Receiving a speeding ticket can be stressful, but paying it shouldn’t be. The District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV) offers multiple convenient methods to pay your speeding ticket online and through other channels. This guide will walk you through each option, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free payment process. Remember, if you intend to contest your ticket, do not make a payment, as payment signifies admission of guilt and forfeits your right to contest.
Important Notice: Attempting to reverse a credit card payment after paying your ticket online will result in your infraction being treated as unpaid. This can lead to penalties, default judgments, debt collection, and restrictions on future credit/debit card payments with DC DMV.
Convenient Ways to Pay Your DC Speeding Ticket
DC DMV provides several options to cater to your preferences when it comes to settling your traffic tickets. Let’s explore each method in detail:
Pay Your Ticket Online: Quick and Easy
Paying your speeding ticket online is the most efficient and readily accessible method. It’s available 24/7, allowing you to resolve your ticket from the comfort of your home or on the go.
To pay your speeding ticket online, you will need the following:
- Your ticket number: This is essential for locating your record in the system.
- Credit card information: DC Government accepts major credit cards including Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express for online payments.
Simply visit the DC DMV website’s online payment portal, enter your ticket number, and follow the prompts to complete your secure transaction. This method provides immediate confirmation of your payment, giving you peace of mind.
Pay Your Ticket by Mail: Traditional and Secure
If you prefer a more traditional approach, you can pay your speeding ticket by mail. However, it’s crucial to adhere to specific guidelines to ensure your payment is processed correctly.
Key points to remember when paying by mail:
- Do not send cash: DC DMV does not accept cash through mail.
- Use a check or money order: Make it payable to the “DC Treasurer.”
- Write your ticket number: Clearly write your ticket number on the memo line of your check or money order. This helps ensure accurate allocation of your payment.
- No ticket number? Include vehicle details: If you’ve misplaced your ticket, write the ticketed vehicle’s state and tag number on your payment (e.g., “MD license tag #ABC123”).
- Multiple tickets? Specify ticket numbers: If you have multiple outstanding tickets and don’t specify ticket numbers, payment will be applied to the oldest ticket first.
Mail your payment to:
Adjudication Services
PO Box 2014
Washington, DC 20013
Important Penalty Warning: DC DMV must receive your payment within 30 calendar days from the ticket issue date (or mailing date for photo tickets). Failure to do so will result in a penalty equal to the original fine amount being added to your ticket.
Pay Your Ticket by Phone: For Immediate Assistance
For those who prefer verbal guidance or need immediate assistance with their payment, paying your speeding ticket by phone is a viable option.
You can call the dedicated payment line at (866) 893-5023 to pay your ticket over the phone. Ensure you have your ticket number and credit card details ready when you call. This method allows you to speak to a representative who can guide you through the payment process.
Pay Your Ticket In-Person: For Face-to-Face Transactions
If you prefer face-to-face interactions, you can pay your speeding ticket in person at the DC DMV Adjudication Service Center.
Visit the Adjudication Services center located at:
955 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Promenade Level – Suite P100
Washington, DC 20024
Accepted payment methods at the service center include:
- Cash
- Check
- Money order
- Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express)
If paying by check, money order, or credit card, you must present a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, DMV-issued ID, passport, or military ID.
Paying Tickets for Booted or Towed Vehicles
If your vehicle has been booted due to unpaid tickets, you must settle your outstanding tickets to get the boot released. DC DMV does not accept checks for boot release payments. Ensure you use another accepted payment method like a credit card, money order, or cash if paying in person.
Alt text: Yellow parking boot clamped on a car wheel, indicating vehicle immobilization for unpaid tickets.
For vehicles that have been towed, contact DC 311 for information on retrieval and associated fees. It’s important to note that DC DMV does not handle booting or towing directly. These are functions of the DC Department of Public Works (DC DPW). For further details on booting and impoundment, please visit the DC DPW website.
Conclusion: Choose the Payment Method That Suits You Best
Paying your speeding ticket in DC is designed to be straightforward with multiple options available. Whether you prefer the convenience of online payment, the security of mail, the assistance of phone payment, or the personal touch of in-person payment, DC DMV provides accessible methods to resolve your ticket efficiently. Remember to pay your ticket promptly to avoid penalties and ensure your driving record remains in good standing. Paying your speeding ticket online or through other provided methods is a crucial step in resolving your traffic violation responsibly.
