You opened your mailbox, and there it is: the orange envelope from the NYC Department of Finance. You have been hit with a $50 Notice of Liability for speeding in a school zone.

Your first instinct is probably to panic or get angry. But before you pay it, you need to know your options.

Unlike a ticket from a police officer, you do not need to go to criminal court. You can handle everything—paying or fighting—from your phone. Here is the step-by-step guide to clearing your plate in 2026.

Option 1: How to Pay Online (Fastest)

If you know you were speeding and just want to be done with it, paying online prevents late fees. Do not wait more than 30 days, or a $25 late penalty will be added.

  1. Go to the Official Portal: Visit [CityPay]
  2. Find Your Ticket: Enter your 10-digit Violation Number (found on the top of your letter) OR your License Plate Number.
  3. Pay: You can pay with a credit card (2% fee) or an eCheck (Free).
  • Tip: Take a screenshot of the confirmation page. The system sometimes takes 2-4 days to update.

Option 2: How to Dispute (Fight the Ticket)

If you believe the ticket is an error, do not pay it. Payment is an admission of guilt.

You can dispute the ticket entirely online without ever going to a hearing in person.

The “Secret” Weapon: The Official App NYC has a dedicated app called “NYC Parking Ticket Pay or Dispute” (available on iOS and Android). This is often faster than the website.

  1. Download the app.
  2. Scan the barcode on your Notice of Liability.
  3. Select “Dispute.”
  4. Upload your evidence (photos, bill of sale, etc.) directly from your phone camera.

How to View the Evidence Against You Before you fight, look at what they have. Go to the [NYC Serv Violation Lookup] and enter your Violation Number and the PIN listed on your ticket. You can view the actual video footage of your car. If the video clearly shows you speeding, your chances of winning are low.

NYC DOF Ticket Dispute Screen

The Only 3 Defenses That Work

Administrative judges in NYC are strict. They do not care if you were “flowing with traffic” or “running late.” Here are the only defenses that typically work:

  1. “It Wasn’t My Car” (Plate Misread): Sometimes the camera misreads a “Q” as an “O”. If the photo clearly shows a different car model (e.g., you drive a Honda, but the photo is a Ford), you will win.
  2. “I Sold the Car”: If you sold the vehicle before the date of the ticket, upload your Bill of Sale or plate surrender receipt.
  3. “The Car Was Stolen”: You must provide a valid police report filed before the ticket was issued.

What DOESN’T Work:

  • “I didn’t know the camera was there.” (Ignorance is not a defense).
  • “It was 3 AM and school was closed.” (Since 2022, cameras run 24/7/365).
  • “I wasn’t driving.” (In NYC, the owner is liable, regardless of who was driving, unless you can prove the car was stolen).

How to Avoid the Next One

Paying $50 stings. But the real danger is getting multiple tickets. Under the “Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program,” if you get 15 tickets in 12 months, the city can seize your vehicle.

You can’t memorize 2,000 camera locations. You need a co-pilot.

Ticketguard is the only app that gives you an audio alert before you enter a speed camera zone. We use the city’s own data to map the “invisible” traps so you can slow down in time.

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play