Where to pay your NYC parking ticket

You can pay a parking ticket issued in New York City through the Department of Finance website, by mail, by phone, or in person at a payment location. The fastest route is online at nycparkingtickets.com, where you can pay when ready with a credit or debit card using your ticket number and license plate. Payment takes effect the same day.

If you do not have internet access or prefer not to pay online, you can call 311 from any phone in New York City and a representative will take your payment over the phone. Out-of-state callers can reach the Department of Finance directly at 646-506-5000. Both phone lines accept credit and debit cards.

You can also mail a check or money order to the Department of Finance at the address printed on your ticket, though mail payment takes 7 to 10 business days to process. In-person payment is available at Department of Finance offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island during business hours, and these locations accept cash, checks, and cards.

Key Takeaways

  • The online portal nycparkingtickets.com is the fastest way to pay and processes your payment the same day.
  • You will need your ticket number and license plate to pay online, by phone, or by mail.
  • Paying by phone through 311 (or 646-506-5000 from outside NYC) takes a few minutes and accepts credit or debit cards.
  • If you pay late, additional penalties and interest charges will be added to your original ticket amount.
  • Paying your ticket does not prevent you from contesting it later if you believe it was issued in error.

What information you need before you pay

Gather your ticket number and your vehicle's license plate before you start the payment process. Your ticket number appears at the top of the parking violation notice you received. If you have lost the physical ticket, you can look up your violation using your license plate and vehicle identification number (VIN) on nycparkingtickets.com.

The website will show you all outstanding violations associated with that plate and their amounts. If you have multiple tickets, you can pay them all at once or individually. Write down the ticket numbers and amounts before you begin payment so you know exactly what you owe.

Payment important date and late fees

You have 30 days from the date the ticket was issued to pay without penalty. After 30 days, the Department of Finance adds a late fee to your balance. The late fee is 10 percent of the original ticket amount, with a minimum of $25. If you do not pay within 60 days, an additional 10 percent penalty is added.

If your ticket remains unpaid for more than 90 days, the Department of Finance can report it to credit agencies and place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. This means you will not be able to renew your registration until the ticket is paid. The sooner you pay, the less you will owe in total.

Paying by credit or debit card online

Go to nycparkingtickets.com and click the "Pay a Ticket" button. Enter your ticket number and license plate in the search fields. The system will display your violation details and the amount due. Review the information to make sure it matches your ticket.

Click "Pay Now" and you will be taken to a payment screen. Enter your credit or debit card information and billing address. The website uses encryption to protect your card details. After you submit your payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Keep this confirmation for your records.

Online payment is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The payment processes when ready, and your ticket status updates the same day. If you need a receipt later, you can log back into the website and print it using your ticket number.

Paying by phone or mail

To pay by phone, call 311 from within New York City or 646-506-5000 from outside the city. A representative will ask for your ticket number and license plate to pull up your violation. Have your credit or debit card ready. The representative will walk you through the payment and give you a confirmation number when the transaction is complete. Phone payments take about 5 to 10 minutes.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order for the full amount due and include it with a copy of your ticket or a letter stating your ticket number and license plate. Mail it to the address printed on your ticket. Do not send cash through the mail. Payment by mail takes 7 to 10 business days to process, so the Department of Finance may not record your payment when ready. If you are close to a important date, pay online or by phone instead.

In-person payment at Department of Finance offices

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

Borough offices are located in Brooklyn (210 Joralemon Street), Queens (120-55 Queens Boulevard), the Bronx (1932 Arthur Avenue), and Staten Island (750 Fingerboard Road). Hours vary by location, so check the Department of Finance website for the office nearest you before you go. In-person payment is processed the same day.

What happens after you pay

Once your payment is processed, the Department of Finance will send you a receipt by mail within 2 to 3 weeks if you paid online or by phone. If you paid in person, you receive a receipt when ready. Your ticket status will show as "Paid" on nycparkingtickets.com within one business day.

Paying your ticket does not prevent you from contesting it if you believe it was issued incorrectly. You have 30 days from the date of the ticket to request a hearing before the Parking Violations Bureau. You can request a hearing online, by mail, or by phone at 646-506-5000. If you win your hearing, the Department of Finance will refund your payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a parking ticket with a debit card?

Yes, the online portal, phone line, and in-person offices all accept debit cards. You will need the card number, expiration date, and CVV code if paying online or by phone. In-person payment requires the physical card and a photo ID.

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

Go to nycparkingtickets.com and use the "Look Up a Violation" tool. Enter your license plate and vehicle identification number (VIN). The system will display all outstanding violations on that plate. You can then pay directly from the search results without needing the physical ticket.

Do I have to pay if I'm planning to contest the ticket?

No. You can request a hearing before the Parking Violations Bureau without paying first. You have 30 days from the ticket date to request a hearing. If you lose the hearing, you will owe the ticket amount plus any late fees that have accrued. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing.

What if I paid my ticket but it still shows as unpaid online?

Payment processing takes 1 to 3 business days to appear in the system. If more than 3 business days have passed since you paid, call 646-506-5000 with your confirmation number and ticket number. A representative can verify that your payment was received and update your account if needed.

Can I set up a payment plan if I can't pay the full amount right now?

The Department of Finance does not offer payment plans for parking tickets. You must pay the full amount by the important date to avoid late fees and registration holds. If you are facing financial hardship, contact 311 to ask about your options, though payment plans are not may provide.