DC Traffic Tickets

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

DC's traffic-ticket system is administrative rather than judicial for most non-criminal violations. Citations are adjudicated by the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), not by the DC Superior Court (which only handles criminal traffic charges like DUI and reckless driving). DC also issues a high volume of automated camera citations for speeding, red-light running, and stop-sign violations.

Reading a DC citation

Every DC traffic citation lists:

The cited statute (DC Municipal Regulations Title 18 — Vehicles and Traffic).
The agency that issued it (MPD, US Park Police, US Capitol Police, US Secret Service, or automated camera).
The fine amount.
The deadline for response (typically 30 days from issuance).
The location and date of the alleged violation.
Instructions for paying online, mailing in payment, or requesting an OAH hearing.

Paying a citation

For most non-criminal traffic violations, payment closes the case as a no-contest plea — equivalent to a conviction for record purposes. DC accepts payment:

Online through the DC Citation Pay portal at dmv.dc.gov.
By mail with a check or money order, using the citation number as the reference.
By phone through DC's automated payment line.
In person at any DC DMV service center.

Pay before the deadline printed on the citation — typically 30 days. Missing the deadline triggers a doubled fine after 30 days, and additional penalties at 60 days. After 60 days, the unpaid citation triggers a hold on your DC driver's license and on any DC vehicle registration renewal.

Contesting a citation

To contest, request an OAH hearing within 30 days of the citation date. Methods:

Online through the DC OAH hearing-request portal.
By mail with a written request and a copy of the citation.
In person at OAH's office on Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

OAH schedules a hearing — either an in-person hearing, a telephone hearing, or a paper review based on submitted evidence. The driver may represent themselves or hire counsel. Hearing outcomes: not liable (citation dismissed, no record entry), liable (the original fine and points are confirmed), or partially liable (a different finding with adjusted penalties).

Automated camera citations

DC operates one of the most extensive automated traffic enforcement networks in the country, with hundreds of cameras for:

Speed cameras — fixed and mobile.
Red-light cameras — at signalized intersections.
Stop-sign cameras — newer additions in residential areas.
Bus-lane cameras — enforcing bus-only lanes during rush hours.
Crosswalk cameras — pedestrian-protection enforcement.

Camera citations are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle, not to the driver. The owner can pay or contest at OAH; if the citation reflects another driver's conduct, the owner can transfer responsibility by sworn affidavit. Camera citations do not assess points against the driving record (since the driver is not personally identified) but the fine is still owed.

Common DC citations

Speeding 1-10 mph over — $50 to $100, 3 points (officer-issued).
Speeding 11-15 mph over — $100 to $200, 4 points.
Speeding 16+ mph over — $200 to $400, 4-8 points.
Failure to yield to pedestrian — $250.
Red-light camera — $150 (no points).
Stop-sign camera — $100 (no points).
Texting while driving — $100 to $250, 3 points.
Bus-lane camera — $100.
Parking citations — $30 to $100 depending on offense.

Failure to appear or pay

If you ignore a citation, DC doubles the fine at 30 days, adds penalties at 60 days, and triggers a license/registration hold. To clear an old citation, contact DC DMV or OAH, pay any accumulated fees and the original fine, and request release of the hold. The license remains suspended until the DC DMV system shows the release. See suspended license reinstatement for the next-step sequence and the point system framework for how repeat citations escalate.