Where to pay your Philadelphia parking ticket
You can pay a Philadelphia parking ticket online through the city's Department of Revenue website, by mail, in person at a payment center, or by phone. The online option is fastest — you'll need your ticket number and the amount owed, and payment posts within one business day. The city accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks for online and phone payments.
If you prefer to pay in person, the Department of Revenue has a payment center at 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard in Center City Philadelphia, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also mail a check or money order to the address printed on your ticket, though mail payments take longer to process and you won't have proof of payment until the check clears.
Phone payments go through the city's automated system at 311 (or 215-686-1776 from outside Philadelphia). Have your ticket number and payment method ready. The system accepts credit and debit cards only by phone.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through the Department of Revenue website is the fastest method and shows confirmation when ready.
- You need your ticket number and the dollar amount to pay by any method — this information is printed on the ticket itself.
- Credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks are accepted online; phone payments accept cards only.
- In-person payment at 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard takes a few minutes and gives you a receipt on the spot.
- Mail payments take the longest and require you to wait for the check to clear before the ticket is marked paid.
What information you need before you pay
Your parking ticket has a ticket number printed on it — this is the main piece of information the city needs to process your payment. The ticket also shows the violation code, the date and location of the violation, and the amount due. Keep the ticket in front of you when you pay, whether online, by phone, or in person.
If you've lost the physical ticket, you can look up the ticket number on the Department of Revenue website using your license plate number and the approximate date of the violation. Once you have the ticket number, you can proceed with payment through any of the methods above.
Payment important date and late fees
Philadelphia parking tickets have a payment important date printed on the ticket itself — typically 30 days from the violation date. If you pay after that date, the city adds a late fee to the original amount owed. The late fee structure varies depending on how far past the important date you are, so paying sooner rather than later costs you less money.
If a ticket remains unpaid for a long time, the city may place a hold on your vehicle registration or report the debt to a collection agency. Paying the ticket stops these actions, even if you're paying late.
Disputing a ticket instead of paying
If you believe the ticket was issued in error — for example, you had a valid permit, the meter was broken, or the sign was obscured — you can request a hearing instead of paying. You have 10 days from the violation date to request a hearing through the Department of Revenue website or by mail. Include your ticket number, a brief explanation of why you think the ticket is wrong, and any supporting documents like photos or permit proof.
A hearing officer will review your case and either uphold the ticket, dismiss it, or reduce the amount owed. If the ticket is upheld, you'll still owe the full amount plus any late fees that have accrued while your case was pending. Requesting a hearing does not stop the payment important date, so if your hearing is denied, you'll need to pay quickly to avoid additional late fees.
Online payment step-by-step
Go to the Department of Revenue's parking ticket payment page on the city's website. Click the option to pay a parking ticket. Enter your ticket number in the search field and click "Search." The system will pull up the ticket details, including the amount owed and any late fees.
Review the amount to make sure it matches your ticket. Click "Pay Now" and enter your payment method — credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Provide the billing address associated with your card. The system will process the payment and show you a confirmation number when ready. Write down or screenshot this confirmation number as proof of payment.
The payment typically posts to your account within one business day. You can check the status of your payment by searching for your ticket number again on the same website — it will show "Paid" once the transaction clears.
What happens after you pay
Once your payment is processed, the ticket is marked as paid in the city's system and you receive no further notices about it. If you paid online or by phone, you'll have a confirmation number; if you paid by mail, keep a copy of the cancelled check as proof. If you paid in person, the receipt you received is your proof.
Paying the ticket does not affect your driving record or insurance rates — parking violations are civil infractions, not moving violations. However, if you had multiple unpaid tickets that resulted in a registration hold, paying them will clear that hold and allow you to renew your registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a parking ticket with cash?
Cash payments are only accepted in person at the Department of Revenue payment center at 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Online and phone payments require a card or electronic check. Mail payments must be by check or money order.
What if I can't find my ticket number?
Use your license plate number and the approximate date of the violation to search the Department of Revenue website. The system will return any tickets associated with that plate. Once you find the correct ticket, you'll see the ticket number and can proceed with payment.
Do I get a refund if I pay and then the ticket is dismissed?
If you pay a ticket and later have it dismissed through a hearing, you can request a refund from the Department of Revenue. You'll need to provide proof of the dismissal and your original payment confirmation. Refunds typically take several weeks to process.
What if my payment didn't go through?
If you received a confirmation number, your payment went through. If you didn't receive a confirmation, try paying again using a different payment method. Check your ticket status on the Department of Revenue website to confirm whether it shows as paid. If you're unsure, call 311 to speak with someone who can verify the payment status.
Can I pay someone else's parking ticket?
Yes, anyone can pay a parking ticket using the ticket number. You don't need to be the vehicle owner or the person who received the ticket. Have the ticket number ready and pay through any of the methods listed above.