Where to pay your Los Angeles parking ticket

You can pay a Los Angeles parking ticket online through the Department of Transportation (LADOT) website, by mail, in person at a payment location, or by phone. The online option is fastest — you'll need your citation number and the amount due, and payment posts within one business day. If you don't have internet access or prefer to pay in person, LADOT has payment kiosks at multiple locations across the city, and you can also mail a check or money order to the address printed on your ticket.

The phone number for LADOT's parking citation line is (323) 529-3900. Staff can confirm the amount owed and accept payment by credit card or debit card, though a convenience fee applies. Payment by phone typically takes three to five business days to post to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through LADOT's website is the fastest method and posts within one business day, with no additional fees.
  • You need your citation number to pay online, by phone, or at a kiosk — this number appears on the ticket itself.
  • Paying by phone or credit card at a kiosk adds a convenience fee of roughly 2 to 3 percent, so check the exact amount before confirming.
  • If you miss the payment important date, late fees and collection actions can follow, so paying within 21 days of the ticket date is important.

Payment important date and late fees

You have 21 days from the ticket date to pay without penalty. If you pay after that window but before 30 days, a late fee is added to your original citation amount. After 30 days, LADOT may refer your ticket to a collections agency, which can report the debt to credit bureaus and affect your ability to renew your vehicle registration.

If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can contest it within 21 days by requesting a hearing. This does not stop the clock on payment — if you lose the hearing, you'll owe the original amount plus any accrued late fees. Contesting does not pause the important date.

Online payment through LADOT

Go to the LADOT parking citations website and select "Pay a Citation." Enter your citation number (the 10-digit number on your ticket) and the amount due. The site will confirm the ticket details before you proceed to payment. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check at no additional cost.

After you submit payment, you'll receive a confirmation number on screen. Save or print this number — it's your proof of payment. The transaction typically posts to your account within one business day, and you can check the status by entering your citation number again on the same page.

Payment by mail

Write a check or money order for the exact amount shown on your ticket. Include your citation number on the check itself. Mail it to the address printed on the back of your ticket — this is usually the LADOT office that issued the citation. Include your name, address, and phone number in case there are questions.

Mail payment takes longer to post than online or in-person payment — typically 10 to 15 business days from the time LADOT receives it. To be safe, mail your payment at least two weeks before the 21-day important date. Keep a copy of your check or a photo of the money order receipt as proof in case there's a delay.

In-person payment at LADOT locations

LADOT operates payment kiosks and walk-in offices across Los Angeles. The main office is at 221 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Payment kiosks are also located at several DMV offices and other city facilities. You can bring cash, a check, or a card to pay in person.

If you pay by card at a kiosk, a convenience fee applies — typically 2 to 3 percent of the citation amount. Cash and check payments have no additional fee. Payment posts when ready when you pay in person, so you'll have proof right away. Call (323) 529-3900 to confirm the hours and locations of kiosks nearest you.

What happens if you don't pay

After 30 days without payment, LADOT refers unpaid citations to a collections agency. The debt can be reported to credit bureaus, which affects your credit score. When you try to renew your vehicle registration, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will flag the unpaid citation and may deny renewal until the ticket is paid.

If your registration lapses because of an unpaid parking ticket, driving with an expired registration is a separate violation. The best course is to pay the original ticket as soon as possible, even if it's past the 21-day important date. Late fees are usually less expensive than the cost of dealing with a suspended registration or collection action.

Contesting a parking ticket

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 request a hearing within 21 days. Submit a written request to the address on your ticket or request a hearing online through LADOT's website. Include photos, receipts, or other evidence that supports your case.

A hearing officer will review your evidence and the officer's notes. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If you lose, you must pay the full amount plus any late fees that have accrued. Requesting a hearing does not pause the payment important date, so plan accordingly if you want to contest the ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a parking ticket online without a citation number?

No, you need the citation number to look up your ticket online. If you've lost the ticket, call LADOT at (323) 529-3900 with your license plate number and they can provide the citation number and amount due.

What if I pay online but the payment doesn't go through?

Check your bank or credit card statement to confirm whether the charge posted. If money was deducted but LADOT shows no payment, contact LADOT with your confirmation number from the online transaction. Keep that confirmation number as proof until the payment appears in their system.

Do I have to pay the ticket if I was parked legally?

If you believe you were parked legally, request a hearing within 21 days. Bring evidence such as photos of the parking sign, a receipt showing you paid the meter, or a copy of a valid permit. The hearing officer will decide whether the ticket should be dismissed.

What happens to my vehicle registration if I don't pay?

The DMV will not renew your registration until the parking ticket is paid. You can still pay the ticket at any time — even years later — to clear the hold and renew your registration. Late fees will be added, so paying sooner is cheaper.

Can I set up a payment plan for a parking ticket?

LADOT does not offer formal payment plans for parking citations. You must pay the full amount by the important date or request a hearing to contest it. If you're unable to pay, contact LADOT at (323) 529-3900 to discuss your situation.