District of Columbia traffic tickets
Points, traffic school, deadlines and what a ticket does to your insurance in District of Columbia.
Speeding ticket$50–$400state schedule
License at risk10 ptsin 24 months
Online defensive driving course (point removal)Yesavailable, with limits
Insurance after 1 ticket+15%on $2,928 a year
What will my ticket really cost? Check my points
What kind of ticket did you get?
- Speeding
- School zone
- Red light
- Texting
- No insurance
- Expired registration
- Seat belt
- School bus
- Failure to yield
- Parking
Which court is on your ticket?
One statewide schedule sets most fines. Pick the court named on your ticket.
Every District of Columbia ticket goes to the DC DMV Adjudication Services
Tap it for the phone number, pay link and traffic school steps.
DC DMV Adjudication Services(866) 893-5023Pays online
DC DMV Adjudication Services. Fines follow the District of Columbia statewide schedule.
- Address
- 955 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Promenade Level, Suite P100, Washington, DC 20024
- Phone
- (866) 893-5023
- Hours
- 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Opens 9:15 a.m. on Wednesdays.
- Traffic school
- A hearing examiner can approve an online defensive driving course to remove the points. Contest by mail and ask in writing for the points to be waived.
What are your options with a District of Columbia ticket?
Paying is the fastest route, and it usually puts the ticket on your record. Online defensive driving course (point removal) is the main way to avoid that.
What does the District of Columbia state schedule charge for speeding?
None on the fine itself. The amount on the ticket is the full fine.[4][5][6]
Every fine on the District of Columbia schedule (28)
| Ticket | You pay |
|---|---|
| Speeding, 1–10 mph overPrinted as: Speeding up to 10 mph over (18 DCMR 2200.1)The fine is the whole amount if paid within 30 days. | $50[4] |
| Speeding, 11–15 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 11 to 15 mph over3 points. | $100[4][2] |
| Speeding, 16–20 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 16 to 20 mph over4 points. | $150[4][2] |
| Speeding, 21–25 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 21 to 25 mph over5 points. | $200[4][2] |
| Speeding, 26–30 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 26 to 30 mph over5 points. | $300[4][2] |
| Speeding, 26+ mph overPrinted as: Over 25 mph over on a controlled access roadway5 points. | $400[4][2] |
| Speeding in a school zone (18 DCMR 2200.8) | $100[4] |
| Speeding near a playground, recreation center, pool, athletic field or senior center | $100[4] |
| Passing a red light (18 DCMR 2103.7) | $150[4] |
| Turning on red where a sign prohibits it | $100[4] |
| Disobeying an official traffic signal or sign (18 DCMR 2000.4)This is the closest match. | $100[4] |
| Failure to yield to another vehicle | $100[4] |
| Failure to stop and give right of way to a pedestrian in the roadway3 points. | $150[4][2] |
| Passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian | $500[4] |
| Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle6 points. | $150[4][2] |
| Using a phone or other device without a hands-free accessory while driving | $100[4] |
| Distracted driving | $100[4] |
| Following too closely2 points. | $100[4][2] |
| Changing lanes without caution | $100[4] |
| Improper turn | $100[4] |
| Passing a stopped school bus with lights flashing or stop arm out4 points. | $500[4][2] |
| Driver not wearing a seat belt3 points. | $50[4][2] |
| Child not in a car seat or seat belt | $75[4] |
| Operating or allowing operation without insurance | $500[4] |
| Failure to show proof of insurance | $30[4] |
| Dead or expired tags | $100[4] |
| Unregistered vehicle for more than 30 days | $200[4] |
| Open container of alcohol | $100[4] |
How many points is a speeding ticket in District of Columbia?
- Speeding, 11–15 mph over3 pts[2]
- Speeding, 16–20 mph over4 pts[2]
- Following too closely2 pts[2]
- Driving with the wrong class of license2 pts[2]
- Driving with a license expired less than 90 days2 pts[2]
- No seat belt3 pts[2]
- A violation that contributes to a crash3 pts[2]
- Failing to give the right of way to a pedestrian3 pts[2]
All 24 point values
- Speeding 21 mph or more over5 pts[2]
- Passing a stopped school bus4 pts[2]
- Driving in violation of a license restriction4 pts[2]
- Driving on a learner permit without a licensed driver5 pts[2]
- A misdemeanor involving a vehicle6 pts[2]
- Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle6 pts[2]
- Reckless driving6 pts[2]
- Leaving the scene of a crash with no injury8 pts[2]
- Turning off headlights to avoid police8 pts[2]
- Leaving the scene of a crash with injury12 pts[2]
- Fleeing or trying to elude police12 pts[2]
- Aggravated reckless driving12 pts[2]
- Driving while suspended or revoked12 pts[2]
- DUI12 pts[2]
- Driving under 21 with any measurable alcohol12 pts[2]
- Parking and camera (photo enforcement) tickets0 pts[3]
How points work in District of Columbia
DC DMV adds points when you pay a moving ticket, are found liable at a hearing, or don't pay within 60 days. Points stay on your record for 2 years. Camera and parking tickets carry no points. At 10 points your license is suspended, and at 12 it is revoked.[2][3][5]
Commercial driver? Points and disqualifications work differently. How tickets affect a CDL →
When can you lose your license?
Full wording of each rule
- 10 points in 24 months: 10 or 11 points: license suspended for 90 days
- 12 points in 24 months: 12 or more points: license revoked until DMV reinstates it, at least 6 months after the revocation
Getting your license back after a suspension costs $115 in District of Columbia, before any course or court costs.[11]
Drivers under 21
Driving under 21 with any measurable alcohol is 12 points, which means automatic revocation.[2]
Can online defensive driving course (point removal) keep a ticket off your record in District of Columbia?
It can help. The points for the ticket are removed. The violation still shows on your driving record and you still pay the fine.[3]
Is it worth it for your ticket? Get a yes or no →
Who qualifies, CDL drivers and cost
The points for the ticket are removed. The violation still shows on your driving record and you still pay the fine.[3]
Who can use it: Contest the ticket by mail and ask in writing for the points to be waived. The hearing examiner looks at your record and how serious the violation was. If approved, the decision reads Liable Traffic School Approved.[3]
Cost: Not confirmed: Set by the course provider.
Do school and work zones cost more?
School zones
Speeding in a school zone is a flat $100 ticket. Speeding near playgrounds, recreation centers, pools, athletic fields and senior centers is also $100.[4]
When is your ticket due?
- 30daysPay or respondfrom the ticket date[5][6][7]
Details
Pay the fine or contest the ticket. If you miss it: A penalty equal to the fine is added.
- 30daysFinish traffic schoolfrom the notice date[3]
Details
Pay the fine and finish the approved course. If you miss it: The points stay on your record.
- 30daysLast day to appealfrom the notice date[8]
Details
Appeal a denied reconsideration request or motion to vacate. If you miss it: The decision stands.
- 60daysLast day to pay with the penalty or contestfrom the ticket date[2][5]
Details
Last day to pay with the penalty or contest. If you miss it: On day 61 you are found liable and the points are added.
- 120daysFile a motion to vacate after being found liable by defaultfrom the ticket date[5]
Details
File a motion to vacate after being found liable by default. If you miss it: On day 121 the ticket goes to collections.
What happens if you don't respond
If you don't pay or contest within 30 days, a penalty equal to the fine is added. After 60 days you are found liable and the points go on your record. After 120 days the ticket goes to collections. DC residents with unpaid ticket debt can lose a tax refund and can be blocked from renewing a license or registration. If you miss a scheduled hearing, the examiner decides on the officer's evidence and you must file a motion to vacate to get another hearing.[5][7][9][10]
Work out your exact dates → · Already missed it?
Will an out-of-state ticket follow you home?
- Shares convictions with other states (Driver License Compact)Yes[1]
- Can suspend you over unpaid out-of-state tickets (Nonresident Violator Compact)Yes[1]
DC shares tickets through both the Driver License Compact and the Nonresident Violator Compact. Points go only on the record in the state that licensed you. DC DMV adds points to DC drivers for out-of-state tickets using DC's own chart, so a 2-point ticket elsewhere can count for more here.[1][3]
How out-of-state tickets work →
How much will it raise your insurance in District of Columbia?
One speeding ticket raised a full-coverage premium by about 15% on average in District of Columbia[1], from a clean-record average of $2,928 a year.[1] If that increase stays for three years, that's about $1,318 on top of the fine.
Averages from ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026, not a quote. Insurers differ, and many look back three to five years.
Where are the official pages?
What else do people ask?
How do points work in District of Columbia?
DC DMV adds points when you pay a moving ticket, are found liable at a hearing, or don't pay within 60 days. Points stay on your record for 2 years. Camera and parking tickets carry no points. At 10 points your license is suspended, and at 12 it is revoked.
How many points before your license is at risk in District of Columbia?
10 points in 24 months: 10 or 11 points: license suspended for 90 days.
Can traffic school keep a ticket off my record in District of Columbia?
Online defensive driving course (point removal): The points for the ticket are removed. The violation still shows on your driving record and you still pay the fine.
How long do I have to pay or respond to a ticket in District of Columbia?
30 days from the citation. If you miss it: A penalty equal to the fine is added.
Will an out-of-state ticket follow me home to District of Columbia?
District of Columbia is a member of the Driver License Compact, so convictions in other member states are reported to District of Columbia. DC shares tickets through both the Driver License Compact and the Nonresident Violator Compact. Points go only on the record in the state that licensed you. DC DMV adds points to DC drivers for out-of-state tickets using DC's own chart, so a 2-point ticket elsewhere can count for more here.
How much does a speeding ticket raise insurance in District of Columbia?
About 15% on average for full coverage, according to ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026. Your insurer's rate can differ a lot from the average.
Sources
District of Columbia law and DMV sources (13)
- AAMVA DLC/NRVC Member Joinder Dates (rev. April 2026), AAMVA.
- Point System Chart, DC Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Driver Point System, DC Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Collateral List for Moving, Parking, and Non-Moving Violations (revised January 2025), Metropolitan Police Department (DC).
- Understanding the Ticket Timeline, DC Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Pay Tickets, DC Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Contest a Minor Moving Violation Ticket, DC Department of Motor Vehicles.
- How to File an Appeal, DC Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Virtual Hearings, DC Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Failure to Pay a Ticket, DC Department of Motor Vehicles.
- DMV Fees (driver license fees), DC Department of Motor Vehicles.
- License Reinstatement, DC Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Suspended or Revoked License, DC Department of Motor Vehicles.
Insurance sources (4)
- State of Auto Insurance in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- Car Insurance Rate Increases with a Speeding Ticket in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Does a DUI Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After a Crash in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).