Where to pay your LA parking ticket
You can pay a Los Angeles parking ticket through the Department of Transportation (LADOT) website, by mail, in person, or by phone. The fastest route is online at ladot.lacity.gov/pay-citation, where you can enter your citation number and pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Payment usually posts within one business day.
If you prefer not to go online, you can mail a check or money order to the address printed on the back of your ticket, call the LADOT citation line at (323) 529-3700 during business hours, or visit a payment location in person. In-person payment at LADOT offices is the slowest option for getting a receipt, but it guarantees the city receives your payment the same day.
Do not send cash by mail. The city will not process it, and you will lose both the money and proof of payment. If you mail a check, include your citation number on the check itself and allow 10 to 14 days for processing.
Key Takeaways
- The online payment portal at ladot.lacity.gov/pay-citation is the fastest way to pay and gives you an when ready receipt.
- You need your citation number to pay, which appears on the ticket itself or in any notice the city mailed you.
- Paying online or by phone takes effect within one business day, while mailed payments take 10 to 14 days to process.
- Late fees and collection actions begin if you do not pay within 21 days of the ticket date, so paying early avoids additional costs.
- Paying a ticket does not mean you cannot contest it later, but you must contest it before paying to preserve your right to a hearing.
What happens if you miss the payment important date
The city gives you 21 days from the ticket date to pay before late fees kick in. If you do not pay by that date, LADOT adds a penalty of 10 percent of the original fine or $25, whichever is greater. After 30 days unpaid, the city may report the debt to a collection agency, which can damage your credit score and result in wage garnishment or bank levies.
If your vehicle registration is up for renewal, the state will not issue a new registration until you pay the ticket. This means you cannot legally drive the car, and driving with an expired registration carries its own fines. The city can also place a hold on your vehicle title, preventing you from selling or trading it in.
If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you still have the right to contest it even after paying. However, contesting after payment is slower and requires filing a formal appeal with the Los Angeles Superior Court. It is easier to contest before you pay by requesting a hearing through LADOT.
How to contest a ticket before paying
If you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly, you can request a hearing instead of paying. You have 21 days from the ticket date to request a hearing in writing or online through the LADOT website. Include your citation number, a brief explanation of why you believe the ticket is wrong, and any supporting documents such as photos, witness statements, or proof that the sign was missing or obscured.
LADOT will schedule a hearing before a hearing officer, usually within 30 to 60 days. You can attend in person or submit your evidence by mail. If the hearing officer rules in your favor, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If the officer upholds the ticket, you then have the option to pay or appeal to Superior Court, which costs more in time and money.
Requesting a hearing does not prevent you from paying later if you change your mind. However, once you pay, the city considers the matter closed, and contesting becomes much harder. If you are uncertain whether you have a valid defense, request the hearing first.
Understanding the citation number and ticket details
Your citation number is a unique identifier printed at the top of your parking ticket. It is the piece of information you need to pay online or by phone. If you lost the physical ticket, you can still find your citation number by calling LADOT at (323) 529-3700 or by visiting the LADOT website and searching for unpaid citations under your license plate number.
The ticket also shows the violation code, which describes what parking rule you broke — for example, expired meter, no parking zone, or blocking a driveway. The fine amount varies by violation type, ranging from $63 to $250 or more for serious violations like blocking a fire hydrant. The ticket date determines your important date: you have 21 days from that date, not from the day you received the notice.
Keep your ticket or a photo of it for your records, even after you pay. If there is a dispute later about whether you paid, you will have proof of the citation number and payment confirmation.
Payment methods and processing times
Online payment through the LADOT website is processed when ready, and you receive a confirmation number when ready. Credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks are all accepted. There is no additional fee for paying online, though your credit card company may charge a cash advance fee if you use a credit card.
Phone payments through (323) 529-3700 are also processed the same day, but you must speak to a representative during business hours. Mailed payments take 10 to 14 business days to clear, so the city may not record your payment until well after you send it. If you are close to the 21-day important date, do not rely on mail.
In-person payment at an LADOT office gives you a receipt on the spot, but you must travel to a payment location during business hours. This method is useful only if you need when ready proof of payment or if you have questions about the ticket that require speaking to staff.
What to do if you cannot pay the full amount
If you cannot pay the full fine by the important date, contact LADOT before the 21-day period ends to discuss a payment plan. The city does not automatically offer installment plans, but staff may work with you on a case-by-case basis, especially if you have a valid reason for the delay. Waiting until after the important date passes makes negotiation much harder and allows late fees to accumulate.
Some people mistakenly believe that requesting a hearing delays the payment important date. It does not. You still have 21 days to pay or request a hearing. If you request a hearing and lose, you then have a new important date to pay the upheld fine. Plan accordingly if money is tight.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, explain your situation when you call. LADOT staff cannot waive fines, but they can sometimes extend the important date or set up a payment arrangement that prevents collection action and registration holds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a parking ticket with a credit card over the phone?
Yes. Call LADOT at (323) 529-3700 during business hours and provide your citation number and credit card information. The payment is processed when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number. Online payment is faster and does not require speaking to anyone, but phone payment works if you prefer to talk to a representative.
What if I paid the ticket but LADOT says I still owe money?
Check your payment confirmation number and the date the payment posted. Mailed payments take 10 to 14 days to appear in the system, so the city may not have recorded it yet. If you paid online or by phone more than one business day ago, call LADOT with your confirmation number to verify the payment went through. If there is an error, ask for a supervisor to correct the record.
Does paying a parking ticket affect my driving record or insurance?
No. Parking tickets are civil violations, not moving violations, so they do not appear on your driving record and do not affect your insurance rates. However, unpaid tickets can damage your credit score if they go to a collection agency, and they will prevent your vehicle registration from renewing.
Can I dispute a ticket after I have already paid it?
It is much harder after paying. You would need to file a formal appeal with the Los Angeles Superior Court, which requires filing fees and more paperwork. It is better to request a hearing before you pay. If you already paid and believe the ticket was wrong, contact LADOT to ask about your options, but expect the process to be slower and more expensive.
What if the parking sign was missing or hard to read?
That is a valid defense. Request a hearing and submit photos of the location showing the missing or obscured sign, along with the date and time you took them. Include a written explanation of why you could not see the sign. The hearing officer will consider whether a reasonable driver would have known the parking restriction applied.