Where to pay your NYC traffic ticket

You can pay an NYC traffic ticket through the Department of Finance's Parking Violations Bureau (PVB) online, by mail, or in person at a payment location. The method you choose depends on whether you have your ticket number, how quickly you need to pay, and whether you want a receipt when ready.

The fastest route is the PVB website at nycpvb.org. You'll enter your ticket number and last name, then pay by credit card, debit card, or e-check. Payment goes through when ready, and you get a confirmation number on screen. If you don't have internet access or prefer to pay in person, you can visit a PVB office in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx during business hours — locations and hours are listed on the same website.

Mailing a check or money order is the slowest option but works if you prefer not to use a card. You'll send payment to the address printed on your ticket, along with a copy of the ticket itself. The PVB processes mail payments within two to three weeks, so pay early if your due date is approaching.

Key Takeaways

  • The PVB website (nycpvb.org) is the fastest way to pay — you'll get a confirmation number within seconds if you have your ticket number and last name.
  • You can also pay in person at a PVB office in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx during business hours, or by mailing a check to the address on your ticket.
  • Payment by credit card, debit card, e-check, check, or money order are all accepted, depending on which payment method you choose.
  • If you pay before the due date on your ticket, you avoid additional penalties and potential license suspension or boot placement on your vehicle.

What information you need to pay online

To pay through the PVB website, you'll need your ticket number and the last name of the person the ticket was issued to. The ticket number is printed at the top of your violation notice — it's an eight-digit number that starts with a letter. If you've lost the ticket, you can search for it on the website using your license plate number and the date the violation occurred, though this takes longer.

When you enter this information, the system pulls up your ticket details, shows you the amount owed, and displays the due date. At that point you can pay when ready using a credit card, debit card, or e-check. You do not need to create an account or provide any information beyond what's on the ticket.

Payment important date and what happens if you miss them

Your ticket shows a due date — usually 30 days from the date the violation was issued. If you pay by that date, you pay only the fine amount printed on the ticket. If you miss the due date, the PVB adds a late penalty on top of the original fine.

If you don't pay within 60 days of the violation date, the PVB can place a boot on your vehicle, preventing you from driving it until you pay in full. If you don't pay within 90 days, the city can suspend your vehicle registration and report the debt to credit agencies. Paying as soon as you receive the ticket avoids these escalating consequences.

If you believe the ticket was issued in error or you have a reason the violation shouldn't have been issued, you can contest it through the PVB's dispute process instead of paying. You'll need to submit your challenge before the due date, either online or by mail.

In-person payment at PVB offices

The PVB operates payment offices in four boroughs. The Manhattan office is at 33 Beaver Street, the Brooklyn office is at 210 Joralemon Street, the Queens office is at 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens, and the Bronx office is at 1932 Arthur Avenue. Each location accepts cash, checks, money orders, credit cards, and debit cards.

Hours vary by location but most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, with some locations offering limited Saturday hours. Before you go, check the PVB website for the specific hours of the office nearest you, since hours change seasonally and may be different on holidays.

Bring your ticket with you when you visit. If you're paying for someone else's ticket, bring their ticket as well. You'll receive a receipt when ready, which serves as proof of payment.

Paying by mail

The address for mailing payment is printed on your ticket. You'll send a check or money order made out to the "Department of Finance" along with a copy of your ticket. Include a note with your name, address, and ticket number so the PVB can match your payment to the correct violation.

Mail payments take two to three weeks to process, so send your payment at least three weeks before the due date to may support it arrives and is recorded before the important date. Keep a copy of your check or money order number for your records. The PVB does not send confirmation letters for mail payments, so you won't receive written proof that payment was received — you can verify payment online using your ticket number after waiting a week or two.

Paying a ticket for a rental or borrowed vehicle

If you received a ticket while driving a rental car or someone else's vehicle, the ticket is issued to the vehicle's owner, not to you as the driver. The owner will receive the violation notice in the mail. If you want to pay it on their behalf, you can do so online or in person using their ticket number and last name, or you can give them the ticket information so they can pay themselves.

Some rental car companies charge you a processing fee if a ticket is issued to their vehicle while you're renting it, in addition to the fine itself. Check your rental agreement to understand what you're responsible for. If you believe you weren't the one driving or the ticket was issued in error, you can contest it through the PVB's dispute process, though you'll need to do this before the due date.

What to do if you can't pay the full amount by the due date

If you cannot pay the full fine by the due date, contact the PVB before the important date to request a payment plan. You can call 311 and ask to be transferred to the PVB, or visit the PVB website to see if a payment plan option is available for your ticket. The PVB may allow you to pay in installments rather than all at once, which stops the late penalty from being added.

Requesting a payment plan before the due date is important — if you wait until after the important date, the late penalty is already applied and you'll owe more. Even if a payment plan is not available, contacting the PVB shows good faith and may prevent additional enforcement actions like booting or registration suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a NYC traffic ticket with cash?

Yes, but only in person at a PVB office. You cannot pay by cash online or by mail. Bring your ticket and the exact amount or more, since not all offices have change available. Online and mail payments require a card or check.

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

You can search for your ticket on the PVB website using your license plate number and the date the violation occurred. Once you find it, you'll see the ticket number and can pay online. If you can't locate it online, call 311 and ask for help finding your ticket information.

Do I get a refund if I pay a ticket I'm going to contest?

No. If you pay the ticket, you forfeit your right to contest it. If you believe the ticket was issued in error, submit a dispute before the due date instead of paying. You can dispute online or by mail through the PVB.

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

Online payments show when ready and you receive a confirmation number on screen. Mail and in-person payments take one to two weeks to appear in the PVB system. You can check your payment status online using your ticket number.

What happens if I pay late but before the boot is placed?

You'll owe the original fine plus a late penalty. The late penalty amount depends on how far past the due date you are. Paying stops further enforcement actions like booting or registration suspension, but the late penalty is not waived.