Under District of Columbia law, motorists who are stopped by the police are required to display their driver license and vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. MPD officers enforce this "proof of insurance" law and the civil fine that is attached to this infraction.

DC DMV aims to reduce the number of drivers in the District who do not carry the vehicle insurance District law requires. Uninsured drivers are a serious problem, undermining traffic safety and driving up the costs for insured, law-abiding motorists.

District law defines proof of insurance as "a document issued by an insurance company that lists the name of the insurance company, the policy number, the name or names of the insured, and the period of coverage for the insurance." This is what you must show to an MPD officer if you are stopped in your vehicle.