How to Pay a Baltimore City Parking or Traffic Ticket

Where to pay your Baltimore City ticket

You can pay a Baltimore City parking or traffic ticket online through the Department of Transportation's ticket payment portal, by mail, or in person at the Parking Violations Bureau. The online portal is the fastest route — you enter your ticket number and pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Payment posts immediately, and you receive a confirmation number on screen.

If you prefer to mail a check or money order, send it to the address printed on the back of your ticket along with a copy of the ticket itself. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to process. In-person payments at the Parking Violations Bureau (located at 417 East Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202) are accepted during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Do not ignore a ticket or assume it will go away. Unpaid tickets accrue penalties, can result in a suspended vehicle registration, and may prevent you from renewing your driver's license or tags. The city can also place a lien on your vehicle or refer the debt to a collection agency.

Key Takeaways

• Online payment through the Department of Transportation portal is the fastest method and confirms your payment immediately with a ticket number.
• You need your ticket number to pay online, by mail, or in person — it appears on the front of the ticket you received.
• Unpaid tickets add penalties and can lead to a suspended registration, so paying within the deadline on your ticket is important.
• If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can request a hearing before paying, though this delays resolution.

Understanding the ticket deadline and penalties

The deadline to pay or contest your ticket is printed on the back of the ticket itself — typically 30 days from the date of issue. If you pay after that date, a penalty is added to the original fine amount. The penalty varies depending on how late the payment is and the type of violation.

If you do not pay or respond by the deadline, the city sends a notice of violation to the address on your vehicle registration. If you still do not respond, the ticket enters the collection process. At that point, the city may suspend your vehicle registration, report the debt to credit agencies, or refer it to a collection agency that can pursue you for the original fine plus collection costs.

How to request a hearing if you dispute the ticket

If you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly, you can request a hearing before paying. You must submit your request in writing to the Parking Violations Bureau within the deadline on your ticket. Include your ticket number, a brief explanation of why you dispute the ticket, and any supporting documents (photographs, witness statements, or proof of payment if you believe you paid for parking).

Mail your request to the address on the back of your ticket or submit it online through the Department of Transportation website. A hearing officer will review your case and mail you a decision. If the hearing officer upholds the ticket, you will be given a new deadline to pay. If the ticket is dismissed, no payment is due.

Requesting a hearing does not stop penalties from accruing if the ticket is upheld, so submit your request as soon as possible. The hearing process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks.

What happens if your vehicle registration is suspended

When a ticket remains unpaid long enough, the city notifies the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to suspend your vehicle registration. You cannot legally drive the vehicle, and driving with a suspended registration can result in additional fines or criminal charges. You also cannot renew your registration or driver's license until the ticket is paid.

To lift the suspension, you must pay the original ticket amount plus any accrued penalties. Once payment is processed, contact the MVA to request reinstatement of your registration. The MVA typically lifts the suspension within 5 to 7 business days of receiving proof of payment from the city.

Payment plans and hardship options

If you cannot pay the full ticket amount at once, contact the Parking Violations Bureau to ask about a payment plan. The city does not automatically offer payment plans, but staff can discuss options based on your situation. Payment plans typically require a down payment followed by monthly installments, though terms vary.

There is no formal hardship waiver program for parking or traffic tickets in Baltimore City. However, if you are experiencing financial hardship, explain your situation when you contact the bureau — some cases are reviewed on an individual basis. You can reach the Parking Violations Bureau by phone at 410-396-5220 or visit in person at the address listed above.

Paying a ticket issued by Maryland State Police or outside Baltimore City

If your ticket was issued by Maryland State Police or in a county outside Baltimore City, the payment process is different. Tickets issued outside Baltimore City go to that jurisdiction's traffic court or violations bureau, not to Baltimore's Department of Transportation. Check the ticket itself to see which agency issued it and where payment should be sent.

For Maryland State Police tickets, you can pay online through the Maryland District Court Case Search system or by mail to the district court listed on your ticket. Contact information for other Maryland counties' traffic violations bureaus is available through the Maryland Judiciary website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a Baltimore City ticket online without my ticket number?

No, you need your ticket number to pay online. If you have lost your ticket, contact the Parking Violations Bureau at 410-396-5220 with your vehicle license plate number and the approximate date of the violation. They can look up the ticket and provide the number.

What payment methods does the online portal accept?

The online portal accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. There is typically a small processing fee for credit and debit card payments. Paying by check through the mail has no processing fee.

If I pay online, how do I know the payment went through?

The online portal displays a confirmation number immediately after payment is processed. Write down or screenshot this number for your records. You can also check the status of your ticket on the portal by entering your ticket number a few days after payment.

Can I pay someone else's ticket?

Yes, you can pay another person's ticket online or by mail if you have their ticket number. In person, you may need to bring a signed authorization from the ticket holder, depending on the Parking Violations Bureau's policy at the time of payment.

What if I paid the ticket but still received a suspension notice?

If you paid online or by mail, there is a processing delay before the city notifies the MVA that the ticket is paid. Contact the Parking Violations Bureau with your payment confirmation number to verify the payment was received. If the payment was processed, the bureau can request that the MVA reinstate your registration immediately.