Where to pay your San Francisco parking or traffic ticket

You can pay an SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) ticket online through the official SFMTA website, by mail, in person at an SFMTA payment location, or by phone. The fastest route is the online payment portal at sfmta.com, where you enter your citation number and pay by credit card or debit card. If you do not have internet access, you can call the SFMTA at 311 (or 415-701-2311 from outside San Francisco) to pay by phone, or mail a check to the address printed on your citation.

The SFMTA processes payments when ready when you pay online or by phone. Mailed payments take longer — typically 7 to 10 business days to reach the office and be recorded. If you are close to a important date (such as a court date or a notice of increased penalty), paying online or by phone is safer because you get a confirmation number right away.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through sfmta.com is the fastest method and gives you a confirmation number when ready.
  • You will need your citation number, which appears on the ticket itself, to pay online or by phone.
  • Mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to process, so do not use this method if you have a court important date coming up.
  • Paying the ticket does not remove the violation from your record, but it stops additional penalties and collection action.

What information you need to pay online

Your citation number is the main piece of information you need. This is a unique number printed on the front of your ticket, usually near the top. You will also need the license plate number of the vehicle that received the ticket. The online payment portal asks for both of these to pull up your citation.

If you have lost the physical ticket, you can still find your citation number by calling 311 or visiting an SFMTA office in person. Have your license plate number and the approximate date you received the ticket ready when you call, as this helps the staff locate your record quickly.

Payment methods and what each costs

The SFMTA accepts credit cards, debit cards, checks, and cash. Online and phone payments use credit or debit cards only. There is no fee added to your payment when you use the online portal or call 311 — you pay only the amount shown on your ticket. Mailed checks should be made out to "SFMTA" and sent to the address on your citation.

In-person payments at SFMTA offices accept cash, check, or card, and there is no additional fee. Some SFMTA payment locations also accept money orders. If you are unsure whether a specific payment method is available at a particular location, call 311 before you go.

Paying before a court date or important date

If you have received a notice of increased penalty or a court date, paying the ticket does not cancel the court appearance — you will still need to show up or respond to the court notice. Paying the ticket tells the SFMTA you are not contesting it, but the court process is separate. Contact the court listed on your notice to ask whether paying the ticket affects your court date.

If you plan to contest the ticket in traffic court, do not pay it. Paying is treated as an admission, and you lose the right to argue your case. Instead, follow the instructions on your citation to request a hearing or trial.

What happens after you pay

Once your payment is processed, the SFMTA sends you a receipt. If you paid online or by phone, you receive a confirmation number when ready and can print or save the confirmation as proof of payment. If you mailed a check, keep a copy of the check and the envelope you sent it in until you receive written confirmation from the SFMTA.

Paying the ticket closes the citation and stops the SFMTA from taking collection action. However, the violation itself remains on your driving record. If you received the ticket for a moving violation (such as running a red light or speeding), it may affect your insurance rates or your driving record with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

If you cannot pay the full amount right now

The SFMTA offers payment plans for citations over a certain amount. Call 311 to ask about a payment plan — you will need to explain your situation and provide information about your income. The SFMTA reviews payment plan requests on a case-by-case basis and may approve a plan that lets you pay in installments over several months.

If you believe the ticket was issued in error or you have a valid reason the citation should not have been issued, you can request a hearing instead of paying. This is different from a payment plan — you are asking the SFMTA to review whether the ticket was correct. Request a hearing by following the instructions on your citation, usually within 30 days of receiving it.

Common mistakes when paying SFMTA tickets

The most common mistake is waiting until the last day before a important date to mail a payment. Mail takes time, and if your payment arrives after the important date, the SFMTA may add a penalty or refer the ticket to collections. Online or phone payment is always safer when you are close to a important date.

Another mistake is paying a ticket you plan to contest. Once you pay, you cannot get your money back and request a hearing — the payment is treated as a final admission. If you are unsure whether you want to pay or contest, call 311 and ask about your options before you send any money.

Some people also confuse paying the SFMTA ticket with paying a parking meter or citation issued by another agency (such as a private parking company). Make sure the citation is from the SFMTA — the agency name appears on the ticket. If it is from a private company, the payment process is different and you should contact that company directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay an SFMTA ticket at a parking meter or kiosk?

No. Parking meters and kiosks are for paying parking fees, not for paying citations. You must use the methods listed on your ticket: online at sfmta.com, by phone at 311, by mail, or in person at an SFMTA office.

What if I pay online but do not receive a confirmation number?

Check your email (including spam folders) for a receipt from the SFMTA. If you do not see one within a few minutes, call 311 to confirm the payment went through. Have your citation number ready. Do not pay again until you confirm the first payment did not process.

Does paying the ticket remove it from my driving record?

No. Paying the ticket closes the citation with the SFMTA, but the violation stays on your driving record with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Moving violations may affect your insurance rates for three to five years, depending on your insurance company.

Can I get a refund if I pay the ticket by mistake?

Refunds are not automatic. Contact the SFMTA at 311 and explain the situation. They will review your request, but refunds are granted only in specific circumstances, such as if the ticket was issued in error or you have already paid it once.

What if the ticket is from a private parking company, not the SFMTA?

Private parking citations are not handled by the SFMTA. Look at the ticket to find the company name and contact information, then follow their payment instructions. Private parking companies have their own payment systems and do not use the SFMTA portal.