Fight a not-my-vehicle parking ticket in Washington, DC
You were not the owner or lessee of the cited vehicle at the time of the alleged infraction — e.g., the car was sold, gifted, or transferred before the ticket date.
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], the vehicle bearing plate [PLATE] was cited at [LOCATION]. I was not the owner or lessee of this vehicle at the time of the alleged infraction: [DESCRIBE — e.g., I sold, gifted, or otherwise transferred the vehicle on [TRANSFER DATE], before this citation was issued, as shown by the attached bill of sale/title transfer documents, and DC DMV's own registration records show a different owner as of the violation date]. Under D.C. Official Code § 50-2303.05(a)(2)(A), it is a recognized statutory ground for denying a Notice of Infraction that the respondent was not the owner or lessee of the cited vehicle at the time of the infraction. I ask that this violation be dismissed on that basis. Attached: [bill of sale, title transfer, or lease-termination documents dated before the violation date; DC DMV registration record showing a different owner as of the violation date; and any correspondence notifying DC DMV of the transfer]. 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.
- ✓Bill of sale, title transfer, or lease-termination documents dated before the violation date
- ✓DMV registration record showing a different owner as of the violation date
- ✓Any correspondence showing you notified DC DMV of the transfer
what Washington rules say
The rule this rests on.
D.C. Official Code § 50-2303.05(a)(2)(A) — Not the owner or lessee at the time of the infraction
This is the first of DC DMV's seven statutory grounds ("You were not the owner or lessee of the cited vehicle at the time of the infraction"). It is distinct from the "stolen vehicle/plates" ground, which covers theft rather than a legitimate transfer.
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.
How is this different from DC's stolen-vehicle-or-plates defense?
This ground covers a legitimate ownership change — a sale, gift, or transfer completed before the ticket was issued. It's distinct from the stolen vehicle/plates ground, which covers theft, not a voluntary transfer.
What proof do I need that I wasn't the owner?
Bill of sale, title transfer, or lease-termination documents dated before the violation date; a DC DMV registration record showing a different owner as of that date; and, if you have it, correspondence showing you notified DC DMV of the transfer.
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