How to pay an SFMTA citation

You can pay a San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) citation online, by mail, by phone, or in person at the SFMTA Payment Center. The fastest method is online at sfmta.com/citations, where you can pay with a credit or debit card using your citation number and license plate. By phone, call 311 (or 415-701-2311 from outside San Francisco) and have your citation number ready. Payment by mail goes to the address printed on the back of your citation. In person, the SFMTA Payment Center is located at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, and accepts cash, check, or card.

The amount due and the important date for payment are both printed on your citation. If you pay before the important date, you avoid additional penalties. If you miss the important date, the SFMTA may report the unpaid citation to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which can affect your driving record and vehicle registration renewal.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay online at sfmta.com/citations using your citation number and license plate, which is the fastest option.
  • Payment by phone (311 or 415-701-2311), mail, or in person at 1 South Van Ness Avenue are also available.
  • The due date is printed on your citation; paying late triggers additional penalties and a report to the DMV.
  • An unpaid citation can delay your vehicle registration renewal and affect your driving record.

What information you need to pay online

To pay your SFMTA citation online, you will need your citation number and your license plate number. Both appear on the citation itself. The citation number is a unique identifier that the SFMTA system uses to pull up your case. If you have lost the physical citation, you can still look up the citation number by calling 311 and providing your license plate number and the approximate date you received the citation.

Once you enter this information on the SFMTA website, the system will display the violation, the fine amount, and the due date. Review these details to make sure they match your citation before you submit payment. If any information is incorrect, do not pay online; instead, call 311 to clarify the citation before proceeding.

Payment methods and where to send payment by mail

The SFMTA accepts credit cards, debit cards, cash, and checks. Online and phone payments take credit or debit cards only. In-person payments at the Payment Center accept all four methods. If you pay by mail, write your citation number on the check or money order and send it to the address printed on the back of your citation. Mail payments take longer to process than online or in-person payments, so allow extra time if your important date is approaching.

Do not send cash by mail. If you choose to mail a check, keep a copy of the check or a record of the amount and date you mailed it. The SFMTA processes mail payments within two to three weeks, so if your important date is fewer than three weeks away, consider paying online or by phone instead.

What happens if you do not pay by the important date

If you do not pay by the due date on your citation, the SFMTA will add a late penalty to your balance. The amount of the late penalty varies depending on how long the citation remains unpaid. After a certain period of non-payment, the SFMTA reports the unpaid citation to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. This report can prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration until the citation is paid.

An unpaid citation also appears on your driving record, which can affect your insurance rates and your ability to obtain certain licenses or permits. If you cannot pay the full amount by the important date, contact the SFMTA at 311 to discuss payment plans or other options before the important date passes.

Payment plans and reduced fines

If you cannot pay the full fine by the important date, the SFMTA offers payment plans. To set up a payment plan, call 311 and explain your situation. The SFMTA will work with you to arrange installment payments that fit your budget. Setting up a payment plan before the important date helps you avoid late penalties and a report to the DMV.

Some citations may also be reduced if you meet certain conditions. For example, if you complete a traffic safety course, the SFMTA may reduce the fine amount. Call 311 to ask whether your citation is may be able to access for a reduction and what steps you need to take. You must request a reduction before you pay the full fine.

Contesting a citation if you believe it is incorrect

If you believe the citation was issued in error or you have a valid defense, you can contest it instead of paying. To contest a citation, you must submit a written response to the SFMTA within 21 days of receiving the citation. Include your citation number, your explanation, and any supporting documents (photos, witness statements, or evidence). Mail your response to the address on the back of your citation or submit it online through the SFMTA website.

After you submit your response, the SFMTA will review your case. If the SFMTA denies your contest, you will receive a notice and a new important date to pay. If you disagree with the SFMTA's decision, you have the right to request a hearing before a hearing officer. The hearing request must be made within 10 days of receiving the denial notice. Do not pay the citation if you are contesting it, as payment is considered an admission of the violation.

How unpaid citations affect your vehicle registration

An unpaid SFMTA citation will prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. When you attempt to renew online or at a DMV office, the system will flag your vehicle and deny the renewal until the citation is paid. This means you cannot legally drive the vehicle or obtain new registration tags.

To clear this block, you must pay the citation in full to the SFMTA. Once payment is processed, the SFMTA sends a clearance notice to the DMV, which usually takes one to two weeks. After the DMV receives the clearance, you can proceed with your registration renewal. If your registration has already expired because of an unpaid citation, you will need to pay the citation first, then renew your registration and pay any late renewal fees the DMV charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay an SFMTA citation with a credit card by mail?

No. Mail payments must be made by check or money order. Credit and debit cards are accepted online at sfmta.com/citations, by phone at 311, or in person at the SFMTA Payment Center. If you prefer to use a card, one of these three methods is required.

What if I lost my citation and do not have the citation number?

Call 311 and provide your license plate number and the approximate date you received the citation. The SFMTA will look up your citation number in their system. Once you have the number, you can pay online or by phone.

Will paying a citation affect my driving record or insurance?

Paying the citation does not add points to your driving record in most cases. However, if you do not pay and the citation is reported to the DMV, it will appear on your record and may affect your insurance rates. Paying on time prevents this from happening.

Can I set up a payment plan if I cannot afford the full fine?

Yes. Call 311 before the important date and explain your situation. The SFMTA will work with you to arrange installment payments. Setting up a plan before the important date prevents late penalties and a report to the DMV.

How long does it take for an unpaid citation to block my registration renewal?

The SFMTA reports unpaid citations to the DMV after a certain period of non-payment. Once reported, the DMV will block your registration renewal when ready. The exact timing depends on how long the citation remains unpaid, so it is best to pay or set up a payment plan as soon as possible.