Where to pay your SFMTA ticket and what payment methods work

You can pay an SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) ticket online, by mail, in person, or by phone. The fastest route is the SFMTA website at sfmta.com — you'll need your citation number, which appears on the ticket itself. Online payment takes minutes and you get when ready confirmation.

If you prefer not to use the website, you can mail a check or money order to the address printed on your ticket, call the SFMTA at 311 (or 415-701-2311 from outside San Francisco), or visit an SFMTA payment location in person. Payment locations are listed on your ticket and on the SFMTA website. Credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks are accepted online and by phone, but mail payments must be check or money order.

The amount due is printed on your ticket. If you pay within 30 days of the citation date, you may be able to reduce the fine — check your ticket for the reduced amount and important date. After 30 days, the full amount is due.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through sfmta.com is the fastest method and requires only your citation number from the ticket.
  • You can also pay by phone at 311 or 415-701-2311, by mail with check or money order, or in person at SFMTA payment locations.
  • Paying within 30 days of the citation date may allow you to pay a reduced fine instead of the full amount.
  • Late payment penalties and collection actions begin if you do not pay within the important date on your ticket.

What happens if you miss the payment important date

If you do not pay by the important date shown on your ticket, the SFMTA will add a late penalty to your balance. The amount of the penalty varies depending on how long the ticket remains unpaid. Your debt can also be referred to a collection agency, and the SFMTA may place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal or report the debt to credit bureaus.

If your vehicle registration is held due to an unpaid ticket, you will not be able to renew it until the ticket is paid. This applies even if your registration would otherwise be due for renewal. The hold remains in place until the SFMTA receives full payment.

Contesting a ticket instead of paying

If you believe the ticket was issued in error or you have a valid reason to contest it, you can request a hearing instead of paying. Your ticket will show a important date to request a hearing — this is usually separate from the payment important date. You must request the hearing in writing by the date shown on your ticket.

To request a hearing, mail the form on the back of your ticket to the address provided, or submit it online through the SFMTA website. Include a brief explanation of why you are contesting the ticket. The SFMTA will schedule a hearing date and notify you by mail. If you do not show up for the hearing or do not request one by the important date, the ticket becomes final and you will owe the full amount plus any late penalties that have accrued.

Payment plans if you cannot pay the full amount at once

The SFMTA does not automatically offer payment plans, but you can contact them to discuss your situation. Call 311 or 415-701-2311 and explain that you need time to pay. The SFMTA may work with you on a schedule, though this is not may provide and depends on the circumstances.

If you do not arrange a plan and do not pay, late penalties will continue to add up and your registration hold will remain in place. It is better to contact the SFMTA before the important date than to wait until collection action begins.

Tickets issued to a rental car or company vehicle

If you were driving a rental car when you received the ticket, the rental company may receive the citation instead of you. Check your rental agreement — most rental companies will pass the ticket cost to you as a charge on your credit card or final bill. Some rental companies charge an additional processing fee on top of the ticket amount.

If you received the ticket in a company vehicle, your employer may be responsible for paying it, depending on your company's policy. Check with your HR or fleet management department. If the ticket was issued to the vehicle owner and you are the driver, you may still be liable depending on California law and the specific circumstances.

How to find your citation number if you lost the ticket

If you no longer have your physical ticket, you can look up your citation online using the SFMTA website. You will need your license plate number and the date the ticket was issued. The website will show you the citation number, the violation, the amount due, and the payment important date.

You can also call 311 or 415-701-2311 and provide your license plate number and the approximate date of the ticket. The SFMTA can look up the citation for you and tell you the amount due and important date. Once you have the citation number, you can pay online or by phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a parking ticket online without a citation number?

No, you need the citation number to pay online. If you have lost your ticket, use the SFMTA website to look it up with your license plate number and the date the ticket was issued. Once you have the citation number, you can proceed with online payment.

What if I paid the ticket but still see a balance on my account?

Check your payment confirmation to confirm the payment was processed. If you paid by mail, allow 7 to 10 business days for the SFMTA to receive and record it. If you paid online or by phone, the balance should clear within 24 hours. If it does not, call 311 to verify the payment was received.

Will paying a parking ticket affect my driving record or insurance?

Parking tickets do not appear on your driving record and do not affect your car insurance rates. They are civil violations, not moving violations. However, unpaid tickets can result in registration holds and collection action, which may affect your ability to renew your registration.

Can I pay someone else's SFMTA ticket?

Yes, you can pay another person's ticket if you have their citation number. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail. The ticket will be marked as paid regardless of who submits the payment. No authorization from the ticket holder is required to pay.