How to Pay a New York City Traffic Ticket
Where to send your payment and what happens if you don't
New York City traffic tickets go to the Department of Finance, not to the police department or the precinct where you got the ticket. You can pay online through the city's website, by mail, or in person at a payment location in Manhattan. If you ignore the ticket, the city will add penalties, suspend your driver's license, and eventually refer the debt to a collection agency — and you cannot renew your vehicle registration until it is resolved.
The ticket itself tells you the violation code, the fine amount, and a case number. That case number is what you need to pay online. If you lost the ticket, you can search for open violations using your license plate or driver's license number on the Department of Finance website.
Key Takeaways
- Pay through the Department of Finance website using your case number, or by mail to the address printed on your ticket — do not send payment to the police.
- The fine amount is set by the violation code and does not change; late payment adds a penalty fee on top of the original fine.
- If you want to contest the ticket, you must request a hearing before you pay, or the city will consider it settled.
- Unpaid tickets trigger license suspension, registration holds, and collection referral, making it harder and more expensive to resolve later.
- Payment usually takes effect within one to three business days online, or two to three weeks by mail.
Paying online through the Department of Finance
The fastest way to pay is through the Department of Finance's online portal at a1.nyc.gov/nycpayonline. You will need your case number (printed on the ticket), your license plate number, or your driver's license number. Enter the information, and the system will show you all open violations tied to that vehicle or license.
You can pay by debit card, credit card, or electronic check. The site accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. There is no fee for paying by electronic check, but credit and debit card payments include a processing fee — usually around 2 to 3 percent of the fine amount. The payment posts to your account within one business day, and you will receive a confirmation number immediately.
Paying by mail
The ticket itself has a mailing address on the back. Write your case number on the check or money order, and send it to the address listed. Do not send cash. Mail payment takes two to three weeks to process, so if your ticket is close to the deadline, online payment is safer.
If you are paying multiple tickets, you can send them all in one envelope with one check, but write each case number on the check memo line or include a separate note listing all case numbers. Keep a copy of what you send and the tracking number from your mail receipt in case there is a delay.
Paying in person at a Department of Finance office
The main payment location is at 33 Beaver Street in lower Manhattan, open Monday through Friday. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or card. Bring your ticket or case number. Payment is processed the same day, and you receive a receipt immediately.
Some Department of Finance payment kiosks are also located in other boroughs, though hours and locations change. Check the Department of Finance website or call 311 to confirm the nearest location and current hours before you go.
What happens if you don't pay by the deadline
The deadline to pay or request a hearing is usually 30 days from the ticket date. If you miss that date, the city adds a late penalty — typically 10 percent of the original fine, though this varies by violation type. You can still pay after the deadline, but you will owe both the original fine and the penalty.
After 60 days unpaid, the city suspends your driver's license. You cannot renew your vehicle registration, and if you are stopped by police, the suspension will show up in their system. After 120 days, the debt goes to a collection agency, which can report it to credit bureaus and pursue collection through the courts. At that point, you may owe court costs and collection fees on top of the original fine and penalties.
Contesting a ticket instead of paying
If you believe the ticket was issued in error or the violation did not occur, you can request a hearing before you pay. You must request the hearing before the 30-day deadline. The ticket itself has instructions for requesting a hearing, or you can do it online through the Department of Finance website using your case number.
A hearing officer will review the evidence — usually the officer's notes and your statement. You can appear in person or by phone. If the officer does not show up or the evidence is weak, the ticket may be dismissed. If the hearing officer upholds the ticket, you will be ordered to pay the fine. Requesting a hearing does not stop the clock on the deadline; you must request it within 30 days.
Checking the status of your payment
After you pay online, check your confirmation number and the date the payment posted. If you paid by mail or in person, wait at least three business days before checking the status. You can look up your case on the Department of Finance website using your case number or license plate to see whether the violation is marked as paid or resolved.
If your payment does not show up after five business days, contact the Department of Finance through 311 or the website. Have your confirmation number, case number, and payment date ready. If you paid by mail and the check was lost, the city can issue a duplicate receipt if you provide proof of mailing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay a ticket online if I don't have the case number?
Yes. The Department of Finance website lets you search by license plate number or driver's license number instead. Enter that information and the system will show all open violations tied to that vehicle or license. You can then pay any or all of them.
What if I paid the ticket but it still shows as unpaid?
Online payments usually post within one business day. Mail payments take two to three weeks. If it has been longer than that and the ticket still shows unpaid, contact the Department of Finance with your confirmation number or proof of mailing. They can verify the payment and update your account.
Do I have to pay the full fine, or can I set up a payment plan?
The Department of Finance does not offer payment plans for traffic tickets. You must pay the full fine by the deadline or request a hearing. If you cannot pay by the deadline, contact 311 to ask about hardship options, though these are limited and not may provide.
Will paying the ticket affect my insurance rates?
That depends on your insurance company and the type of violation. Parking violations typically do not affect rates. Moving violations — like speeding or running a red light — may increase your rates if the insurer finds out. Paying the ticket does not erase the violation from your driving record; it only resolves the fine.
What if the ticket was issued to a rental car or a car I no longer own?
If you were the driver, you are responsible for the ticket regardless of who owned the car. If you were not the driver, contact the Department of Finance with proof that you did not own the vehicle at the time of the violation. If you own a rental car company, you can request that the ticket be transferred to the renter through the Department of Finance.