Washington, DC defensive driving course rules
In Washington, DC a hearing examiner may waive the points of a moving ticket for an online course, through a contest by mail.
Rules checked
For a moving ticket written in DC, you can ask a DC DMV hearing examiner to approve an online defensive driving course, but only by contesting the ticket by mail and asking in writing for the points to be waived. Approval is at the examiner's discretion. If approved, you still pay the fine within 15 days and must finish the course within 30 days of the decision. The violation stays on your record without the points. A request after day 30 from the ticket adds a penalty equal to the fine; after day 60 you are deemed liable.
- What a course does
- Points taken off; the conviction stays
- Speed limit for the course
- Not published
- How often
- Not published
- Deadline to ask
- 60 days
- Speeding points
- 3 to 5 points
- Points count for
- 2 years
The Washington, DC rule
Every field of the rule. The number points to its source at the foot of the page.
- The program
- DC DMV approved online defensive driving course for point removal (hearing examiner approval, "Liable Traffic School Approved")
- What it does
- Points taken off; the conviction stays
- Set by each court
- No
- Speed limit for the course
- Not published
- Bar at double the posted limit
- Not published
- Open to CDL holders
- Not published
- Open to tickets in a commercial vehicle
- Not published
- Open to learner and provisional licenses
- Not published
- Open to drivers licensed in another state
- Not published
- How often
- Not published
- Lifetime limit
- Not published
- Deadline to ask
- 60 daysCounted from the ticket date. Ask within 60 days of the date the ticket was written.
- Court fee for the course
- Not published
- Course length
- 8 hours
- Course price the rule publishes
- $29.95$29.95 (SafeMotorist course page, the one course DC DMV lists)
- Crashes
- Not published
Who qualifies
- Not published for CDL holders. Ask your court.
- Not published for tickets written in a commercial vehicle.
- Not published for drivers licensed in another state.
- Speed limit for the course: not published. Your court decides.
- How often: not published.
Deadline and how to ask
- Ticket writtenDay 0
- Deadline to ask60 days
Counted from the ticket date. Ask within 60 days of the date the ticket was written.
Ask by mail.
Points in Washington, DC
| Violation, as the state lists it | Type | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speed 1 to 10 mph above the limit is not listed on the chart; the chart gives 2 to 3 points for any moving violation not listed | Speeding | Not published |
| Speed 11-15 miles per hour above posted speed limit | Speeding | 3points |
| Speed 16-20 miles per hour above posted speed | Speeding | 4points |
| Speed 21 miles per hour or more above posted speed limit | Speeding | 5points |
| Fail to stop for a school vehicle with alternately flashing lights | Red light or stop sign | 4points |
| Follow another vehicle too closely | Following too closely | 2points |
| Fail to comply with seatbelt law | Seat belt | 3points |
| Operate a vehicle with a license expired less than 90 days | Equipment or registration | 2points |
| Any moving violation that does not contribute to an accident and is not listed: 2 - 3 points | Other moving violation | Not published |
| Commit violations that contribute to an accident | Other moving violation | 3points |
| Fail to give right-of-way to a pedestrian | Other moving violation | 3points |
| Fail to yield to an emergency vehicle | Other moving violation | 6points |
| Reckless driving | Other moving violation | 6points |
| Parking and photo tickets: no points | Other non-moving violation | 0points |
Source: Driver Point System Chart, DC DMV (opens in a new tab)
Fees as published
- Course price the rule publishes
- $29.95From the provider page the rule points at: $29.95safemotorist.com/district-of-columbia/defensive-driving (opens in a new tab)
Insurance
A voluntary course is published here for an insurance discount. Insurers set their own rates; ask yours.
Source: Driver Point System, District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (opens in a new tab)
Check a Washington, DC ticket
The form opens the checker with Washington, DC filled in. Add the violation and the date from your ticket.
Washington, DC traffic school questions
Can a defensive driving course take points off in Washington, DC?
In Washington, DC a hearing examiner may waive the points of a moving ticket for an online course, through a contest by mail. The program: DC DMV approved online defensive driving course for point removal (hearing examiner approval, "Liable Traffic School Approved").
When do you have to ask for traffic school in Washington, DC?
60 days. Counted from the ticket date. Ask within 60 days of the date the ticket was written.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Washington, DC?
Washington, DC gives 3 points for 11 to 15 mph over (Speed 11-15 miles per hour above posted speed limit); 4 points for 16 to 20 mph over; 5 points for 21 mph over or more (Speed 21 miles per hour or more above posted speed limit).
How long do points stay on your license in Washington, DC?
Points count for 2 years in Washington, DC.
Does a defensive driving course lower car insurance in Washington, DC?
A voluntary course is published here for an insurance discount. Insurers set their own rates; ask yours.
Sources
Checked against these pages in .
- Driver Point System, District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (opens in a new tab)
- Contest a Minor Moving Violation Ticket, DC DMV (opens in a new tab)
- Understanding the Ticket Timeline, DC DMV (opens in a new tab)
- safemotorist.com/district-of-columbia/defensive-driving (opens in a new tab)
- Points Waiver Information and Request for Points Waiver, DC DMV Adjudication Services (Rev. 02/06/17) (opens in a new tab)
- Driver Point System Chart, DC DMV (opens in a new tab)