Where to pay your NYC parking ticket
You can pay a parking ticket issued in New York City through the Department of Finance's Parking Violations Bureau (PVB), either online, by mail, or in person. The fastest route is the PVB website at nycparkingtickets.info, where you can search for your ticket by plate number or violation number and pay when ready with a credit or debit card. Payment goes through right away, and you receive a confirmation number.
If you prefer not to use the website, you can mail a check or money order to the address printed on your ticket, or visit a PVB office in person. There are PVB payment locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Payment by mail takes longer to process — typically two to three weeks — so if you have a court date or need proof of payment quickly, online or in-person payment is better.
You can also pay by phone by calling the PVB at 311 and selecting the parking violations option, though you will need your ticket number and a credit or debit card ready. Phone lines can have long wait times, especially during business hours.
Key Takeaways
- The PVB website at nycparkingtickets.info is the fastest way to pay; payment posts when ready and you get a confirmation number.
- You need either your license plate number or your violation number to search for the ticket online.
- Paying online or in person stops late fees and additional penalties from accruing, but does not erase the violation from your record.
- If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can contest it through the PVB before paying, though you must do so within 30 days of the ticket date.
How much you will owe
The fine amount depends on the type of violation. Common parking violations in NYC range from $45 for expired meter violations to $115 for blocking a fire hydrant or bus stop. The PVB website shows the exact fine for your violation when you search for your ticket number. If you do not pay within a set time frame, late fees are added — typically $10 for violations under $100 and $25 for violations $100 or more.
The important date to pay without incurring late fees is usually 30 days from the ticket date, though the exact date is printed on your ticket. After that, the late fee is added automatically. If you continue not to pay, additional penalties can accumulate, and the city may place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal or report the debt to a collection agency.
What happens if you do not pay
Unpaid parking tickets create a debt with the city that does not go away on its own. After 30 days, a late fee is added. After 60 days, the PVB may issue a notice of violation and refer the debt to the Department of Finance's collection unit. If the debt remains unpaid, the city can place a scofflaw hold on your vehicle — a block that prevents you from renewing your registration until the ticket is paid.
The city can also report the unpaid debt to credit reporting agencies, which can affect your credit score. In some cases, the city may boot your vehicle (immobilize it with a wheel lock) if you have multiple unpaid violations. Towing and booting fees are separate from the original ticket and can cost hundreds of dollars.
If you own a vehicle registered in New York State, unpaid NYC parking tickets can also prevent you from renewing your registration with the DMV. The DMV checks for outstanding parking debt before issuing a new registration.
Contesting a ticket instead of paying
If you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly — for example, you were parked legally, the sign was obscured, or the meter was broken — you can contest it through the PVB instead of paying. You have 30 days from the ticket date to request a hearing. You can request a hearing by mail, online through the PVB website, or in person at a PVB office.
When you request a hearing, you do not pay the fine. Instead, you present your case to a hearing officer, either in writing or in person. If the hearing officer finds in your favor, the ticket is dismissed and you owe nothing. If the officer upholds the ticket, you then owe the fine plus any late fees that have accrued. Requesting a hearing does not stop late fees from being added if you miss the 30-day important date, so act quickly if you plan to contest.
Bring evidence to support your case: photos of the parking sign or meter, receipts showing you paid the meter, or documentation that the sign was missing or illegible. Hearing officers see many cases and respond to concrete evidence more than to explanations alone.
Payment methods and what to expect
Online payment through nycparkingtickets.info accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. There is no fee added for paying by card online. Payment posts when ready, and you can print or save your confirmation number right away.
If you pay by mail, send a check or money order made out to the "Department of Finance" to the address on your ticket. Include your ticket number and license plate number on the check. Mail payment takes two to three weeks to process, so do not assume the ticket is paid until you receive written confirmation from the PVB.
In-person payment at a PVB office is processed the same day. Bring your ticket or ticket number, a valid ID, and cash, check, or card. Office hours vary by location, so check the PVB website for the office nearest you before you go.
Parking tickets and your vehicle registration
Unpaid parking tickets do not automatically prevent you from registering your vehicle, but they create a debt that the city can enforce through a registration hold. If you have three or more unpaid parking violations, or if your total unpaid parking debt exceeds a certain amount (which varies), the city may place a scofflaw hold on your registration. When you try to renew your registration with the DMV, the system will flag the hold and deny the renewal until the parking debt is resolved.
If you are renewing your registration and discover a hold, you must pay the outstanding parking tickets through the PVB before the DMV will process your renewal. You cannot renew online or by mail if a hold is in place — you will have to visit a DMV office in person after the debt is cleared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a parking ticket with cash at a PVB office?
Yes. PVB offices accept cash, check, and card payments in person. Bring your ticket or ticket number and a valid ID. Payment is processed the same day, and you receive a receipt when ready.
What if I lost my parking ticket?
You do not need the physical ticket to pay. Go to nycparkingtickets.info and search by your license plate number or violation number (if you have it). The system will pull up all outstanding violations for that plate, and you can pay any of them online.
Does paying a parking ticket remove it from my driving record?
No. Paying the ticket settles the debt with the city, but the violation remains on your record. Parking violations do not affect your driving record or insurance the way traffic violations do, but the city keeps a record of all violations issued to your vehicle.
Can I set up a payment plan if I cannot pay the full amount now?
The PVB does not offer payment plans for individual parking tickets. You must pay the full amount. If you are facing financial hardship, contact the PVB office directly to discuss your situation — they may have options in specific circumstances, but this is not may provide.
How long does it take for an online payment to show up?
Online payments through nycparkingtickets.info post when ready. You receive a confirmation number right away, and the ticket is marked as paid in the system. You do not have to wait for a mailed confirmation.