How to pay a Los Angeles parking ticket
You can pay a Los Angeles parking ticket online through the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) website, by mail, or in person at a payment location. The fastest route is online at ladot.lacity.gov/pay-citation — you'll need your citation number and the license plate number. Payment by mail goes to the address printed on the back of your ticket. In-person payment is available at LADOT's downtown office and several other city locations during business hours.
The amount you owe depends on the violation type and where you parked. Meter violations, street cleaning violations, and disabled parking violations each carry different base fines, ranging from roughly $65 to $250 for a first offense. Late fees add $10 to $25 if you don't pay within 21 days of receiving the ticket. If you ignore the ticket entirely, the city can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal and report the debt to credit agencies.
Payment important date matter because missing them triggers escalating consequences. You have 21 days from the ticket date to pay without a late fee. After 21 days, the late fee kicks in. If you don't pay within 100 days, the city can suspend your vehicle registration and report you to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which can affect your ability to renew your license plates.
Key Takeaways
- Pay online at ladot.lacity.gov/pay-citation using your citation number and license plate, or pay by mail to the address on the back of your ticket.
- You have 21 days from the ticket date to pay without a late fee; after that, a $10 to $25 late fee is added.
- Ignoring a parking ticket can result in registration suspension and a hold on your ability to renew your license plates.
- If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can request a hearing through LADOT's citation review process within 21 days.
Contesting a parking ticket in Los Angeles
If you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly — for example, you were parked legally, the sign was missing or unclear, or you have a valid permit — you can request a hearing. You must submit your request within 21 days of the ticket date. The easiest way is online through the LADOT website; you can also mail a written request to the address on the back of your ticket.
When you request a hearing, explain why you believe the citation was wrong and include any supporting evidence: photos of the parking sign, a copy of your permit, proof you were parked in a legal spot, or documentation of a disability placard. LADOT will review your submission and either dismiss the ticket, uphold it, or offer a reduced fine. The entire process typically takes 30 to 60 days.
If LADOT upholds the ticket after your hearing request, you can appeal to the Los Angeles Superior Court, but this requires filing court paperwork and paying a filing fee. Most people find it more practical to pay the ticket or negotiate a payment plan than to pursue a court appeal, unless the fine is substantial or you have strong evidence the ticket was issued in error.
Payment plans and reduced fines
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, LADOT offers payment plans. You can request a plan online or by calling LADOT's citation line. Plans typically allow you to split the balance into two or three payments over 30 to 90 days. The city does not charge interest on payment plans, but you must make payments on time or the plan can be cancelled and the full balance becomes due when ready.
Some tickets may be reduced if you can show financial hardship. You can request a reduction when you pay or as part of a hearing request. LADOT considers factors like income and existing debt, though reduction is not may provide. Hardship reductions are typically 50 percent of the original fine, but the city evaluates each case individually.
What happens if you don't pay
Unpaid parking tickets in Los Angeles trigger a series of escalating consequences. After 21 days, a late fee is added. After 100 days without payment, LADOT reports the debt to the DMV, which places a hold on your vehicle registration. This means you cannot renew your license plates until the ticket is paid. The hold remains in place even if you move out of Los Angeles.
If your registration renewal is blocked, you cannot legally drive the vehicle. Driving with expired plates can result in a traffic citation and additional fines. The parking ticket debt can also be reported to credit agencies, which affects your credit score. In rare cases, the city can pursue collection through a collection agency or small claims court.
If you have multiple unpaid parking tickets, the consequences compound. The DMV hold applies to your entire registration record, not just one vehicle. Clearing the hold requires paying all outstanding tickets or setting up a payment plan that covers all of them.
Where to pay in person
LADOT's main payment office is located at 221 North Figueroa Street, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but you should confirm current hours on the LADOT website before visiting. Bring your citation number, the ticket itself, and a valid payment method (cash, check, or card).
Several other city locations accept parking ticket payments, including some Department of Motor Vehicles offices and city service centers. The LADOT website lists all payment locations and their hours. In-person payment is processed when ready, and you receive a receipt on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a Los Angeles parking ticket online without a citation number?
No, you need your citation number to pay online. If you've lost the ticket, you can look up the citation using your license plate number on the LADOT website, or call LADOT's citation line for information. Once you have the citation number, you can proceed with online payment.
What if I paid the ticket but my registration is still on hold?
After you pay, it can take 7 to 10 business days for LADOT to report the payment to the DMV and for the hold to be lifted. If more than two weeks have passed since payment and the hold is still active, contact LADOT with your payment confirmation to verify the payment was processed correctly.
Do parking tickets in Los Angeles affect my driving record or insurance?
Parking tickets do not appear on your driving record and do not directly affect your auto insurance rates. However, if an unpaid ticket leads to a registration hold and you drive with expired plates, the resulting traffic citation can affect your record and insurance. Paying the parking ticket on time avoids this chain of consequences.
Can I transfer a parking ticket to someone else or dispute it if I was the passenger?
The ticket is issued to the vehicle owner, not the driver. If you were not the owner but received the ticket, you can request a hearing and explain that you were not responsible for parking the vehicle. Bring evidence showing who actually parked it. The vehicle owner can also request a hearing on your behalf.
What if my parking ticket is from several years ago and I never paid it?
Old unpaid tickets still carry the same consequences: registration holds, credit reporting, and potential collection action. Contact LADOT to find out the current balance, which may include late fees and collection costs. You can still set up a payment plan or request a hearing, though the hearing window has passed. Paying or arranging a plan is the fastest way to clear the registration hold.