Unscripted DC
Living here, not just visiting.
DC Parking
Getting a parking ticket in DC is frustrating. Handling it wrong makes it significantly more expensive. Here’s what DC parking tickets actually cost, what happens if you ignore one, and how to fight back if yours was issued in error.
How Much DC Parking Tickets Cost
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Expired meter | $25 |
| Overtime parking (exceeded time limit) | $25 |
| Street cleaning violation | $45 |
| Bus stop violation | $50 |
| No parking zone | $100 |
| Blocking a fire hydrant | $100 |
| Blocking a crosswalk | $100 |
| Rush hour zone violation | $100+ plus towing |
| Handicapped space without valid permit | $250 |
What Happens If You Don’t Pay
After 30 days: A penalty equal to the original fine is added. Your ticket doubles.
After 60 days: Additional penalties apply and the ticket may be sent to collections.
Ongoing unpaid tickets: DC will eventually boot your vehicle. Two unpaid tickets makes your car eligible. See our full DC towing rules guide for exactly what happens next.
Out-of-state drivers: Unpaid DC tickets can follow you through DMV systems in other states and block your registration renewal back home. This catches a lot of visitors completely off guard.
Bottom line: pay it or fight it within 30 days. Ignoring it costs you more every month.
How to Pay a DC Parking Ticket
Four options — full details in our complete guide to paying a DC parking ticket. Quick version:
Online: dmv.dc.gov/service/pay-tickets — 2.5% fee on cards, free via ACH
Phone: (866) 893-5023
Mail: Check/money order to DC Treasurer, PO Box 37135, Washington DC 20013
In person: 955 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Suite P100
How to Contest a DC Parking Ticket
DC law recognizes seven valid defenses for parking violations:
- You were not the owner or lessee of the vehicle at the time
- The vehicle or its plates were stolen (requires a police report)
- The relevant signs were missing or obscured
- The parking meter was broken or malfunctioned through no fault of yours
- The facts on the ticket are inconsistent or don’t support the violation
- The vehicle was suddenly mechanically disabled and removed as soon as possible
- The operator needed immediate medical assistance (proof required)
If one of these applies, you have a legitimate case. If none apply — be honest with yourself before contesting.
How to Submit Your Contest
Online: Go to dmv.dc.gov and submit a hearing request. Upload any evidence — photos of the sign, meter, your vehicle, ParkMobile receipt.
By mail: Mark “contest” on the back of your ticket, write your explanation, attach evidence, mail to DC DMV Adjudication Services, Attn: Mail Adjudication, PO Box 37135, Washington, DC 20013.
In person or virtually: Available at the Adjudication Service Center at 955 L’Enfant Plaza SW.
Contest within 30 days — only the original fine applies if you lose
Contest between 30–60 days — the doubled penalty also applies if you lose
After 60 days — you must file a Motion to Vacate, a more complicated process
Middle ground option — Admit with an Explanation: You’re not contesting guilt but asking for leniency. The examiner may reduce or dismiss the fine. Works best for first-time violations or genuinely unusual situations.
Tips for Contesting Successfully
Take photos at the scene. If you think a sign was missing or the meter was broken, photograph it immediately. Evidence submitted with your case dramatically improves your odds.
Check TICPIX. DC Department of Public Works posts images of parking violations online at dpw.dc.gov — search TICPIX. Images are available 72 hours after a ticket is issued. See exactly what the officer photographed before deciding whether to contest.
Be professional. Write your statement clearly and calmly. Hearing examiners respond to facts and evidence, not frustration.
Don’t pay first. Once you pay, the case is closed permanently.
Rental Cars: Watch Out
If you’re driving a rental car in DC, many rental companies automatically pay any tickets issued to their vehicles and then charge you the fine plus their own administrative fees — without giving you the opportunity to contest. Check your rental agreement before you travel. Once the rental company pays, you have no recourse.
If You Can’t Afford to Pay
DC offers installment payment plans through the DC Central Collection Unit of the Office of Finance and Treasury. Contact them through the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at 311 or (202) 737-4404 rather than letting fines continue to accumulate.
Skip Parking Entirely This Summer
No parking means no tickets. A private DC city tour handles all the logistics — monuments, Arlington, timing — so you never have to think about parking at all.
Book Private DC Tour →
Up to 5 people · Reserve now, pay later · No parking. No tickets. No stress.
This post contains affiliate links. If you book or purchase through our links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.