The Council of the District of Columbia unanimously amended the District of Columbia Traffic Adjudication Act of 1978 to eliminate the suspension of drivers’ licenses for unpaid traffic debt or failure to appear at hearings. The amendment also increased the time before a fine is doubled for failure to respond to a traffic citation from 30 to 60 calendar days. However, a driver’s licenses will not be renewed if the person has unpaid traffic debt at the time their license expires.
You can read the full text of the legislation here.
Key Provisions
- Drivers’ licenses won’t be suspended for certain violations related to moving infractions.
- Drivers’ licenses suspended are to be reinstated if the suspension occurred due to a failure to pay civil fines and fees under the 1978 Act or for failure to appear at a hearing.
- Civil fines or penalties issued under the 1978 Act, unpaid after 10 years of notice were vacated and the infraction dismissed.
- Created the Community Service Debt Repayment Program allowing residents to do community service as way to reduce their debts.
Primary sponsor(s): Trayon White, Robert White, Mary Cheh, Jack Evans, Kenyan McDuffie, Anita Bonds, David Grosso, Charles Allen
Bill number: DC Law 22-175 or DC B22-0204
Name of Bill (as introduced): Traffic and Parking Ticket Penalty Amendment Act of 2018
Status: Enacted