How to Pay a Los Angeles Parking Ticket
Where to pay your Los Angeles parking citation
You can pay a Los Angeles parking citation online through the Department of Transportation's website, by mail, in person at a payment location, or by phone. The fastest route is online at ladot.lacity.gov/citations — you'll need your citation number (the ticket itself) and the license plate number. Payment goes through immediately, and you get a confirmation number on screen.
If you don't have internet access or prefer to pay in person, the city operates payment locations throughout Los Angeles. You can find the nearest one by calling 311 or visiting the LADOT website. Payment by mail takes longer — allow at least two weeks for processing — so use this method only if you're paying well before any deadline.
Phone payment is also available through an automated system. Call the number on your citation to pay by credit or debit card. This method works 24 hours a day but charges a convenience fee on top of the fine amount.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment at ladot.lacity.gov/citations is the fastest option and confirms immediately with no extra fees.
- You need your citation number and license plate number to pay online or by phone.
- Payment by mail takes at least two weeks, so don't use this method if your deadline is soon.
- Late payment adds penalties and can result in a hold on your vehicle registration or a collections referral.
- If you believe the citation was issued in error, you can contest it before paying, but you must act within the deadline on your ticket.
How much you owe and what the deadline is
The fine amount and payment deadline are printed on your citation. Base fines for parking violations in Los Angeles range depending on the violation type — for example, parking in a red zone costs less than parking in a disabled space without a permit. The ticket itself shows the exact amount you owe.
The deadline to pay is usually 21 days from the date the citation was issued. If you pay after that date, late penalties are added automatically. The city does not send reminder notices, so mark the deadline on your calendar or set a phone alert when you receive the ticket.
If you lose the ticket or don't remember your citation number, you can look it up on the LADOT website by entering your license plate number and vehicle information. This also shows your current balance and any late fees that have been added.
What happens if you don't pay on time
Late payment penalties begin accruing after the 21-day deadline passes. The amount of the penalty varies but is added to your original fine. If you continue not to pay, the city can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal — you won't be able to renew your tags until the citation is paid in full.
After several months of non-payment, the city may refer your account to a collections agency. This can damage your credit score and result in wage garnishment or bank account levies. The longer you wait, the more you owe in total.
If your vehicle is towed or booted (a wheel lock placed on the car), you cannot move it until the citation is paid and any towing or booting fees are settled. These fees are separate from the citation fine and add up quickly.
Contesting a citation instead of paying
If you believe the citation was issued incorrectly, you can contest it through the Department of Transportation's citation review process. You must request a review within 21 days of the citation date — the same deadline as payment. You cannot contest and pay later; you must choose one path within that window.
To contest, submit a written request to the address listed on your citation, or file online through the LADOT website. Include your citation number, a clear explanation of why you believe the citation was wrong, and any supporting evidence — photos, witness statements, or proof that signage was missing or unclear, for example.
A hearing officer will review your request and either uphold the citation, dismiss it, or reduce the fine. You'll receive a decision by mail. If the citation is upheld and you disagree with the decision, you can request an administrative hearing before a judge, though this requires filing additional paperwork and may involve appearing in person.
Payment plans and hardship options
The city does not automatically offer payment plans for parking citations. However, if you cannot pay the full amount by the deadline, contact the Department of Transportation at 311 to ask about your options. In some cases, the city may allow you to pay in installments or may reduce the fine if you demonstrate financial hardship.
These arrangements are not may provide and depend on the specific circumstances of your case. The sooner you contact the city after receiving the citation, the more options may be available to you. Waiting until after the deadline passes makes negotiation much harder.
If you have received multiple citations and owe a large total amount, calling 311 to discuss your situation is still worth doing. The city's goal is to collect the money owed, and they may be willing to work with you on timing if you show good faith by contacting them.
How online payment works step by step
Go to ladot.lacity.gov/citations and click the payment option. Enter your citation number (found on the ticket) and your license plate number. The system will pull up your citation details, including the fine amount and any late fees if applicable.
Review the amount owed to make sure it's correct. Then enter your payment method — credit card, debit card, or electronic check. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. No convenience fee is charged for online payment.
After you submit payment, you'll receive a confirmation number on screen. Write this down or take a screenshot. The payment posts immediately, and your citation is marked as paid. You can also print a receipt from the website for your records.
What to do if you've already paid but still see a balance
Processing delays can cause confusion. If you paid online or by phone, your payment should show as received within one business day. If you paid by mail, allow at least two weeks for the city to process and post the payment to your account.
Check your payment status on the LADOT website by entering your license plate number. If the website still shows a balance after the expected processing time, call 311 with your confirmation number and citation number. The city can verify that your payment was received and correct any posting errors.
Keep your confirmation number and any receipts or bank statements showing the payment for at least one year. If a collections agency contacts you about a citation you've already paid, you'll have proof to show them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay someone else's parking ticket?
Yes. You can pay online using their citation number and license plate, or you can pay in person at a city payment location on their behalf. You don't need to be the vehicle owner or the person cited to make the payment.
What if I paid the ticket but got a notice from a collections agency?
Contact the collections agency with your proof of payment — your confirmation number, receipt, or bank statement. Also call 311 to report that your payment was posted but the agency is still pursuing collection. The city can send a letter to the agency confirming the debt is satisfied.
Do I have to pay if the parking sign was unclear or missing?
No, but you have to contest the citation within 21 days to avoid paying. Submit a written request with photos or evidence that the sign was missing or illegible. A hearing officer will review your evidence and decide whether to dismiss the citation.
Can I get a refund if I paid too much?
If you overpaid, contact the Department of Transportation at 311 with your citation number and proof of payment. The city will issue a refund, though processing may take several weeks. Do not assume an overpayment will be automatically credited to future citations.
What happens if I ignore the citation completely?
Late fees accumulate, your vehicle registration renewal will be blocked, and the debt may be sent to collections. This can affect your credit score and lead to wage garnishment. The longer you wait, the more you owe in total penalties and fees.