Let’s face it, no one enjoys getting a parking ticket or transit citation. But if you get one in San Francisco, you must pay or contest it by the due date or you’ll face additional fees. This article will explain the easy ways to pay SFMTA parking and transit citations
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) oversees parking enforcement and ticketing in the city They offer flexible options to quickly pay citations online, by mail, over the phone, or in person
Why You Should Pay Promptly
Before we get into the payment options, let’s look at why it’s important to pay your SFMTA citation promptly:
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Avoid late fees – Paying late results in a $75 late penalty on top of the fine. Ouch!
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Prevent holds on vehicle registration – Unpaid tickets can lead to a hold placed on your vehicle registration renewal.
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Fix mistakes quickly – If there was an error, paying promptly allows you to contest the citation faster.
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Maintain clean record – Having unpaid tickets can negatively impact your driving record and credit.
Paying parking and transit citations by the due date keeps additional penalties off your plate. The good news is SFMTA makes it easy to do so.
Pay Online
The fastest and easiest way to pay a parking or transit ticket from SFMTA is online. You can pay anytime day or night:
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Go to sfmta.com/citations
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Enter ticket number and license plate or ID number
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Select payment method
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Complete payment details
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Get emailed receipt
When paying online, you can use credit card, debit card, or electronic check. It takes just a few minutes and you can immediately print or save the receipt.
Pay via Mobile App
SFMTA also offers a mobile app called SFMTA Parking Tickets. You can download it for iPhone or Android.
The app allows you to:
- Pay citations
- Contest citations
- Request hearing
- Extend meter time
- And more
It’s super quick and easy to pay a ticket right from your phone. Just enter payment details and go!
Pay Over the Phone
If you prefer talking to a real human, you can pay SFMTA parking and transit citations by phone:
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Call 1-866-701-7200
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Follow prompts to pay citation by credit/debit card
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Small fee applies to phone payments
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Receive payment confirmation code
Calling in your payment is fast and convenient. Just have your citation number and payment info handy.
Pay by Mail
To pay by physical mail, follow these steps:
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Fill out payment slip from your citation
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Write citation number on check or money order
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Make payable to “SFMTA”
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Include payment slip and mail to:
SFMTA
P.O. Box 7027
San Francisco, CA 94120 -
Allow 5-7 days processing time
Paying by mail takes longer but is reliable. Just don’t forget postage!
In-Person Payments
You can also pay parking and transit citations in person at the SFMTA customer service center:
SFMTA Customer Service Center
11 South Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94103
The center accepts cash, credit/debit cards, money order, and check. It’s open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Payment Plans
If you need help paying off multiple citations, SFMTA offers payment plans. You pay a setup fee but can spread out payments over 3-6 months.
To enroll, call 415-701-3000 or visit the SFMTA customer center. Payment plans provide flexibility if you can’t pay in full upfront.
Fight Unfair Tickets
If you believe your citation was issued unfairly or in error, you can contest it instead of paying. Just be sure to contest by the due date to avoid late fees.
You can submit a contest form online or by mail. Include evidence like photos and documentation. Don’t pay a ticket you are contesting!
Avoid Tickets in the First Place
The best way to handle parking citations is to avoid getting them altogether. Here are some tips:
- Read signs carefully
- Put enough money in meters
- Move car for street cleaning
- Avoid expired tags or inspection
- Drop off passengers quickly
A little planning goes a long way toward ticket prevention. But if you do get one, now you know the quick, easy options for taking care of it. Just be sure to pay or contest any SFMTA citation by the due date.
$89 SFMTA Parking Ticket Paid in 7500 Pennies and 56 Quarters
FAQ
What happens if you don’t pay SFMTA parking ticket?
Citations that aren’t paid are sent to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which can stop drivers from renewing their licenses. Locals are also barred from buying a residential parking permit until they pay off parking tickets.
How to get out of SFMTA parking ticket?
How to fight a San Francisco parking ticket. Once you receive a parking ticket in San Francisco, you have three weeks to dispute it. The first step is to ask for an administrative review by the SFMTA. Drivers who have been ticketed can send any photos, receipts, or other proof they have to support their claim online or by mail.
How do I pay a parking ticket online in California?
Parking Citations issued by the California Department of Parks and Recreation are managed through the Citation Processing Center. Citation payment or contestation is handled at www. citationprocessingcenter. com.
