Where to pay your NYC traffic ticket
New York City traffic tickets are paid through the Department of Finance's NYC.gov Pay system, which is the official online payment portal for the city. You can pay a ticket online, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment location — but the online system is the fastest and most direct route.
To pay online, go to nycgov.info/payonline or search "NYC.gov Pay" from the main NYC.gov website. You will need your ticket number (also called a violation number) and either your driver's license number or the vehicle's license plate number. The system accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call the Department of Finance at 311 (or 212-788-8000 from outside New York City) to pay by phone. Payment by phone is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.
Key Takeaways
- NYC.gov Pay is the official online system for traffic ticket payment and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- You need your ticket number and either your driver's license number or license plate number to look up and pay a ticket online.
- Payment by phone through 311 is available during business hours if you cannot or do not want to pay online.
- Late payment penalties add to your ticket amount, so paying within the timeframe on your ticket notice avoids extra charges.
What information you need before you start
Before you go to NYC.gov Pay, gather the ticket number from your violation notice. This is a seven-digit number printed on the ticket itself. If you have lost the physical ticket, you can still search for it using your driver's license number or license plate number, but having the ticket number makes the process faster.
If you are paying for a vehicle registered to someone else, you will need that person's driver's license number or the license plate number. The system does not require you to prove ownership — it only needs information to locate the ticket in the city's database.
How the online payment process works
Once you are on the NYC.gov Pay website, enter your ticket number or search by driver's license or plate number. The system will display the ticket details, including the violation, the fine amount, and the due date. Review this information to make sure it matches your ticket.
Select your payment method — credit card, debit card, or electronic check — and enter the payment information. The system processes the payment when ready. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email if you provide an email address. Keep this confirmation number in case you need to reference the payment later.
Payment is final once you submit it. The Department of Finance typically records the payment in their system within one business day, though it may take longer during high-volume periods.
Payment important date and late penalties
Your ticket notice shows a due date for payment. This date is usually 30 days from when you received the ticket, though it can vary depending on the violation type. Paying by the due date avoids additional penalties.
If you do not pay by the due date, the city adds a late penalty to your fine. The amount of the late penalty depends on how long the ticket remains unpaid and the original fine amount. The longer you wait, the more you owe. If a ticket goes unpaid for a long time, the city may suspend your vehicle registration or driver's license, which prevents you from renewing either one.
Other ways to pay if you cannot pay online
If you prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check or money order to the Department of Finance. Include your ticket number on the check and mail it to the address shown on your ticket notice. Payment by mail takes longer to process — typically two to three weeks — so the city must receive your payment before the due date for it to count as on-time.
You can also pay in person at a Department of Finance payment location. These are located throughout the city; you can find the nearest one on NYC.gov by searching "Department of Finance payment locations." Bring your ticket and a form of payment (cash, check, or card). In-person payment is processed when ready.
What happens if you dispute the ticket
If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you have the right to contest it before paying. You can request a hearing through the Parking Violations Bureau (for parking tickets) or the Traffic Violations Bureau (for moving violations). The notice on your ticket explains how to request a hearing and the important date for doing so — usually within 30 days.
If you request a hearing, do not pay the ticket online until the hearing is complete. Paying the ticket is considered an admission of the violation and may prevent you from contesting it. If you lose the hearing or do not show up, you will then owe the fine plus any late penalties that have accumulated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a ticket that is several months old?
Yes, you can pay an old ticket at any time through NYC.gov Pay. However, late penalties will have been added to the original fine amount. The longer the ticket has been unpaid, the more you owe in total. Paying when ready stops additional penalties from building up.
What if I do not have a ticket number?
You can search for your ticket using your driver's license number or license plate number on NYC.gov Pay. The system will display all tickets associated with that information. This takes slightly longer than entering the ticket number directly, but it works if you have lost the physical notice.
Is there a fee to pay online through NYC.gov Pay?
No. The city does not charge a processing fee for paying online through the official NYC.gov Pay system. Credit card companies or your bank may charge their own fees for the transaction, but the city itself does not add anything to the fine amount.
Can I pay someone else's ticket?
Yes. You do not need to be the ticket holder or vehicle owner to pay a ticket through NYC.gov Pay. You only need the ticket number or the vehicle information to look it up and pay it. The system does not verify who is making the payment.
What if my payment was rejected?
If your card or check was declined, the system will show an error message. Try again with a different payment method, or call 311 to pay by phone. If the problem persists, contact the Department of Finance directly at 212-788-8000 to troubleshoot the issue.