Where to pay your Los Angeles parking ticket
You can pay a Los Angeles parking ticket through the Department of Transportation (DOT) website, by mail, in person, or by phone. The fastest route is the DOT website at ladot.lacity.gov/citations, where you can pay with a credit or debit card using your citation number. You'll need the citation number printed on your ticket — it's the seven-digit number at the top of the notice.
If you don't have internet access or prefer to pay by phone, call the DOT Citation Processing Unit at (323) 529-3900. Payment by phone requires a credit or debit card. You can also mail a check or money order to the address printed on the back of your ticket, though mail payments take longer to process and may incur late fees if they arrive after the due date.
In-person payment is available at the DOT Customer Service Center at 221 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They accept cash, check, credit card, and debit card. Bring your citation with you.
Key Takeaways
- Pay online at ladot.lacity.gov/citations using your citation number and a credit or debit card — this is the fastest method and shows proof of payment when ready.
- The due date for payment is printed on the back of your ticket; paying after that date adds a late fee and may result in additional penalties.
- You can pay by phone at (323) 529-3900, by mail to the address on your ticket, or in person at 221 North Figueroa Street during business hours.
- If you dispute the ticket, you must request a hearing within 21 days of receiving the citation — paying the ticket waives your right to contest it.
Payment important date and late fees
The due date for payment is printed on the back of your parking ticket. Most tickets must be paid within 21 days of the citation date. If you pay after the due date, the City of Los Angeles adds a late fee to your balance. The amount of the late fee varies depending on how far past the due date you pay, but it typically ranges from $10 to $50 or more.
If you don't pay by the important date and don't request a hearing to contest the ticket, the city may refer your account to a collection agency. This can affect your credit report and may result in additional collection fees. The city can also place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal until the ticket is paid, which means you won't be able to renew your registration with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Contesting a parking ticket in Los Angeles
If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you have the right to request a hearing. You must submit your request within 21 days of the citation date — this important date is strict, and requests submitted after 21 days are typically rejected. Submit your hearing request through the DOT website, by mail to the address on your ticket, or in person at the Customer Service Center.
When you request a hearing, explain why you believe the ticket should not have been issued. Common reasons include: the parking sign was missing or unclear, you were parked legally, the meter was broken, or the citation was issued in error. Include any supporting evidence, such as photographs of the parking area or proof that the meter was malfunctioning.
A hearing officer will review your case and the officer's citation report. The hearing may be conducted in person or by mail, depending on the complexity of your case. If the hearing officer finds in your favor, the ticket is dismissed and any payment you've made is refunded. If the officer upholds the ticket, you can appeal the decision to the Los Angeles Superior Court, though this requires filing a separate legal action.
What happens if you don't pay
Ignoring a parking ticket creates a cascade of problems. After 60 days without payment or a hearing request, the city sends a notice of delinquency. If you still don't respond, your case may be referred to a collection agency, which adds collection costs to your debt. The city can also report the unpaid ticket to credit bureaus, which damages your credit score.
The most when ready consequence for vehicle owners is that the city places a hold on your vehicle registration. When you try to renew your registration with the California DMV, the system flags the unpaid parking ticket and blocks the renewal. You cannot legally drive the vehicle without current registration, so this effectively prevents you from using your car until the ticket is resolved.
In rare cases, if you accumulate multiple unpaid parking tickets, the city may boot your vehicle (immobilize it with a wheel lock) or arrange for it to be towed. This happens most often when tickets are severely delinquent and collection efforts have failed.
Payment options and what to do after paying
Los Angeles accepts multiple payment methods depending on how you pay. Online and by phone, you can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. In person and by mail, you can pay with cash, check, money order, or card. There is no fee for paying online or by phone, but some payment methods may have processing times.
After you pay online or by phone, you receive a confirmation number when ready. Save this number — it serves as proof of payment. If you pay by mail, keep a copy of your check or money order and the envelope receipt. If you pay in person, ask for a receipt.
Once your payment is processed, the city updates your account within one to three business days. You can check the status of your payment on the DOT website using your citation number. If you had a registration hold due to the unpaid ticket, that hold is lifted once the payment clears, and you can proceed with your registration renewal.
Understanding citation amounts and what you're paying for
Parking ticket amounts in Los Angeles vary based on the violation. Common violations and their base fines include: parking in a red zone ($73 to $100), parking in a no-parking zone ($73 to $100), expired meter ($63 to $100), parking in a disabled zone without a permit ($250 to $500), and parking in a street-cleaning zone ($65 to $100). These are base amounts; the actual fine may be higher depending on the specific circumstances.
The amount printed on your ticket is the total you owe, including the base fine and any applicable penalties. If you pay late, additional late fees are added on top of this amount. The ticket itself does not affect your driving record or insurance rates — it's a civil penalty, not a traffic violation. However, if the ticket goes to collections, it can impact your credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a parking ticket online without a citation number?
No, you need your citation number to pay online. The citation number is the seven-digit number at the top of your ticket. If you've lost your ticket, call (323) 529-3900 with your license plate number and the approximate date and location of the citation, and DOT staff can look up your citation number.
What if I paid my ticket but still can't renew my registration?
Payment processing takes one to three business days. Check the DOT website using your citation number to confirm your payment has been processed. If it shows as paid but your registration is still blocked, contact DOT at (323) 529-3900 to verify the hold has been lifted in the DMV system.
Do I have to pay a parking ticket if I'm planning to move out of California?
Yes. Even if you leave California, the unpaid ticket remains on your record. If you return to California or try to register a vehicle in another state, the ticket may appear on background checks or affect your ability to register. It's better to resolve it before you leave.
Can I negotiate or reduce a parking ticket amount?
You cannot negotiate the fine amount directly. Your only option is to request a hearing within 21 days and present evidence that the ticket was issued in error. If the hearing officer agrees, the ticket is dismissed. Otherwise, you owe the full amount shown on the citation.
What if the parking sign was missing or hard to read?
This is a valid reason to contest the ticket. Request a hearing within 21 days and include photographs of the parking area showing the missing or unclear sign. Explain in your hearing request that you could not reasonably have known the parking restriction. The hearing officer will review your evidence and the officer's citation report.