The Department of Public Works (DPW) boots or tows vehicles in the District of Columbia
that have two or more 60-day-old, unpaid tickets. A boot is a device attached to the
car's wheel in order to immobilize it. The boot can only be safely removed by DPW. A booted
vehicle is subject to towing immediately, if the outstanding tickets and boot fee remain
unpaid. Boots are normally removed less than two hours after fines have been paid.
A vehicle may be towed by the Department of Public Works (DPW)
or the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) if it is parked so as to
create a traffic or safety hazard.