How To Avoid & Get Out Of Parking Tickets In DC

DC has long been under the microscope for questionable parking ticket distribution. Between over-zealous parking enforcement officers and confusing street-parking signage, it’s up to you to avoid parking violations and dispute wrongful tickets.

 

How To Avoid DC Parking Tickets

• Park off-street when it snows
  • DC has no sympathy for weather-related parking violations. If you don’t have access to a residential garage, reserve affordable, off-street parking.
•  Download DC’s Pay by Phone app for street parking
  • Download the Pay by Phone app to pay meters and never worry about running out of coins again.
• Pay attention to signs 
  • Read all street signage to avoid street cleanings or time constraints. **If you receive an unfair ticket, these signs are your evidence.
• Know the rules 
  • Read DC’s official parking regulations page to ensure you don’t get trapped by rules you’re unaware of.

How To Get Out Of DC Parking Tickets

• Don’t pay the ticket if you’re going to fight it
  • DC won’t refund your ticket. If you want to fight it, don’t pay until the DMV decides how to rule on your ticket.
• Act fast 
  • Either pay or refute your ticket within 30 days after receiving the ticket. After that, the ticket can be doubled or have penalties added on top of it.
• Do your research
  • You’ll need more than your word. Gather documents that help your case, like images of street signs, the ticket, or car registration. If you want a picture of the ticket and violation, which are taken by parking enforcement officers, search your parking ticket here. Images are typically available 72 hours after the ticket is issued.
• Admit with an explanation or contest it
  • There are two options for fighting a ticket: admitting to it or contesting the ticket.
    • If you parked illegally but had a really great reason for doing so, admit with an explanation. The ticket may not be completely scrapped, but the fine might be reduced.
    • If you weren’t parked illegally but received a parking ticket, contest the ticket.
• Wait for a ruling
  • Either way, the DMV will reach out to you with their decision. They may ask for more information before doing so. If they find you liable for the ticket, but you still want to fight it, you can request reconsideration.