The Department of Finance writes millions of parking tickets a year in this city. Whether you found one tucked under your wiper or got a Notice of Liability in the mail, here's how to pay, dispute, check status by plate, and hit the deadlines that actually matter. Fine amounts below were checked against the DOF's official violation code table in August 2026 — always confirm your exact code there before paying, since fines can change.
Pay your NYC parking ticket
Online at nyc.gov/payonline is the fastest route — you just need your 10-digit ticket number or your plate and state. You can pay with a credit or debit card, electronic check (ACH), or through the official NYC Pay or Dispute app on iOS and Android. Mail works too — write the ticket number, plate number and state on your check or money order and send it to NYC Department of Finance, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 3640, New York, NY 10008-3640 — and so does walking into any Department of Finance Business Center in the five boroughs. If you can't pay in full, the Department of Finance runs payment plans. Eligibility depends on how much you owe and whether the tickets are already in judgment, and the thresholds have changed more than once — check the current terms on that page rather than trusting any figure you read elsewhere, including here. What is stable and worth knowing: once your judgment debt across all tickets reaches $350, the vehicle becomes eligible to be booted or towed.
NYC parking ticket fines — full schedule
Fines below reflect the DOF violation-code table as checked in August 2026. Amounts change by city rule, so confirm the current figure for your exact violation code on the official DOF violation codes and fines page before you pay or dispute.
- Expired meter: $35 (outside Manhattan) / $65 (Manhattan)
- Street cleaning / alternate side (No Parking): $65
- Double parking: $115
- Fire hydrant: $115
- Bus stop: $115
- No standing zone: $95–$115, depending on the specific no-standing code
- Bike lane: $115
- Crosswalk: $115
- Sidewalk: $115
- Blocking driveway: $95
- Expired registration / inspection sticker: $65
- Commercial vehicle in residential zone: $65
Deadlines that matter
You've got 30 days from the issue date to pay or dispute before late penalties start. Miss that and penalties stack on a fixed schedule: $10 at 30 days, another $20 on top of that at 60 days, and another $30 at 90 days. If it's still unresolved around 100 days after issue, the ticket enters default judgment — the city adds interest to what you owe and can send the debt to a collection agency. Once your judgment debt across all your tickets hits $350, the vehicle becomes eligible to be booted, and it can be towed within two business days of that if the debt still isn't paid. The exact penalty and interest terms currently in effect are on DOF's Tickets in Judgment page.
How to dispute a NYC parking ticket
Plead not guilty within 30 days to avoid late penalties. The Department of Finance's own guidance recommends disputing entirely online or by mail — you don't need to appear in person, and DOF says showing up in person doesn't improve your odds. The NYC Pay or Dispute app covers it too, and you can still schedule an in-person hearing at a Business Center if you prefer. What actually helps: dated, time-stamped photos of a missing, broken or blocked sign; receipts or other proof the car was somewhere else; confirmation a meter was reported broken; or a photo showing the plate on the ticket isn't yours. If the hearing examiner dismisses the ticket you owe nothing; if not, you pay the fine plus whatever penalties had already accrued.
Look up a NYC parking ticket by plate
Use the official parking and camera ticket lookup and enter your plate and state — every open ticket tied to that car shows up, with what's owed, hearing status and due dates. 311 and the NYC Pay or Dispute app can pull the same info.
Avoid parking tickets near NYC parks
Most NYC parks don't have on-street parking right next to them, so take the subway if you can. Driving to Central Park, Prospect Park or the Brooklyn Bridge Park area means garage rates that swing widely by block, by hour and by season — there is no honest single figure to quote. Booking ahead through SpotHero, BestParking or Icon Parking is reliably cheaper than driving up to the gate. Stay out of no-standing zones, bus stops, and anywhere within 15 feet of a fire hydrant — those are $115 tickets and a real tow risk. Read the whole sign, not just the top line, though the top sign does win when two conflict, and "Authorized Vehicles Only" signs near park entrances get enforced hard.
Frequently asked
How do I pay a NYC parking ticket online?
Head to nyc.gov/payonline and use either your ticket number or license plate. The NYC Pay or Dispute app works too.
How much is a NYC parking ticket?
Most run $35 to $115 depending on the violation. Fire-hydrant and double-parking tickets are $115 citywide, and an expired meter runs $35 outside Manhattan or $65 in Manhattan. Always confirm the current amount on the DOF violation code table at nyc.gov/finance before you pay.
How long do I have to pay a NYC parking ticket?
30 days from the issue date. After that, penalties stack: $10 at 30 days, another $20 at 60 days, another $30 at 90 days. Around 100 days it goes into default judgment and heads toward collections.
How do I dispute a NYC parking ticket?
Plead not guilty within 30 days using the official NYC parking and camera ticket portal — you can do the whole hearing online or by mail, no need to appear in person. The NYC Pay or Dispute app works too, and an in-person hearing is still available if you'd rather. Bring photos and whatever evidence backs your case.
Can I get a NYC parking ticket dismissed?
Yes, and a few defenses tend to work: a missing or blocked sign (dated photos help), wrong plate or vehicle description on the ticket, a broken meter you'd already reported, the sweep finishing before the posted window, or a no-standing zone with no sign actually posted.
What happens if I don't pay a NYC parking ticket?
Penalties stack on a fixed schedule: $10 at 30 days, $20 more at 60 days, $30 more at 90 days. Around 100 days the ticket goes into default judgment, interest starts accruing on the balance, and the debt can go to a collection agency. Once your judgment debt across all tickets hits $350, the vehicle becomes eligible to be booted or towed.
Does a NYC parking ticket go on my driving record?
No. Parking violations in NYC don't add points to your license and don't get reported to your insurer. That's different from moving violations or red-light camera tickets, which can raise your rates.
How do I check NYC parking tickets by plate number?
Use the official NYC parking and camera ticket portal and enter your plate and state. Every open ticket on that vehicle shows up — you can view, pay or dispute without ever needing the ticket number.
Can a NYC parking ticket be reduced?
Sometimes. If a hearing examiner finds you guilty but your record is clean, they have room to lower the fine. Pleading guilty with an explanation usually doesn't cut the amount, though it can spare you the late penalty.