Fight a broken-meter parking ticket in Washington, DC
You were ticketed for a meter-related violation (e.g., expired or no payment displayed), but the relevant parking meter was inoperable or malfunctioned through no fault of your own.
the statement
Copy, customize, submit.
To: DC DMV Adjudication Services Re: Notice of Infraction No. [CITATION NUMBER] Plate: [PLATE] ([STATE]) Date/Time: [DATE], [TIME] Location cited: [LOCATION] I am entering an answer of DENY to this Notice of Infraction and respectfully request that it be dismissed. On [DATE] at approximately [TIME], I attempted to pay for parking at [LOCATION] using the meter serving that spot, but the meter was inoperable or malfunctioned through no fault of my own: [DESCRIBE — e.g., blank/error screen, jammed coin slot, non-functioning card reader]. I made a good-faith effort to pay for parking at the meter I was assigned to use. Under D.C. Official Code § 50-2303.05(a)(2)(D), it is a recognized statutory ground for denying a Notice of Infraction that the relevant parking meter was inoperable or malfunctioned through no fault of the person who received the ticket. I ask that this violation be dismissed on that basis. Attached: [time- and date-stamped photos of the malfunctioning meter, any 311 complaint or repair report filed, and proof of an attempted payment such as a failed card-payment notification]. Respectfully, [YOUR NAME] [ADDRESS] [PHONE] [EMAIL]
This template is for informational use only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Square-bracketed placeholders must be replaced with your specific facts. Rules and deadlines can change; if your situation is urgent, complicated, or high-stakes, email info@imfrustrated.org for a free conversation with a volunteer attorney before you send it.
how to submit it
A few things before you send.
- 1Do not pay the ticket. Under D.C. Official Code § 50-2303.05(a)(1), once you pay the fine and/or penalty (in full or in part) you lose the administrative right to contest the ticket.
- 2Identify which of the seven statutory grounds under D.C. Official Code § 50-2303.05(a)(2) applies to your situation, and gather the evidence that supports it (photos, receipts, police report, medical records, registration documents, etc., as applicable).
- 3Choose a response method within the deadline: online through DC DMV's adjudication portal (linked from the DC DMV "Contest Parking and Photo Enforcement Tickets" page), by mail (mark "Admit with Explanation" on the back of the paper ticket and mail it with your evidence to DC DMV Adjudication Services), or in person/virtually at the Adjudication Service Center.
- 4Submit a written statement identifying your ground for contest plus all supporting evidence — DC DMV's hearing examiner considers only the evidence submitted with the request, per the hearing and evidence rules at 18 DCMR §§ 3011–3012.
- 5A hearing examiner reviews the notice of infraction, your answer, and your evidence, and issues a final determination (upholding, reducing, or dismissing the fine) that is mailed to the registered owner, per 18 DCMR § 3013.
- 6If you disagree with the determination, file a notice of appeal with DC DMV's Traffic Adjudication Appeals Board within 30 calendar days of the final determination, per 18 DCMR § 3014.9(a).
- 7If you missed the 60-day response window and a "deemed admission" or default judgment was entered against you, you may still file a Motion to Vacate within 60 calendar days of that determination, showing both excusable neglect (e.g. hospitalization, death in the family, unexpected travel) and a recognized legal defense to the underlying violation.
bring receipts
Attach this evidence.
- ✓Time- and date-stamped photos of the malfunctioning meter (blank/error screen, jammed coin slot, non-functioning card reader, etc.)
- ✓A 311 complaint or repair report for the meter, if filed
- ✓Proof you attempted payment (e.g., a failed card-payment notification) at that meter
what Washington rules say
The rule this rests on.
D.C. Official Code § 50-2303.05(a)(2)(D) — Parking meter inoperable or malfunctioning
One of DC DMV's seven statutory grounds under § 50-2303.05(a)(2): "the relevant parking meter was inoperable or malfunctioned through no fault of the person who received the ticket." Unlike NYC, DC's statutory language does not require you to show an attempt to pay at a different, nearby meter — it targets the specific meter you used.
if this doesn’t work
Your next move.
If the hearing examiner's final determination upholds the fine, you may file a notice of appeal with DC DMV's Traffic Adjudication Appeals Board within 30 calendar days of the final determination, per 18 DCMR § 3014.9(a). If you missed the original 60-day response window and a "deemed admission" or default judgment was entered against you instead, you may still file a Motion to Vacate within 60 calendar days of that determination, showing both excusable neglect and a recognized legal defense to the underlying violation.
questions people ask
FAQ.
Do I need to show I tried a second, nearby meter, like in NYC?
No. Unlike NYC's broken-meter dispute ground, DC's statutory language does not require you to show an attempt to pay at a different, nearby meter — it targets the specific meter you used.
Do I have to file a 311 complaint about the broken meter?
It isn't required, but a 311 complaint or repair report filed around the time of the violation is independent, time-stamped corroboration that the meter was actually malfunctioning.
What evidence works best for this defense?
Time- and date-stamped photos of the meter showing the malfunction (blank screen, jammed slot, dead card reader), plus proof of an attempted payment such as a failed card-payment notification.
Nervous about sending it yourself?
we’ll read it over with you.
Email the situation and a volunteer attorney will respond. No commitment, no invoice, no judgment — just an honest second pair of eyes from someone who actually understands the law.
info@imfrustrated.org