District of Columbia Car Insurance Requirements

The Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act requires that every person applying for registration or a reciprocity sticker in DC, have valid District of Columbia car insurance. The insurance must be maintained as long as the vehicle is registered. Lapses in coverage are subject to fines. Do not cancel insurance until vehicle tags are surrendered to DMV.

District of Columbia residents, who incur fines for insurance lapse may enter a one-time payment plan.

The following are minimum insurance liability coverage requirements:

Proof of Insurance

Under District of Columbia law, if you are stopped by the police you are required to display not only your driver's license and vehicle registration, but also proof of insurance. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers enforce the "proof of insurance" law -- and the $30 civil fine that is attached to this infraction.

The goal is to reduce the number of drivers in DC who do not carry insurance as required by District law. Uninsured drivers are a serious problem, undermining traffic safety and driving up the costs for insured, law-abiding motorists.

DC law defines proof of insurance as "a document issued by an insurance company that lists the name of the insurance company, the policy number, the name or names of the insured, and the period of coverage for the insurance."

Metropolitan Police officers will be issuing citations, which carry a fine of $30, for failing to provide proof of insurance. The MPD reminds motorists that the law applies to everyone who drives in the District, regardless of where their vehicle is registered or driver's license is issued.

Failure to maintain continuous valid insurance on a vehicle registered in the District of Columbia will result in suspension of registration tags and reciprocity sticker. An individual will be assessed a fine of $150 for a lapse in insurance coverage from 1 to 30 days and $7 for each additional uninsured day after the first 30 days. Insurance lapse fines may be paid at any DMV service center location.

 Note: State Car Insurance regulations can change. Please check with your state's Motor Vehicle Department for the most current regulations.