District of Columbia Traffic Laws: Points, Tickets, License Suspension and DUI
District of Columbia driving rules: point system, speeding points, traffic school, how to pay or fight a ticket, license suspension, DUI limits and penalties.
Quick answers for District of Columbia
- Point system
- Yes. Points are assessed for moving violations (not parking or photo-enforcement tickets) when a driver is found liable at a hearing, pays the ticket (payment is an admission of liability), or fails to pay within the required 60 days. DC DMV Driver Point System Chart; DC DMV Driver Point System page
- Points for speeding
- 11–15 mph over the limit: 3 points; 16–20 mph over: 4 points; 21 mph or more over: 5 points. DC DMV Driver Point System Chart
- Legal BAC limit
- A driver is 'intoxicated' at an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more (blood or breath); 0.04 or more for commercial vehicle drivers. Drivers under 21 face 12 points and revocation for driving with any measurable amount of alcohol. D.C. Code §§ 50-2206.01, 50-2206.11; DC DMV Driver Point System Chart
- First-offense DUI penalties
- A first DUI conviction carries a fine of $1,000, up to 180 days in jail, or both, with mandatory minimum jail of 10 days if BAC was at least 0.20, 15 days if over 0.25, and 20 days if over 0.30 (and 15 days for certain drugs). D.C. Code § 50-2206.13(a); DC DMV Suspended or Revoked License page
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Tickets and points
| Point system | Yes. Points are assessed for moving violations (not parking or photo-enforcement tickets) when a driver is found liable at a hearing, pays the ticket (payment is an admission of liability), or fails to pay within the required 60 days. Out-of-state moving violations are assessed using DC's point values. 10–11 points: license suspended for 90 days. 12 or more points: license revoked until the DMV reinstates it (at least 6 months after revocation). Some offenses, such as DUI, hit-and-run with injury and fleeing police, carry 12 points and automatic revocation. |
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| Points for speeding | 11–15 mph over the limit: 3 points; 16–20 mph over: 4 points; 21 mph or more over: 5 points. The chart does not list points for speeding 1–10 mph over. Source: DC DMV Driver Point System Chart |
| How long points last | Points stay on a DC driving record for two years. Source: DC DMV Driver Point System page |
| Traffic school | For a DC moving violation, a driver may ask a DMV hearing examiner, by contesting the ticket through adjudication by mail and specifically requesting a points waiver, for approval to take a DMV-approved online defensive driving course. Approval is discretionary. If approved, the decision reads 'Liable Traffic School Approved'; the driver must pay the fine within 15 days and finish the course within 30 days. The violation still appears on the record, but the points do not. Source: DC DMV Driver Point System page |
| Paying or fighting a ticket | DC DMV handles minor moving, parking and photo-enforcement tickets administratively. Do not pay if you want to admit with an explanation or contest the ticket; once paid, the option to adjudicate is gone. Adjudication is available online or by mail, and a Ticket Adjudication Ombudsman can help with the process. Failing to pay a moving-violation ticket within the required 60 days results in points being assessed. |
| Paying or looking up a ticket online | DC DMV handles parking, photo enforcement and minor moving violation tickets. Pay online through DMV's Pay Tickets service (separate links for parking/photo and minor moving tickets) or the DC DMV mobile app by Mastercard, Visa, Discover or American Express (a 2.5 percent service fee applies to online card payments; ACH/e-check is temporarily unavailable online), or in person. If payment is not received within 30 calendar days of the ticket date, a penalty equal to the fine is added. Do not pay if you want to admit with an explanation or contest the ticket, because a paid ticket can no longer be adjudicated. https://dmv.dc.gov/service/respond-ticket |
License suspension
| License suspension | The DMV may suspend or revoke a license for excessive points (90-day suspension at 10–11 points; revocation at 12 or more), delinquent child support (cleared with an Office of Attorney General clearance letter), and major violations such as DUI (a first DUI conviction brings a 6-month revocation and 12 points, with retesting required). Driving while suspended or revoked can bring up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Reinstatement requires clearing all stops and paying a reinstatement fee. |
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| Hardship or restricted license | If a license is suspended or revoked for a non-mandatory reason, the driver may be eligible for a limited occupational license allowing driving for work purposes only. The request must be made in writing to DMV Adjudication Services. |
| Checking and reinstating a license | For a suspended license, clear any stops on your record and pay the reinstatement fee online only (payable to the DC Treasurer); a points suspension may be reinstated at the end of the mandatory suspension period. For a revocation for points or a major moving violation, apply at the end of the revocation period and attend a virtual reinstatement hearing; alcohol- or drug-related revocations require a written application with proof of a state-certified counseling program. Non-DC-metro residents can mail a reinstatement request with a check or money order to DC DMV Driver Improvement Office, PO Box 90120, Washington, DC 20090. For a child-support revocation, get a clearance letter from the Office of the Attorney General's Child Support Enforcement Division and take it to a DMV service center. Help: (202) 737-4404. https://dmv.dc.gov/service/suspended-or-revoked-license |
DUI / DWI
| Legal BAC limit | A driver is 'intoxicated' at an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more (blood or breath); 0.04 or more for commercial vehicle drivers. Drivers under 21 face 12 points and revocation for driving with any measurable amount of alcohol. A driver can also be charged when under the influence at lower levels. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
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| First-offense DUI penalties | A first DUI conviction carries a fine of $1,000, up to 180 days in jail, or both, with mandatory minimum jail of 10 days if BAC was at least 0.20, 15 days if over 0.25, and 20 days if over 0.30 (and 15 days for certain drugs). The DMV revokes the license for 6 months and assesses 12 points, and retesting is required to get a license back. Ignition interlock requirements after a first DUI conviction were not confirmed beyond the refusal provision. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
| When a DUI is a felony | The District's DUI penalty law does not make a repeat DUI a felony. A first DUI carries up to 180 days in jail; a DUI with one or more prior DUI, DWI or impaired-driving offenses carries up to 1 year, with mandatory minimum jail terms that rise with the number of priors and the alcohol level, and an extra 30 days mandatory for each violation once a person has 3 priors. Separate crimes, such as homicide or assault committed with a vehicle, are handled under other laws. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
| Refusing a breath test | A person under arrest who refuses chemical testing after being warned has the privilege to drive in DC revoked for 12 months (or is denied a license for 12 months if unlicensed). A DC license holder who refuses must enroll in the Ignition Interlock System Program. Refusal is admissible as evidence, and with a prior DUI conviction there is a rebuttable presumption of being under the influence. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 50-1905 |
| DUI lookback period | A 'prior offense' counts for repeat-offender penalties unless the later of any incarceration, supervised release, parole or probation for it ended more than 15 years before the current arrest. A second offense carries a $2,500 to $5,000 fine and up to one year in jail with a 10-day minimum; the DMV lists a 1-year revocation for a second DUI and 3 years for a third within 15 years. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
| How long a DUI stays on your record | DC DMV assigns 12 points for driving under the influence or while impaired, and says points stay on a DC driving record for two years. The DMV pages read do not say how long the DUI conviction itself stays on the record. DC's criminal record sealing law was changed in recent years, and whether and when a DUI conviction can be sealed was not confirmed from the pages read. |
| Sobriety checkpoints | The Metropolitan Police Department runs weekly 'traffic safety compliance checkpoints' and has promoted them during holiday impaired-driving campaigns such as 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.' MPD calls these traffic safety compliance checkpoints, which check for impaired driving along with other violations; the pages read do not call them sobriety checkpoints as such. |
Phones and distracted driving
| Phone and texting laws | While driving, no one may use a mobile phone or other wireless device without a hands-free accessory, or hold one. Exceptions include emergency calls, starting or ending a call, turning the phone on or off, and being stopped (on or off the roadway) where the vehicle can safely remain stationary. Headphones or earbuds covering both ears are also prohibited. The fine is $100; for a first hands-free violation (not texting), the fine is suspended if the driver shows proof of getting a hands-free accessory. Re-verified and corrected 2026-10-27. |
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Where to get help in District of Columbia
Traffic Tickets & DUI FAQ
How does the driver point system work in District of Columbia?
Yes. Points are assessed for moving violations (not parking or photo-enforcement tickets) when a driver is found liable at a hearing, pays the ticket (payment is an admission of liability), or fails to pay within the required 60 days. Out-of-state moving violations are assessed using DC's point values. 10–11 points: license suspended for 90 days. 12 or more points: license revoked until the DMV reinstates it (at least 6 months after revocation). Some offenses, such as DUI, hit-and-run with injury and fleeing police, carry 12 points and automatic revocation.
How many points is a speeding ticket in District of Columbia?
11–15 mph over the limit: 3 points; 16–20 mph over: 4 points; 21 mph or more over: 5 points.
How long do points stay on your license in District of Columbia?
Points stay on a DC driving record for two years.
Can traffic school remove a ticket or points in District of Columbia?
For a DC moving violation, a driver may ask a DMV hearing examiner, by contesting the ticket through adjudication by mail and specifically requesting a points waiver, for approval to take a DMV-approved online defensive driving course. Approval is discretionary. If approved, the decision reads 'Liable Traffic School Approved'; the driver must pay the fine within 15 days and finish the course within 30 days. The violation still appears on the record, but the points do not.
How do I pay or look up a traffic ticket online in District of Columbia?
DC DMV handles parking, photo enforcement and minor moving violation tickets. Pay online through DMV's Pay Tickets service (separate links for parking/photo and minor moving tickets) or the DC DMV mobile app by Mastercard, Visa, Discover or American Express (a 2.5 percent service fee applies to online card payments; ACH/e-check is temporarily unavailable online), or in person. If payment is not received within 30 calendar days of the ticket date, a penalty equal to the fine is added. Do not pay if you want to admit with an explanation or contest the ticket, because a paid ticket can no longer be adjudicated.
How do I check if my license is suspended and get it reinstated in District of Columbia?
For a suspended license, clear any stops on your record and pay the reinstatement fee online only (payable to the DC Treasurer); a points suspension may be reinstated at the end of the mandatory suspension period. For a revocation for points or a major moving violation, apply at the end of the revocation period and attend a virtual reinstatement hearing; alcohol- or drug-related revocations require a written application with proof of a state-certified counseling program. Non-DC-metro residents can mail a reinstatement request with a check or money order to DC DMV Driver Improvement Office, PO Box 90120, Washington, DC 20090. For a child-support revocation, get a clearance letter from the Office of the Attorney General's Child Support Enforcement Division and take it to a DMV service center. Help: (202) 737-4404.
How do you pay or contest a traffic ticket in District of Columbia?
DC DMV handles minor moving, parking and photo-enforcement tickets administratively. Do not pay if you want to admit with an explanation or contest the ticket; once paid, the option to adjudicate is gone. Adjudication is available online or by mail, and a Ticket Adjudication Ombudsman can help with the process. Failing to pay a moving-violation ticket within the required 60 days results in points being assessed.
What gets your license suspended in District of Columbia?
The DMV may suspend or revoke a license for excessive points (90-day suspension at 10–11 points; revocation at 12 or more), delinquent child support (cleared with an Office of Attorney General clearance letter), and major violations such as DUI (a first DUI conviction brings a 6-month revocation and 12 points, with retesting required). Driving while suspended or revoked can bring up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Reinstatement requires clearing all stops and paying a reinstatement fee.
What is the legal blood alcohol limit in District of Columbia?
A driver is 'intoxicated' at an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more (blood or breath); 0.04 or more for commercial vehicle drivers. Drivers under 21 face 12 points and revocation for driving with any measurable amount of alcohol. A driver can also be charged when under the influence at lower levels.
What is the penalty for a first DUI in District of Columbia?
A first DUI conviction carries a fine of $1,000, up to 180 days in jail, or both, with mandatory minimum jail of 10 days if BAC was at least 0.20, 15 days if over 0.25, and 20 days if over 0.30 (and 15 days for certain drugs). The DMV revokes the license for 6 months and assesses 12 points, and retesting is required to get a license back.
What happens if you refuse a breathalyzer in District of Columbia?
A person under arrest who refuses chemical testing after being warned has the privilege to drive in DC revoked for 12 months (or is denied a license for 12 months if unlicensed). A DC license holder who refuses must enroll in the Ignition Interlock System Program. Refusal is admissible as evidence, and with a prior DUI conviction there is a rebuttable presumption of being under the influence.
How long does a DUI count as a prior offense in District of Columbia?
A 'prior offense' counts for repeat-offender penalties unless the later of any incarceration, supervised release, parole or probation for it ended more than 15 years before the current arrest. A second offense carries a $2,500 to $5,000 fine and up to one year in jail with a 10-day minimum; the DMV lists a 1-year revocation for a second DUI and 3 years for a third within 15 years.
Can you get a hardship license in District of Columbia?
If a license is suspended or revoked for a non-mandatory reason, the driver may be eligible for a limited occupational license allowing driving for work purposes only. The request must be made in writing to DMV Adjudication Services.
Is it illegal to hold your phone while driving in District of Columbia?
While driving, no one may use a mobile phone or other wireless device without a hands-free accessory, or hold one. Exceptions include emergency calls, starting or ending a call, turning the phone on or off, and being stopped (on or off the roadway) where the vehicle can safely remain stationary. Headphones or earbuds covering both ears are also prohibited. The fine is $100; for a first hands-free violation (not texting), the fine is suspended if the driver shows proof of getting a hands-free accessory.
Is a DUI a felony in District of Columbia?
The District's DUI penalty law does not make a repeat DUI a felony. A first DUI carries up to 180 days in jail; a DUI with one or more prior DUI, DWI or impaired-driving offenses carries up to 1 year, with mandatory minimum jail terms that rise with the number of priors and the alcohol level, and an extra 30 days mandatory for each violation once a person has 3 priors. Separate crimes, such as homicide or assault committed with a vehicle, are handled under other laws.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in District of Columbia?
DC DMV assigns 12 points for driving under the influence or while impaired, and says points stay on a DC driving record for two years. The DMV pages read do not say how long the DUI conviction itself stays on the record. DC's criminal record sealing law was changed in recent years, and whether and when a DUI conviction can be sealed was not confirmed from the pages read.
Are DUI checkpoints legal in District of Columbia?
The Metropolitan Police Department runs weekly 'traffic safety compliance checkpoints' and has promoted them during holiday impaired-driving campaigns such as 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.'
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