District of Columbia is a choice no-fault state with 25/50/10 minimum liability. Here's exactly what the law demands, what it costs to ignore it, and how SR-22 filings work — with statutes cited.
| Coverage DC law requires | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability — per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury liability — per accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 |
| UM/UIM | Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage of $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident is |
| UMPD | Uninsured motorist property damage coverage of $5,000, subject to a $200 deductible, is ma |
First offense: Operating an uninsured vehicle carries a $500 fine and license suspension of up to 30 days; a $30 fine applies for failing to present proof of insurance.
Repeat offenses: Fines increase 50% with each subsequent offense (about $750 for a second, $1,000 for a third) and suspensions can run up to 60 days.
License impact: Registration is suspended for coverage lapses, with a $150 lapse fine plus $7 per day after 30 days (capped at $2,500); a $98 reinstatement fee and an SR-22 filing are required to restore privileges. (source: DC DMV; ValuePenguin)
The DC DMV requires an SR-22 certificate maintained for 3 years after reinstatement following qualifying suspensions; non-owner filings are available.
Typically required after: driving uninsured, license suspension, DUI. Filing period: 3 years in most cases. Non-owner option: available — you can file without owning a car.
Need one filed? Our SR-22 service page explains the process; a licensed professional at (866) 370-6395 can usually file the same day.
PIP is optional in DC. Under the Compulsory/No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act, insurers must offer PIP, and an injured person who carries it has 60 days after an accident to elect no-fault benefits instead of suing, so DC operates as a choice jurisdiction.
Vehicles registered in DC must maintain continuous DC insurance; owners must surrender tags immediately when coverage ends or face escalating fines.
DC had the highest estimated uninsured motorist share in the country in the Insurance Research Council's most recent state data.
License and registration consequences: Registration is suspended for coverage lapses, with a $150 lapse fine plus $7 per day after 30 days (capped at $2,500); a $98 reinstatement fee and an SR-22 filing are required to restore privileges.
| City | Population | Median income | 30+ min commute | No-vehicle households |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 681,294 | $109,870 | 51.4% | 36.0% |
Source: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-year estimates.
Around the District, driving is defined by the Beltway — inner loop, outer loop, and the Springfield Mixing Bowl — plus I-66's peak-hour rules, the I-270 spur through Gaithersburg and Germantown, and HOT-lane math on 95 and 395 for Dale City commuters. Dense stop-and-go from Silver Spring to Arlington produces the region's signature low-speed fender benders, which makes collision coverage and deductible choices very practical here. Street parking in the District and Alexandria versus a Reston or Bowie driveway changes theft and break-in exposure — a comprehensive question. And when even modest snow paralyzes the region, comprehensive and rental coverage suddenly feel less theoretical.
Every legal claim on this page traces to:
Laws change. We refresh state pages on a rolling schedule and date-stamp every change; verify with your state before acting.