Fight a stolen-vehicle-or-plates parking ticket in Washington, DC
The cited vehicle, or its state registration plates, were stolen at the time the violation occurred.
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. The vehicle bearing plate [PLATE], or its registration plates, were stolen at the time this violation occurred. The theft was reported to police on [DATE OF POLICE REPORT], [before / on] the citation date of [DATE]. [IF APPLICABLE: I also reported the theft to DC DMV and filed an insurance claim related to the theft.] Under D.C. Official Code § 50-2303.05(a)(2)(B), it is a recognized statutory ground for denying a Notice of Infraction that the vehicle or its plates were stolen at the time of the violation. I ask that this violation be dismissed on that basis. Attached: [a full police report of the theft, filed before or covering the violation date; any insurance claim documentation related to the theft; and proof the plates/vehicle were reported to DMV as stolen]. 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.
- ✓A full police report of the theft, filed before or covering the violation date
- ✓Any insurance claim documentation related to the theft
- ✓Proof the plates/vehicle were reported to DMV as stolen
what Washington rules say
The rule this rests on.
D.C. Official Code § 50-2303.05(a)(2)(B) — Vehicle or plates stolen at the time of the violation
DC-specific statutory ground under § 50-2303.05(a)(2); DC DMV's published guidance notes this defense "requires [a] full police report" as supporting evidence, not merely an assertion that the vehicle was stolen.
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.
Is a police report required, or can I just state the vehicle was stolen?
A full police report is required as supporting evidence. DC DMV's published guidance is explicit that this defense needs a full police report, not merely an assertion that the vehicle was stolen.
Does this defense cover stolen plates, not just a stolen vehicle?
Yes. The statutory ground covers either the cited vehicle itself or its state registration plates being stolen at the time of the violation.
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