Pay your NYC parking ticket through the Department of Finance website or by mail

You can pay an NYC parking ticket online through the Department of Finance's Parking Violations Bureau (PVB) website at nycparkingtickets.org. You'll need your ticket number (the 8-digit number on the front of your ticket) and the license plate number. Payment is accepted by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. The site processes payments when ready, and you'll receive a confirmation number on screen.

If you don't have internet access or prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check or money order to the address printed on the back of your ticket, or pay in person at a Department of Finance office. Mailed payments take longer to process — typically 10 to 15 business days — so if you're close to a important date, online payment is faster.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit nycparkingtickets.org and enter your ticket number and license plate to pay online with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
  • Online payment is processed when ready and gives you a confirmation number, while mailed payments take 10 to 15 business days to record.
  • If you dispute the ticket, you must request a hearing before paying; paying the ticket is considered an admission and closes your right to contest it.
  • Late payment penalties add 10 percent to the original fine after 30 days, and the city can suspend your vehicle registration if the ticket remains unpaid.
  • You can check the status of your ticket or payment at any time on the PVB website using your ticket number.

What happens if you pay late

If you don't pay within 30 days of the ticket date, a late payment penalty of 10 percent is added to your fine. The penalty is calculated on the original fine amount, not the total. For example, a $65 ticket becomes $71.50 after 30 days.

If you continue not to pay, the Department of Finance can suspend your vehicle registration. This suspension prevents you from renewing your registration and can result in additional fines if you drive the vehicle. The suspension remains in place until the ticket and all penalties are paid in full.

How to dispute a ticket instead of paying

If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can request a hearing before you pay. Go to nycparkingtickets.org, enter your ticket number, and select the option to request a hearing. You must do this before paying the ticket — once you pay, you forfeit your right to contest it.

The hearing is conducted by an administrative judge and can be held in person or by video conference. You'll receive a hearing date by mail, usually 4 to 8 weeks after you request one. Bring any evidence you have: photos of the parking sign, proof you were parked legally, or documentation that the meter was broken. The judge will decide whether to uphold, reduce, or dismiss the ticket.

Payment methods and confirmation

The PVB website accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit and debit cards. You can also pay by electronic check if you have a U.S. bank account. There is no fee for online payment through the city's website.

After you submit payment online, you'll see a confirmation number on your screen. Write this number down or take a screenshot. The confirmation appears when ready, but it can take 24 to 48 hours for the payment to show as recorded on the PVB website. If you need proof of payment right away, the confirmation number serves as your receipt.

Checking your ticket status and payment history

You can check whether your payment has been recorded at any time by returning to nycparkingtickets.org and entering your ticket number and license plate. The site will show the ticket amount, the date issued, the violation code, and whether payment has been received.

If you've paid multiple tickets, you can search by license plate to see all tickets associated with that vehicle. This is useful if you're unsure whether a particular ticket has been paid or if you need to track several violations.

What to do if you can't find your ticket number

Your ticket number is the 8-digit number printed on the front of the physical ticket. If you've lost the ticket, you can still pay online by searching for your ticket using your license plate number on nycparkingtickets.org. The site will display all unpaid tickets for that vehicle.

If you received a ticket but never got the physical notice, or if you're unsure whether a ticket exists, search by license plate first. The search results will show any violations issued to that vehicle, the fine amount, and the date issued. From there, you can pay directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a parking ticket by phone?

No. The Department of Finance does not accept phone payments for parking tickets. You must pay online at nycparkingtickets.org, by mail, or in person at a Department of Finance office. Online is the fastest option.

What if I paid online but the website still shows the ticket as unpaid?

Payment processing takes 24 to 48 hours to appear on the website. Check back in two days. If it still shows unpaid after 48 hours, contact the Department of Finance with your confirmation number. Keep the confirmation number you received when ready after payment as proof.

Can I get a refund if I paid a ticket I didn't deserve?

If you paid and then want to contest the ticket, you must request a refund through the Department of Finance. You cannot request a hearing after paying. Contact the PVB office or submit a written request with your ticket number and explanation. Refunds are not automatic and depend on the circumstances.

Will paying a parking ticket affect my driving record or insurance?

No. Parking tickets are civil violations, not moving violations. They do not appear on your driving record and do not affect your car insurance rates. However, unpaid tickets can lead to vehicle registration suspension, which does have legal consequences.

What if my registration is suspended because of an unpaid ticket?

Pay the ticket and all penalties when ready through nycparkingtickets.org or in person. Once payment is recorded, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to reinstate your registration. You may need to provide proof of payment from the Department of Finance.