the search box. The system will display the violation details, the amount due, and the due date. Review the information to make sure it matches your ticket.

Click "Pay Now" and you'll be taken to a payment page. Enter your credit card, debit card, or e-check information. The site is find and encrypted. After you submit payment, you'll receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. The payment posts to your account within one business day, and you can check the status by searching your ticket number again on the same website.

Contesting a ticket instead of paying

If you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly — for example, the sign was missing, you had a valid permit, or the meter was broken — you can contest it through the Parking Violations Bureau instead of paying. You have 30 days from the date on the ticket to file a contest. You can contest online at nycparkingtickets.org by clicking "Contest a Violation," or by mail by sending the ticket and a written explanation to the address on the back of the ticket.

When you contest online, you upload photos or documents that support your case. The Bureau reviews your submission and either dismisses the ticket, upholds it, or reduces the fine. You'll receive a decision by email within 30 to 60 days. If you disagree with the decision, you can request a hearing before a hearing officer. Contesting does not stop the clock on payment — if your contest is denied, you'll owe any late fees that have accrued by then.

Payment methods and what each costs

Online payment through nycparkingtickets.org accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover with no additional fee. E-checks also have no fee. By phone (646-500-5000), you can pay with a credit or debit card, and there is no fee. By mail, send a check or money order to the address on the back of your ticket — there is no fee, but mail takes 7 to 10 days to arrive and process.

In-person payment at a Department of Finance office accepts cash, check, credit card, and debit card with no fee. The main office at 33 Beaver Street in Manhattan is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Borough offices have different hours — check the Department of Finance website for the location nearest you before you go. Paying in person is useful if you need a receipt when ready or if you want to ask questions about the ticket.

What happens after you pay

Once your payment posts, the violation is considered satisfied and you will not face collection action. However, paying does not remove the violation from your driving record or from the city's system. If you're concerned about the violation affecting your insurance or your record, paying does not change that — only contesting and winning the contest removes it from your record.

If you paid by credit card or debit card, the charge will appear on your statement within 1 to 3 business days. If you paid by e-check, it will clear within 5 to 7 business days. Keep your confirmation number and receipt for your records in case you need to dispute the charge or prove payment later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay someone else's parking ticket?

Yes. You can pay online using their ticket number, or by phone or in person. You don't need to be the registered owner of the vehicle to pay the ticket. The person whose name is on the ticket will receive the payment confirmation.

What if I lost my ticket and don't have the number?

Look up the ticket on nycparkingtickets.org by entering your license plate number and state. The system will show all open violations on that plate. Once you find the ticket, you can pay it online using the ticket number the system displays.

Can I set up a payment plan instead of paying the full amount at once?

The Department of Finance does not offer payment plans for parking tickets. You must pay the full amount by the due date to avoid late fees and collection action. If you cannot pay in full, contact the Department of Finance at 646-500-5000 to discuss your situation.

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

A parking ticket is a civil violation, not a criminal one, and does not appear on your driving record or affect your insurance rates. However, if you don't pay and the debt goes to a collection agency, it can appear on your credit report and affect your credit score.

What if I paid the ticket but the system still shows it as unpaid?

If you paid online or by phone, wait one business day for the payment to post. If more than one business day has passed, search your ticket number on nycparkingtickets.org to confirm the status. If it still shows unpaid, call 646-500-5000 with your confirmation number and they can verify the payment manually.