Where to pay your Boston traffic ticket

You can pay a Boston traffic ticket in three ways: online through the City of Boston's Parking Clerk website, by mail, or in person at the Boston Municipal Court. Online payment is the fastest route if you have your ticket number and a credit or debit card. The Parking Clerk handles parking violations, while the Boston Municipal Court handles moving violations like speeding or running a red light — each has its own payment system.

If you received a parking ticket, go to boston.gov/parking-clerk and enter your ticket number to see the amount due and pay when ready. For moving violations, you will need to contact the Boston Municipal Court at 617-788-8600 or visit their website to find your case and payment options. Paying online stops late fees from accruing and creates an when ready record of payment.

Mailing a check is slower but works if you do not have online access. Include your ticket number, your name, and a copy of the ticket itself. The address for mailed payments appears on the back of your ticket or on the court's website. In-person payment at the court takes longer than online but is an option if you need to speak with staff about the ticket or have questions about the amount.

Key Takeaways

  • Parking tickets in Boston are paid through the City's Parking Clerk website using your ticket number, while moving violations go through the Boston Municipal Court.
  • Online payment stops late fees when ready and is faster than mail or in-person options.
  • You can mail a check with your ticket number and a copy of the ticket, but processing takes longer than online payment.
  • The Boston Municipal Court phone number is 617-788-8600 if you need to locate your case or have questions about the amount owed.

Parking violations versus moving violations

Boston handles parking tickets and moving violations through different departments, and knowing which one you have matters for where you pay. A parking violation is a ticket left on your car for expired meter time, no-parking zone violations, or permit violations. These are handled by the Parking Clerk and paid through their online system or by mail. The ticket itself will say "Parking Violation" and include a ticket number.

A moving violation is a ticket issued by a police officer while you were driving — speeding, running a red light, improper lane change, or expired registration. These go through the Boston Municipal Court system. You will receive a citation with a court date or a notice to pay. If you were not pulled over but received a ticket in the mail (often from a traffic camera), it is still a moving violation and goes through the court.

The back of your ticket or the paperwork you received will state which system handles it. If you are unsure, call 617-788-8600 and provide your ticket number; the court staff can tell you when ready whether it is a parking or moving violation and direct you to the right payment method.

How to pay online through the Parking Clerk

The City of Boston's Parking Clerk website is the fastest way to pay a parking ticket. Go to boston.gov/parking-clerk and look for the "Pay a Parking Ticket" or "Pay Online" link. You will need your ticket number, which appears on the ticket itself — usually a seven or eight-digit number printed clearly at the top or bottom.

Enter your ticket number into the search box. The system will display the violation, the amount due, and any late fees that have accrued. You can then pay with a credit card or debit card. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Payment is processed when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number on screen and via email. Keep this confirmation — it is your proof of payment.

If the system does not find your ticket number, double-check that you entered it correctly. If it still does not appear, the ticket may not yet be in the system (new tickets can take a few days) or it may be a moving violation that goes through the court instead. Call the Parking Clerk at 617-635-4410 if you need help locating your ticket.

Paying through the Boston Municipal Court

Moving violations are paid through the Boston Municipal Court. If you received a citation from a police officer or a notice in the mail about a traffic camera violation, you will need to contact the court to locate your case and pay. Call 617-788-8600 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and have your ticket or citation number ready.

The court staff can tell you the amount owed and whether you can pay over the phone by credit card or debit card. Some violations allow phone payment; others require you to pay in person or by mail. If you have a court date listed on your citation, you can also pay in person at the courthouse before that date. The Boston Municipal Court is located at One Courthouse Way, Boston, MA 02108.

If you received a notice in the mail but no citation number, bring the notice with you or have it available when you call. The court uses information from the notice to pull up your case. Payment by phone or in person stops late fees from accruing and creates an when ready record with the court.

Paying by mail

Mailing a check is an option for both parking and moving violations, though it takes longer than online or phone payment. For parking violations, write a check payable to the City of Boston and include your ticket number on the check itself. Mail it to the address printed on the back of your ticket. Include a copy of the ticket or a note with your ticket number so the Parking Clerk can match the payment to your account.

For moving violations, make your check payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and mail it to the Boston Municipal Court at One Courthouse Way, Boston, MA 02108. Include your citation or ticket number and a copy of the paperwork you received. Mail takes seven to ten business days to arrive, and processing can add another week, so late fees may continue to accrue during that time.

Keep a copy of what you mail and consider using certified mail with return receipt if you want proof the court received your payment. This is slower than paying online or by phone, but it works if you do not have access to a credit card or prefer not to pay electronically.

Late fees and what happens if you do not pay

Boston parking tickets accrue late fees if not paid within a set timeframe — usually 21 days from the ticket date. The exact late fee amount varies but typically adds 10 to 20 percent to the original ticket amount. Moving violations also carry late fees, and the court will notify you of the important date on your citation. Paying online or by phone stops these fees from growing.

If you do not pay a parking ticket, the city can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal and may eventually refer the debt to a collection agency. If you do not pay a moving violation, the court can suspend your driver's license and may issue a warrant for your arrest. These consequences make it important to pay or contact the court if you cannot pay the full amount.

If you cannot afford to pay the full ticket amount, contact the Boston Municipal Court at 617-788-8600 to ask about payment plans or reduced fines. Some violations allow you to request a hearing to contest the ticket, which may result in a lower fine or dismissal. The court can explain your options when you call.

Contesting a ticket instead of paying

You have the right to contest a ticket rather than pay it when ready. For parking violations, you can request a hearing with the Parking Clerk. For moving violations, you can request a hearing with the Boston Municipal Court. Requesting a hearing does not mean you will not have to pay — it means you get a chance to present your side of what happened.

To request a hearing on a parking ticket, contact the Parking Clerk at 617-635-4410 or submit a request through their website. You will need to explain why you believe the ticket was issued in error — for example, if the meter was working, if you had a valid permit, or if the sign was obscured. The Parking Clerk will schedule a hearing, usually within a few weeks.

For moving violations, call the Boston Municipal Court at 617-788-8600 to request a hearing. You will appear before a judge or magistrate who will hear your account of what happened. If the judge finds in your favor, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If not, you will be ordered to pay. Requesting a hearing delays payment but gives you a chance to avoid the fine if you have a valid defense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a Boston traffic ticket by phone?

Yes, but only for moving violations through the Boston Municipal Court. Call 617-788-8600 and have your citation number ready. The court staff will tell you if your violation can be paid by phone with a credit or debit card. Parking violations must be paid online, by mail, or in person.

What if I lost my ticket number?

For parking violations, call the Parking Clerk at 617-635-4410 with your license plate number and the date you received the ticket. For moving violations, call the Boston Municipal Court at 617-788-8600 with your name and driver's license number. Both can look up your case and provide the ticket or citation number.

Do I have to pay if I was not driving the car?

For parking violations, the ticket is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, regardless of who was driving. You are responsible for paying it. For moving violations, the ticket is issued to the driver, not the owner. If someone else was driving your car, you may be able to provide their information to the court, though you may still be liable depending on the circumstances.

What happens if I ignore a Boston traffic ticket?

Ignoring a parking ticket can result in registration holds and collection action. Ignoring a moving violation can lead to license suspension and a warrant for arrest. Late fees also continue to accrue. Contact the court or Parking Clerk as soon as possible if you cannot pay to discuss payment plans or other options.

Can I pay online with a debit card?

Yes. The Parking Clerk website accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover debit cards. The Boston Municipal Court also accepts debit cards when paying by phone. You will need the card number, expiration date, and CVV code.