We're here to help you avoid tickets from Muni or parking.
We have been asking community members what kind of information they need to ride Muni or park in the city. Many people want to know:
- “What’s the best way to avoid a Muni or parking ticket?”
- “What can I do if I get a ticket?”
We’re here to help with answers in English, Spanish and Mandarin.
We produced short videos in all three languages. We filmed them in the Mission, Chinatown and Bayview. The project was a helpful opportunity to learn even more about the needs of local residents. For example, we partnered closely with Latinx community leaders on the Spanish language clips.
You can check out the videos below or read on for key takeaways. We hope the clips help as you plan your trips around the city. Feel free to share them with friends and family!
How to avoid Muni and parking tickets in San Francisco
Watch the video above to learn how to pay for your ride or parking spot and avoid getting a ticket. We also cover what to do if you can’t pay.
Want to watch in Spanish or Chinese? Click these links:
Here are the key things to know:
Muni:
- Before you ride:
- Make sure your Clipper card has funds.
- Note: If you need a little help to pay your fare, see our Fares webpage for a list of discounted and free Muni programs.
- After you board:
- If paying with a Clipper card, scan it correctly. It should only beep once.
- If you use one of our passes, have it handy.
- If you use the MuniMobile app, activate your payment.
- If using cash, have the exact amount ready to pay at the front of the vehicle.
Your fare covers two hours of travel on Muni buses and trains.
Parking:
- Check street signs and curb colors to avoid parking tickets.
- For tips on what each curb color means, see our Color Curbs webpage.
- For help with signs and general guidance, see our How to Park Legally webpage.
What to do if you get a Muni or parking ticket in San Francisco
If you get a Muni or parking ticket, you have options. In about 60 seconds, you can learn all about them from the video above.
Want to watch in Spanish or Chinese? Click these links:
Here are the tips we share in each clip:
- Deadline: You have 21 days to protest a ticket.
- Payment: Explore easy ways to pay on our Pay a Parking Ticket or Transit Citation webpage. You can pay by phone, online, mail or in person.
- Other options: You can apply for a monthly payment plan or complete community service hours if you can’t pay right away. See our Citation Payment Options webpage for details.
Learn more with our agency podcast
Several episodes of our Taken with Transportation podcast also can help you navigate Muni and parking in the city.
- “How to Muni” offers a practical guide for using our transit system.
- “Curb Space” explains how we manage San Francisco’s curbs and includes tips for avoiding parking tickets.
- “Our Fare Share” lets you ride along with our transit fare inspectors to learn about fare compliance and enforcement.
You can find these and all our Taken with Transportation episodes at our podcast webpage (SFMTA.com/Podcast), our YouTube channel or wherever you listen.
Muni is a public service that benefits everyone. So it’s important for all of us to do our part to keep it running smoothly and improve it over time. And if you need to drive, remember to follow parking rules and help us keep our streets safe for everyone.