Contest a Photo Enforcement Ticket

You may contest a photo enforcement ticket online, by mail or by appearing at a walk-in hearing within 60 calendar days of the ticket issue date. If you do not contest or pay your ticket within 30 calendar days of receiving the ticket, a penalty equal to the fine will be added, and you may lose your opportunity to have a hearing. If the ticket is more than 60 days old, you may submit a Motion to Vacate Judgment [PDF] to determine whether you may still contest the ticket. However, your Motion to Vacate Judgment must be received within 120 calendar days from the date the ticket was issued. Also, effective October 23, 2012, you will no longer be able to transfer liability on a photo enforcement ticket.

In accordance with District law, if you submit payment for a ticket fine, you can no longer adjudicate the ticket; therefore, if you are within the 120 days of the ticket being issued and you want to dispute the penalty, you should not pay any portion of the ticket. You should provide evidence to support your defense.

Submit Adjudication Request Online

• An adjudication request can be submitted online. This online process eliminates the need to rely on the postal service and assists in ensuring we receive your adjudication request within the necessary time period.
• Your request must be received within 60 calendar days of the ticket issue date or the mail date if the ticket is for a photo enforced violation.
• However, if you do not contest or pay within 30 calendar days, a penalty equal to the fine will be added.
• Complete the online adjudication form, summarizing your defense. Submit the form and upload any evidence (photos, vehicle registration, receipts, etc) which you think might help your case. The file format is noted at the end of the online document.
• An e-mail acknowledgment will be sent to the e-mail address you provide. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgment, then that means we did not receive your adjudication request, and you need to resubmit it online or submit it by mail or in-person.
• The hearing examiner's decision letter will be mailed to the registered owner within six months unless a DC DMV Email Ticket Alert Service (TAS) account is established which would allow you to receive an e-mail advising that a decision has been made.
• If you open a TAS account, you will be able to review the decision the same day it is made. You will also be able to monitor all tickets and hearings associated with the registered tag(s) in the account.

Submit Adjudication Request By Mail

• Your request must be received within 60 calendar days of the ticket issue date.
• However if you do not contest or pay within 30 calendar days, a penalty equal to the fine will be added.
• Complete the back of the ticket and check the box for "mail adjudication".
• Complete the Mail Adjudication Form [PDF], summarizing your defense. Submit the form and any evidence, such as photographs, vehicle registration card or receipts, which you think might help your case.
• Send to:

DMV Adjudication Services
Attn: Mail Adjudication
PO Box 37135
Washington, DC 20013

• You will be notified in writing of the hearing examiner's decision within six months.

Walk-in Hearing - Parking and Photo Enforcement Tickets only

• Hearings for parking and photo tickets are available on a walk-in basis at Adjudication Services.
• To be eligible for a walk-in hearing, you must be the registered vehicle owner or have Power of Attorney* signed by the registered owner authorizing you to act on his/her behalf.
• Explanation of Walk-In Photo Enforcement Hearings

Note: If you contest a ticket and are found liable for the violation, you may appeal to the Traffic Adjudication Appeals Board.