Pay your NYC parking ticket through the Department of Finance website or by phone
You can pay a New York City parking ticket online through the Department of Finance's Parking Violations Bureau website, by phone, or by mail. The online method is fastest — you'll need your ticket number (also called a violation number) and the license plate number. Payment goes through when ready, and you receive a confirmation number.
The Department of Finance accepts credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks online. If you pay by phone, call 311 from within New York City or (212) 639-9675 from outside the city. Mail payments should be sent to the address printed on the back of your ticket.
You have 30 days from the ticket date to pay without additional penalties. After 30 days, the fine increases and the city may place a boot on your vehicle or report the debt to a collection agency.
Key Takeaways
- Visit the Department of Finance Parking Violations Bureau website and enter your ticket number and license plate to pay online with a credit or debit card.
- Payment must be made within 30 days of the ticket date, or the fine increases and collection action may begin.
- If you dispute the ticket, you must request a hearing before paying; paying the fine means you accept the violation.
- The online system provides an when ready confirmation number, which serves as proof of payment.
- You can also pay by phone at 311 or (212) 639-9675, or by mail using the envelope on the back of your ticket.
Steps to pay online through the Department of Finance
Go to the Department of Finance website and select "Pay a Parking Violation." You will be asked for your ticket number (a seven-digit number on the front of your ticket) and your license plate number. Enter both exactly as they appear on the ticket.
The system will display the violation, the fine amount, and any late fees that have accrued. Review this information to confirm it matches your ticket. Then select your payment method — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or e-check — and enter your payment details.
After payment processes, you will receive a confirmation number on screen. Write this down or take a screenshot. The Department of Finance will also send a receipt to the email address you provide, though this may take a few hours.
What happens if you don't pay within 30 days
If you do not pay within 30 days of the ticket date, the fine increases by 10 percent. The city also adds a late fee. After 60 days without payment, the Department of Finance may report the debt to a collection agency, which can affect your credit score.
The city can also place a boot (a wheel lock) on your vehicle if the debt remains unpaid. You cannot drive the vehicle until you pay the full amount, including all penalties and the boot removal fee. Additionally, the city may refuse to renew your vehicle registration until all parking violations are paid.
Disputing a ticket instead of paying
If you believe the ticket was issued in error — for example, you were parked legally, the sign was obscured, or the meter was broken — you can request a hearing before paying. You must request the hearing within 30 days of the ticket date. Requesting a hearing does not stop the 30-day payment clock; you still need to pay or request a hearing within that window.
To request a hearing, visit the Department of Finance website, select "Request a Hearing," and enter your ticket number. You can also call 311 to request a hearing by phone. The city will schedule a hearing date and send you a notice by mail.
At the hearing, you can present evidence — photos, witness statements, or documentation of the sign condition — to support your case. An administrative judge will decide whether to uphold or dismiss the violation. If the violation is dismissed, you owe nothing. If it is upheld, you must pay the fine.
Payment methods and fees
Online payment through the Department of Finance website accepts all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and e-checks. There is no additional processing fee for online payment — you pay only the fine and any late fees that have accrued.
Payment by phone (311 or (212) 639-9675) also accepts credit and debit cards with no additional fee. Payment by mail requires a check or money order; do not send cash. Mail payments take longer to process — allow at least two weeks for the city to receive and record your payment.
Tracking your payment and getting a receipt
After you pay online, the Department of Finance system displays a confirmation number when ready. This number is your proof of payment. Keep it in case you need to dispute a charge or verify that payment was received.
The Department of Finance will email a receipt to the address you provide during payment. Check your email (including spam folders) within a few hours of payment. If you do not receive an email receipt within 24 hours, log back into the Department of Finance website and search for your ticket number to confirm the payment was processed.
If you paid by phone or mail, request a receipt at the time of payment or include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your mailed check. The city processes mail payments slowly, so online or phone payment is faster if you need when ready confirmation.
What to do if you lose or cannot find your ticket number
Your ticket number is a seven-digit number printed on the front of your parking ticket. If you have lost the physical ticket, you can search for the violation using your license plate number and the date you received the ticket.
Visit the Department of Finance website and select "Search for a Violation." Enter your license plate number and the date range when you believe you received the ticket. The system will display all violations associated with that plate. Once you locate the correct violation, you can pay it online using the ticket number shown in the search results.
If you cannot locate your violation online, call 311 and provide your license plate number and the approximate date of the ticket. The Department of Finance can look up the violation and provide you with the ticket number over the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a parking ticket online if I received it in a different city or state?
No. The Department of Finance website only handles parking violations issued in New York City. If you received a ticket in another city or state, you must contact that jurisdiction's parking or traffic authority. The payment method and important date will differ depending on where the ticket was issued.
What if I paid my ticket but the city says I still owe money?
Check your confirmation number and the email receipt from the Department of Finance. If you paid online, log into the Department of Finance website and search for your ticket to confirm the payment was recorded. If the payment shows as received but the city is still demanding payment, call 311 with your confirmation number and ask them to investigate the discrepancy.
Do I have to pay the ticket if I plan to dispute it?
No. You can request a hearing without paying first. However, you must request the hearing within 30 days of the ticket date. If you request a hearing and the violation is upheld, you will then owe the fine plus any late fees that have accrued during the hearing process.
Can I pay someone else's parking ticket online?
Yes. You can pay any parking ticket online if you have the ticket number and license plate number. The Department of Finance does not require you to be the vehicle owner or the person who received the ticket. You straightforward enter the ticket information and pay with your own credit or debit card.
What if my credit card payment was declined?
The Department of Finance website will display an error message if your payment fails. Try paying again with the same card, or use a different card. If the problem persists, call 311 and pay by phone instead. You can also pay by mail or e-check if online card payment is not working.