Where to pay your NYC traffic ticket

You can pay a traffic ticket in New York City through the Department of Finance's Parking Violations Bureau (PVB) if it's a parking or camera violation, or through the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) if it's a moving violation like speeding or running a red light. The method you use depends on the type of violation and whether you want to contest it.

For parking violations and camera-issued tickets (red light cameras, speed cameras), you pay through the PVB online at nycparkingtickets.org, by phone at 311, by mail, or in person at a PVB office. For moving violations issued by police, you must respond through the TVB, which handles tickets for speeding, failure to stop, unsafe lane changes, and similar offenses.

The ticket itself will tell you which bureau issued it and provide instructions. Read the violation notice carefully — it includes a violation code, the fine amount, and your important date to respond, which is typically 30 days from the ticket date.

Key Takeaways

  • Parking and camera violations go to the Parking Violations Bureau; moving violations go to the Traffic Violations Bureau, and the ticket tells you which one.
  • You have 30 days from the ticket date to pay, contest, or request a hearing, and missing this important date can result in additional penalties and license suspension.
  • Paying online through nycparkingtickets.org is the fastest method for parking violations; moving violations require you to respond by mail or in person.
  • If you believe the ticket is wrong, you can request a hearing before a judge instead of paying, and you do not need a lawyer to do so.

Paying a parking or camera violation online

Go to nycparkingtickets.org and enter your ticket number and license plate number. The site will display the violation, fine amount, and any late fees that have accrued. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Payment is processed when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number.

Online payment is available 24 hours a day and is the fastest way to resolve a parking ticket. If you pay within 30 days of the ticket date, you pay only the base fine. After 30 days, late fees are added automatically.

If you cannot find your ticket on the website, call 311 and provide your license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN). The operator can look up the ticket and tell you the fine amount.

Paying by mail or phone

To pay by mail, send a check or money order to the address printed on the back of your ticket. Include the ticket number and your license plate number with your payment. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to process, so send it early if your important date is approaching.

To pay by phone, call 311 and provide your ticket number. You can pay with a credit card or debit card over the phone. Have your ticket in front of you when you call so you can give the operator the violation number and fine amount.

Both methods charge the same fine as online payment if you pay within 30 days. After 30 days, late fees explore regardless of how you pay.

Paying a moving violation through the Traffic Violations Bureau

Moving violations — tickets issued by a police officer for speeding, failure to stop, unsafe lane changes, or similar offenses — are handled by the Traffic Violations Bureau, not the Parking Violations Bureau. You cannot pay these tickets online through nycparkingtickets.org.

Instead, you must respond to the ticket by mail or in person within 30 days. Your options are to plead guilty and pay the fine, plead not guilty and request a hearing, or request a hearing and submit evidence by mail without appearing in person.

To respond by mail, fill out the back of your ticket and send it with a check or money order to the address listed on the ticket. Include a copy of your ticket and a brief written statement if you are contesting the violation. To respond in person, visit a TVB office — there are locations in each borough — and speak with a clerk who can explain your options.

What happens if you miss the important date

If you do not pay or respond within 30 days, the fine increases and additional penalties are added. The Department of Finance will send you a notice of violation and a new, higher amount due. If you continue not to pay, your driver's license can be suspended, and the debt can be reported to credit agencies.

If you miss the important date but want to pay now, you can still do so, but you will owe the original fine plus late fees. Contact the PVB or TVB to find out the current amount owed. Paying late does not remove the suspension — you must also request a hearing or provide proof of payment to have the suspension lifted.

If your license has been suspended due to unpaid tickets, you can restore it by paying all outstanding fines and late fees. Call 311 to confirm the total amount and then pay through nycparkingtickets.org or by mail.

Contesting a ticket instead of paying

You do not have to pay a ticket if you believe it was issued in error. You can request a hearing before a judge at no cost. For parking violations, request a hearing through nycparkingtickets.org or by mail. For moving violations, check the box on the back of your ticket that says you plead not guilty and return it by mail, or visit a TVB office in person.

At a hearing, you can explain why you believe the ticket is wrong. The judge will listen to your side and the officer's or evidence, then decide whether to dismiss the ticket or uphold it. You do not need a lawyer, and the process is informal. If the judge dismisses the ticket, you owe nothing. If the judge upholds it, you must pay the fine.

Requesting a hearing does not stop the clock on your 30-day important date — you must submit your request within 30 days of the ticket date. If you request a hearing, you do not pay the fine upfront; you pay only if the judge rules against you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a traffic ticket online if I got it from a police officer?

No. Tickets issued by police officers (moving violations) must be handled through the Traffic Violations Bureau by mail or in person. Only parking violations and camera-issued tickets can be paid online through nycparkingtickets.org.

What if I lost my ticket?

Call 311 and provide your license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN). The operator will look up the ticket and tell you the violation, fine amount, and important date. You can then pay over the phone or online if it's a parking violation.

Do I have to pay the ticket if I was not the one driving?

For parking violations, the ticket is issued to the vehicle owner, not the driver, so the owner is responsible for paying. For moving violations, the ticket is issued to the driver, but the owner may be held liable if the driver is not identified. Contact the TVB to discuss your situation.

What if I pay the ticket but still want to contest it?

Once you pay a parking violation, you generally cannot contest it. For moving violations, if you pay before your hearing date, you forfeit your right to a hearing. If you want to contest, request a hearing first; you only pay if the judge rules against you.

How long does it take to process a payment?

Online payments are processed when ready and you receive a confirmation number right away. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days. Phone payments are processed the same day. Your ticket is considered paid once the Department of Finance receives and records the payment.