Getting a parking ticket in a rental car can be confusing because the vehicle belongs to the rental company, but you were the person using it when the citation was issued.
In most cases, you are still responsible for the parking violation.
If you receive a parking ticket in a rental car in Los Angeles, the best approach is to deal with it promptly instead of assuming the rental company will take care of it for you.
The City of Los Angeles allows parking citations to be paid online, by phone, through the PayTix system, in person, or by mail. If a citation is not paid by the required due date, late penalties and other sanctions can be added.
This guide explains what happens when you get a parking ticket in a rental car, who is responsible, how payment works, what rental-company administrative fees may apply, and what to do if you believe the ticket was issued incorrectly.
Are You Responsible for a Parking Ticket in a Rental Car?
Usually, yes.
When you rent a vehicle, you are generally responsible for parking violations incurred during your rental period.
The vehicle may be registered to the rental company, but the rental company can identify who was renting it when the violation occurred.
For example, Enterprise explains that municipalities or toll authorities may send violation information to Enterprise as the registered owner. Enterprise then uses the date, time, and vehicle details to identify the renter who had possession of the car at the time.
That means returning the rental car does not make the parking ticket disappear.
What Should You Do If You Find a Parking Ticket on the Rental Car?
If you find a physical citation on the windshield, do not throw it away.
Take a photo of the ticket and save the information.
Look for:
- Citation number
- Date
- Time
- Vehicle license plate
- Violation type
- Location
- Fine amount
- Payment deadline
Then check whether the citation was issued by the City of Los Angeles or another local authority.
If it is a Los Angeles parking citation, you can use the city’s official payment system.
How Do You Pay a Los Angeles Parking Ticket?
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation provides several payment methods.
You can currently pay a City of Los Angeles parking citation:
- Online
- Through PayTix
- By phone
- In person
- By mail
LADOT currently states that web, app, and telephone credit-card payments carry a $2 transaction/convenience fee.
If you have the citation in hand, paying directly before returning the rental car can often be the simplest option.
Should You Pay the Ticket Yourself or Let the Rental Company Handle It?
If the citation is valid and you can pay it directly to the issuing authority, paying it yourself promptly can often reduce complications.
Why?
Because if the ticket remains unpaid, the government agency may eventually contact the rental company as the vehicle’s registered owner.
The rental company may then:
- Identify you as the renter
- Transfer liability where permitted
- Pay the citation and bill you
- Charge an administrative or processing fee
Enterprise specifically states that in some locations it transfers violation liability to the rental customer, who then pays the local authority directly, while Enterprise’s standard administrative fee may still apply.
Your own rental agreement determines the exact process.
Can the Rental Company Charge an Administrative Fee?
Yes, it may.
The parking fine and the rental-company administrative fee are two different charges.
For example:
Parking fine: Charged by the city or parking authority
Administrative fee: Charged by the rental company for handling the violation
Enterprise states that its standard administrative fee can still apply even when liability for a violation is transferred directly to the renter.
The exact amount varies by rental company.
Check the section of your rental agreement covering:
- Parking violations
- Traffic citations
- Tolls
- Fines
- Administrative fees
What Happens If You Ignore the Parking Ticket?
Ignoring it can make the situation more expensive.
LADOT states that if payment is not received on or before the required due date, late penalty fees and additional sanctions can be assessed.
The city may also continue pursuing the citation against the registered vehicle.
Because the rental company owns the vehicle, the notice can eventually reach the rental provider.
The rental company may then use the rental record to identify you.
Can the Rental Company Charge Your Credit Card Later?
Potentially, depending on the terms you agreed to.
Rental agreements commonly authorize companies to charge renters for certain post-rental expenses such as:
- Tolls
- Parking violations
- Traffic fines
- Administrative fees
Do not assume that the final charge you see when returning the car is necessarily the final transaction related to the rental.
A parking citation may take time to reach the rental company.
What If You Paid the Ticket but the Rental Company Still Charges You?
Keep proof of payment.
Save:
- Payment receipt
- Citation number
- Payment confirmation
- Date of payment
- Screenshot or email receipt
If the rental company later contacts you about the same violation, provide the documentation showing that the underlying citation was already paid.
An administrative fee may still be handled separately depending on the rental agreement.
What If You Lost the Parking Ticket?
If the ticket was issued in Los Angeles, you may still be able to locate or resolve the citation using official parking-citation services.
Information that may help includes:
- License plate
- Citation number if you photographed it
- Violation date
- Vehicle details
If you no longer have the physical citation, contact the relevant parking authority.
For Los Angeles City citations, LADOT lists the Parking Violations Bureau at (866) 561-9742.
Can You Contest a Parking Ticket From a Rental Car?
Yes, if you believe the citation was issued incorrectly and the issuing authority allows a challenge.
Los Angeles provides procedures for contesting parking citations, beginning with an Initial Review and potentially progressing to an Administrative Hearing. LADOT also introduced a virtual Administrative Hearing option in June 2026.
However, deadlines matter.
Do not ignore the ticket while deciding whether to challenge it.
What Evidence Should You Keep If You Want to Contest the Ticket?
Useful evidence may include:
- Photos of the parking signs
- Photos of the vehicle’s position
- Parking-meter receipt
- Parking-app receipt
- Timestamped photos
- Rental agreement
- Citation
- Proof of a broken meter if applicable
The more clearly you can document what happened, the easier it is to explain your case.
What If the Parking Meter Was Broken?
Los Angeles has specific rules for broken parking meters.
LADOT states that a meter is considered officially broken only when it accepts neither coins nor credit-card payment. If one payment method still works, the driver is generally expected to use that method or park somewhere else.
If you believe a broken meter caused the citation:
- Photograph the meter.
- Record the meter number.
- Report the problem.
- Keep any supporting evidence.
LADOT currently lists its broken-meter hotline as (877) 215-3958.
What If You Paid Through a Parking App?
Keep the digital receipt.
Useful records include:
- Zone number
- Vehicle plate
- Start time
- End time
- Payment confirmation
Los Angeles supports app-based parking payments at many designated meters, including systems such as ParkMobile and PARK SMARTER.
If you contest a citation, your app receipt may be useful evidence.
What If You Entered the Wrong License Plate in the Parking App?
This can create a problem because enforcement may not be able to match the payment to the rental vehicle.
Rental cars are especially easy to mis-enter because you may not know the license plate from memory.
A good habit is to photograph the rental car’s plate at pickup.
When paying for parking, compare the plate shown in the app with the actual vehicle before completing payment.
What If the Ticket Was Issued After You Returned the Rental Car?
Check the time and date.
If the citation occurred after your rental officially ended, you should not automatically accept responsibility.
Compare:
- Citation date and time
- Rental return time
- Final rental receipt
If the vehicle had already been returned, contact the rental company and provide the documentation.
What If the Ticket Was Issued Before You Picked Up the Car?
The same principle applies.
Compare the violation time with your rental agreement.
If the citation predates your rental, notify the rental company.
Do not pay a violation that clearly occurred before you had possession of the vehicle without first verifying responsibility.
What If You Get More Than One Parking Ticket?
Each citation is generally treated separately.
If you receive multiple tickets:
- Record every citation number.
- Check the issuing authority.
- Review each deadline.
- Pay or contest each one separately.
- Keep documentation for all of them.
Do not assume paying one citation resolves the others.
Can a Rental Car Be Booted Because of Parking Tickets?
Potentially, if the vehicle has enough delinquent citations.
LADOT currently states that vehicles with five or more delinquent parking citations may become eligible to be booted or towed.
For a normal rental customer, this would be an unusual scenario, but it demonstrates why unpaid citations should not be ignored.
If a rental vehicle is booted while you have it, contact both:
- The rental company
- The appropriate Los Angeles parking authority
Do not attempt to remove the boot yourself.
What Happens If the Rental Car Is Towed?
A parking violation can sometimes lead to towing depending on the violation or location.
If your rental car is missing:
- Confirm that it was not moved by another authorized driver.
- Contact the rental company.
- Determine whether the vehicle was impounded or towed.
- Follow the official recovery procedure.
LADOT advises motorists with impounded vehicles to identify the Official Police Garage holding the vehicle and contact that facility for the required recovery steps.
Who Pays the Towing Fee?
Responsibility depends on why the car was towed and the rental agreement.
If the vehicle was legally towed because of the renter’s parking violation, the renter may be responsible for:
- Citation
- Towing
- Storage
- Rental-company administrative fees
Contact the rental company immediately rather than trying to resolve the situation without telling them.
What If You Get a Street-Sweeping Ticket?
Street sweeping is a common parking-enforcement issue in Los Angeles.
Always check posted street signs before leaving the rental car.
Parking restrictions may vary by:
- Day
- Time
- Neighborhood
- Permit zone
Do not assume that an open parking space means parking is currently legal.
What If You Park in a Permit-Only Area?
Los Angeles has residential and preferential parking districts where posted rules can restrict parking by vehicles without the appropriate permit.
A rental car does not automatically receive exemption from residential parking restrictions.
Read every sign carefully.
What If the Parking Sign Is Confusing?
Los Angeles streets can sometimes have several signs on the same pole.
Check:
- Days
- Hours
- Street-cleaning restrictions
- Permit requirements
- Loading-zone restrictions
- Meter rules
- Tow-away periods
If you are uncertain, choosing another parking space can be less expensive than risking a citation.
Do Parking Tickets Affect the Rental Car’s Security Deposit?
Not necessarily immediately.
A security deposit and a parking violation are different matters.
However, depending on the rental contract, the company may later charge amounts related to:
- Citation
- Administrative fee
- Other violation processing
Do not assume the deposit release means there can be no later citation-related charge.
Do Parking Tickets Affect Your Driver’s License?
Parking citations are generally different from moving violations such as speeding or reckless driving.
However, unpaid citations can still create financial and administrative consequences.
For rental customers, the immediate concern is usually:
- Paying the citation
- Avoiding late penalties
- Avoiding rental-company processing fees
Parking Ticket vs. Traffic Ticket in a Rental Car
These should not be confused.
Parking Ticket
Usually relates to:
- Expired meter
- Street cleaning
- Permit restriction
- Red curb
- Parking time limit
Traffic Ticket
Usually relates to driving behavior such as:
- Speeding
- Illegal turn
- Moving violation
Traffic violations can involve different legal processes.
This article is specifically about parking citations.
Parking Ticket vs. Toll Violation
These are also different.
A parking citation is normally issued because of where or how the vehicle was parked.
A toll violation generally occurs because required road or express-lane charges were not paid correctly.
Keep these topics separate when reviewing your rental charges.
How to Avoid Parking Tickets in a Los Angeles Rental Car
Read Every Parking Sign
Never rely only on the car parked in front of you.
Their parking situation may be different.
Check the Meter
Confirm:
- Operating hours
- Maximum time
- Payment requirement
Save Your Parking Receipt
Keep digital or printed evidence.
Photograph the Rental Car’s License Plate
You may need it for parking apps.
Set a Parking Timer
Use your phone to remind you before the meter or time limit expires.
Check Street-Cleaning Rules
Some streets have specific no-parking windows.
Watch Curb Colors
Different curb markings can indicate different restrictions.
Avoid Unclear Spaces
If you cannot determine whether parking is legal, choose another spot.
What Should You Do Before Returning the Rental Car?
If you received a parking citation:
- Take a photo of it.
- Record the citation number.
- Pay or contest it through the correct authority.
- Keep proof of payment.
- Do not leave the ticket inside the vehicle and assume the rental company will handle everything.
If you have already paid it, keep the receipt even after returning the car.
What If You Receive a Violation Notice Weeks Later?
This can happen because parking agencies may contact the registered owner first.
The rental company then identifies who rented the car at the relevant time.
Enterprise says violation notifications can be generated from information sent by municipalities and matched to the renter using the vehicle, date, and time of the incident.
If you receive a later notice:
- Confirm the vehicle.
- Confirm the date.
- Confirm the time.
- Compare it with your rental period.
- Review whether you already paid the ticket.
Should You Contact the Rental Company Immediately?
It depends.
If you have a normal parking ticket and can resolve it directly with the city, you may be able to handle it without additional action.
Contact the rental company if:
- The vehicle was towed
- The vehicle was booted
- You cannot identify the citation
- The ticket happened outside your rental period
- The rental company already charged you
- You need documentation about the vehicle
Parking Ticket Checklist for Rental Car Drivers
When You Receive the Ticket
- Photograph the citation
- Check license plate
- Check date and time
- Check violation
- Check issuing authority
- Check payment deadline
If Paying
- Use official payment system
- Save confirmation
- Keep receipt
If Contesting
- Photograph signs
- Save parking receipt
- Save meter/app evidence
- Submit challenge before deadline
- Keep copies of everything
After Returning the Rental
- Keep rental agreement
- Keep return receipt
- Keep citation payment proof
- Watch for rental-company notices
Common Parking-Ticket Mistakes
Throwing Away the Citation
You may need the citation number later.
Better approach: Photograph and save it.
Assuming the Rental Company Will Pay It
That can lead to additional fees.
Better approach: Resolve the violation directly when appropriate.
Waiting Until After the Due Date
Los Angeles can add late penalties to overdue citations.
Better approach: Pay or contest promptly.
Forgetting Your Rental Car’s License Plate
This can cause problems when using parking apps.
Better approach: Photograph the plate at pickup.
Ignoring Parking Signs
Los Angeles parking restrictions can vary by hour and day.
Better approach: Read the entire sign.
Losing Proof of Payment
The rental company may receive a notice later.
Better approach: Keep your receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays a parking ticket on a rental car in Los Angeles?
The renter is generally responsible for parking violations incurred during the rental period. The rental company may identify the responsible renter when it receives a citation notice.
Can I pay a Los Angeles rental-car parking ticket myself?
Yes. Los Angeles currently allows citation payments online, through PayTix, by phone, in person, or by mail.
What happens if I do not pay a Los Angeles parking ticket?
Late penalties and other sanctions can be added if payment is not received by the required deadline.
Will the rental company charge me for the parking ticket?
It may. Depending on the rental agreement, the company may transfer liability, pay the violation and bill you, or charge an administrative fee.
Can a rental company charge an administrative fee for a parking ticket?
Yes. Enterprise, for example, states that its standard administrative fee may apply when violation liability is transferred to the renter.
Can I contest a parking ticket received in a rental car?
Yes, if the issuing authority allows it and you follow the required process. Los Angeles provides Initial Review and Administrative Hearing procedures.
What if the ticket was issued after I returned the rental car?
Compare the citation time with your final rental receipt. If the ticket occurred outside your rental period, contact the rental company with your documentation.
What if I already paid the ticket but the rental company contacts me?
Provide your payment confirmation. An administrative fee may still apply depending on your rental agreement.
Can a Los Angeles rental car be towed for a parking violation?
Yes, some parking violations can result in towing. LADOT provides procedures for locating and recovering impounded vehicles.
Can unpaid parking tickets get a vehicle booted?
LADOT currently states that a vehicle with five or more delinquent parking citations may become eligible for booting or towing.
Do rental-car parking tickets affect the security deposit?
Not necessarily directly, but rental companies may later process citation-related charges according to the rental agreement.
Final Advice: Parking Tickets in Los Angeles Rental Cars
If you get a parking ticket in a rental car in Los Angeles, do not ignore it simply because you do not own the vehicle.
The safest approach is:
Check the citation → confirm it occurred during your rental → pay or contest it promptly → keep proof → retain your rental documents.
Los Angeles allows several official ways to pay parking citations, and unpaid tickets can accumulate late penalties.
Remember that the rental company can usually identify who had possession of the vehicle when a violation occurred, and an additional administrative charge may apply depending on your rental agreement.
If you believe the ticket was incorrect, use the official Los Angeles citation-review process rather than simply refusing to pay.
Taking care of the issue early is usually much simpler than dealing with an overdue citation or rental-company notice weeks after your Los Angeles trip has ended.