D.C. extends ticket amnesty program

Heather Curtis

WMAL.com

Good news for drivers with overdue tickets in the District: the city’s giving you more time to pay without being penalized. 

A ticket amnesty program in the District that was scheduled to end on Thursday’s being extended to Dec. 31. 

“Because it’s been such a tremendous success, we know that more drivers could benefit from the program and we know that many more residents still need to,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a press conference on Monday.

Since the program started in June, Boswer says more than 32,000 drivers have taken advantage of it, collectively settling $44 million worth of tickets.

The program extension could save drivers a lot since the amount due for unpaid tickets doubles after 30 days. It applies to parking tickets, ones issued by police officers for minor moving violations, and photo enforcement tickets, which include ones for red-light, speed and stop sign cameras. Deputy Mayor Lucinda Babers said it applies to all tickets issued “since time began” to before Dec. 31.

The penalty will be added back to any outstanding tickets not paid by Dec. 31.

“So this is the time to take care of business, to take care of your debts,” Babers said.

If the monetary incentive isn’t enough to get drivers to pay, Babers also reminded people that D.C. residents have to pay all  outstanding tickets that are more than 90 days old to renew their driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations. 

More information can be found at ticketamnesty.dc.gov.

Copyright 2021 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (Photo: AP)

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