District of Columbia camera tickets: what D.C. Code §§ 50-2209.01 and 50-2209.02 say about automated traffic enforcement systems and the registered owner

This page quotes sections of the Code of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code), published by the Council of the District of Columbia at code.dccouncil.gov, and sections of Title 18 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR), published at dcregs.dc.gov, with a District Department of Transportation (DDOT) page and a DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV) page, listed under Sources below. It covers notices based on automated traffic enforcement systems (cameras) in the District of Columbia (Washington, DC). It does not apply any of this text to any notice. Confirm what your paper says.

US overview: What a mailed camera notice is. Contrast: What an NYC camera notice is · Three different California camera notices · Florida Notice of Violation vs Uniform Traffic Citation · Maryland school-zone speed monitoring vs SafeZones work-zone cameras · Colorado automated camera notices: CDOT Speed Enforcement vs local AVIS · Washington automated camera notices: local programs vs WSDOT work-zone cameras · Virginia automated camera notices: photo-speed, red light, and school-bus cameras · Tennessee automated camera notices: unmanned ASE, school-zone / S-curve speed, and school-bus cameras · Pennsylvania automated camera notices: red light, work-zone speed, Philadelphia speed, and school-bus cameras · Illinois automated camera notices: red light, Chicago safety-zone speed, school-bus stop-arm, and railroad-crossing cameras, plus state work-zone speed camera citations · New Mexico city camera notices: Albuquerque ASE and Santa Fe STOP speed cameras · Iowa automated speed camera citations: Iowa DOT-permitted fixed and mobile systems under Iowa Code chapter 321P · Texas red-light camera and city speed camera prohibitions: what Transportation Code chapter 707 and § 542.2035 say · Alabama camera notices: the state work-zone speed camera pilot under Act 2026-475 and city red-light camera local acts · Louisiana camera citations: what R.S. 32:43 to 32:49 say about school-zone speed cameras and red light cameras · Oregon camera citations: what ORS 810.434 to 810.444 say about city photo red light, city photo radar, and highway work-zone photo radar · Rhode Island camera citations: what chapters 31-41.2 and 31-41.3 say about red light cameras and school-zone speed cameras · North Carolina camera citations: what G.S. 160A-300.1, 160A-300.4 and 153A-246.1 say about red light cameras and school-zone speed cameras · South Carolina camera citations: what S.C. Code §§ 56-7-35, 56-5-710(B) and 56-5-70(E) say about citations based on photographic evidence · Minnesota camera citations: what Minn. Stat. §§ 169.147, 169.14 and 169.06 say about the traffic safety camera pilot program · Delaware camera citations: what 21 Del. C. §§ 4101(d) and 4170A say about red light cameras and electronic speed monitoring · Indiana camera citations: what IC 8-23-32 says about the worksite speed control pilot program · Hawaii camera citations: what HRS chapters 291J and 291L say about photo red light imaging detector systems and automated speed enforcement systems · Massachusetts school bus camera citations: what M.G.L. c. 90, §§ 14C to 14E and c. 40, § 71 say about school bus violation detection monitoring systems · Wyoming school bus video fines: what W.S. 31-5-507(e) and 21-3-131(b)(x) say about video systems on school buses and registered owner fines.

Related: District of Columbia parking tickets.

Another page quotes D.C. Code § 50-2201.04 and 18 DCMR §§ 2600 and 303, on speeding, civil fines, and points: What a District of Columbia speeding ticket is.

The D.C. Code sections are quoted as the code.dccouncil.gov section pages showed them on 3 Nov 2026. The 18 DCMR sections are quoted from the “Adopted Rule” text files offered on the dcregs.dc.gov section pages on 3 Nov 2026. The notes that the code.dccouncil.gov pages show after a section’s text, such as history, applicability, and editor’s notes, are not quoted.

What D.C. Code § 50-2209.01 says about automated traffic enforcement systems

D.C. Code § 50-2209.01(a): “The Mayor is authorized to use an automated traffic enforcement system to detect moving infractions. Violations detected by an automated traffic enforcement system shall constitute moving violations. Proof of an infraction may be evidenced by information obtained through the use of an automated traffic enforcement system. For the purposes of this subchapter, the term “automated traffic enforcement system” means equipment that takes a film or digital camera-based photograph which is linked with a violation detection system that synchronizes the taking of a photograph with the occurrence of a traffic infraction.”

D.C. Code § 50-2209.01(b): “Recorded images taken by an automated traffic enforcement system are prima facie evidence of an infraction and may be submitted without authentication.”

D.C. Code § 50-2209.01(c): “An individual’s driver’s license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in the District shall not be suspended for a violation detected by an automated traffic enforcement system for failure to:”

D.C. Code § 50-2209.01(c)(1): “Timely answer a notice of infraction;”

D.C. Code § 50-2209.01(c)(2): “Appear, without good cause, at a scheduled hearing; or”

D.C. Code § 50-2209.01(c)(3): “Timely pay any civil fine or penalty.”

That is the Code’s statement. This page quotes all of the text of section 50-2209.01. This page does not say how that text applies to a particular notice, license, or driving record.

What D.C. Code § 50-2209.02 says about the registered owner and the notice

D.C. Code § 50-2209.02(a): “Absent an intervening criminal or fraudulent act, the owner of a vehicle issued a notice of infraction shall be liable for payment of the fine assessed for the infraction.”

D.C. Code § 50-2209.02(b): “When a violation is detected by an automated traffic enforcement system, the Mayor shall mail a summons and a notice of infraction to the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles or the appropriate state motor vehicle agency. The notice shall include the date, time, and location of the violation, the type of violation detected, the license plate number, and state of issuance of the vehicle detected, and a copy of the photo or digitized image of the violation.”

D.C. Code § 50-2209.02(c): “An owner or operator who receives a citation may request a hearing which shall be adjudicated pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 23 of this title.”

D.C. Code § 50-2209.02(d): “The owner or operator of a vehicle shall not be presumed liable for violations in the vehicle recorded by an automated traffic enforcement system when yielding the right of way to an emergency vehicle, when the vehicle or tags have been reported stolen prior to the citation, when part of a funeral procession, or at the direction of a law enforcement officer.”

That is the Code’s statement. This page quotes subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of section 50-2209.02. This page does not quote subchapter I of Chapter 23 of Title 50, which subsection (c) names. This page does not say how that text applies to a particular notice, license, or driving record.

A DDOT page, “DC StreetSafe FAQs”, under the question “When a violation occurs, who receives the citation?”, states: “Citations are mailed to the registered vehicle owner, of the license plate or based on the USDOT number for commercial motor vehicles violations.” Under the question “What if the registered owner was not driving the vehicle?”, it states: “The registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for paying photo enforcement citations. Liability cannot be transferred to the person driving the vehicle.”

Those are the DDOT page’s statements. The page has other questions and answers that this page does not cover.

What 18 DCMR § 2600 says about civil fines for speeding

The DDOT page, under the question “What are the penalties for these violations?”, states: “The fines for traffic violations captured by ATE are the same as fines for violations issued by a police officer.”

18 DCMR § 2600.1: “The following civil infractions and their respective fine amounts set forth in this section do not include those major moving violations for which jurisdiction remains in the Superior Court:”

Under the heading “Speeding”, the table in 18 DCMR § 2600.1 lists, among other entries:

18 DCMR § 2600.2: “If a civil infraction listed in § 2600.1 occurs within a work zone area, delineated by signs as required by § 4040, an additional fine equal to the fine for the civil infraction shall be issued to the driver.”

18 DCMR § 2600.3: “If a civil infraction for speeding listed in § 2600.1 occurs within a school zone, an additional fine equal to the fine for the civil infraction for speeding shall be issued.”

18 DCMR § 2600 also contains a note headed “TRAFFIC VIOLATION IN NATIONAL CAPITAL PARKS”, which states: “Additional traffic regulations for all District of Columbia areas under the jurisdiction of the U.S. National Park Service are set forth in Part 50 of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations.”

The note continues: “Penalties for violation of federal traffic regulations in park areas are set forth in 36 C.F.R. § 50.5, and in other specific sections.”

The note continues: “District of Columbia traffic laws and regulations, and the penalties applicable to violations of District laws and regulations set forth in this title and the D.C. Code, are also applicable in park areas located within the District of Columbia. [36 C.F.R. § 50.3].”

The source note at the end of 18 DCMR § 2600 ends: “as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 011212 (August 7, 2026).”

A District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Notice of Final Rulemaking, also offered on the dcregs.dc.gov page for § 2600, states: “This final rulemaking clarifies the intended speed at which each monetary penalty for speeding applies.” It also states: “The Director adopted these rules as final on August 5, 2026, and they shall become effective upon publication of this notice in the District of Columbia Register.”

The DDOT page also has a chart, “DCMR Codes for Fines”, of fines for violations captured by automated photo enforcement. Its ticket violation descriptions use other wording, such as “SPEED 11-15 OVR LIMT” and “SPEED 16-20 OVR LIMT”. This page quotes each as written and does not say how one matches the other. The chart also lists red light, right turn on red, stop sign, truck route, bus zone, bus lane, and school bus entries that this page does not cover.

Those are the statements of the regulation and of DDOT. 18 DCMR §§ 2600.2 and 2600.3, quoted above, state an additional fine in a work zone and in a school zone, and D.C. Code § 50-2301.05(a)(2), quoted below, states penalties in addition to the civil fine when a notice is not answered in time or a hearing is missed. This page does not add any other amount to these figures and does not total any amount. Section 2600.1 lists other infractions and fines, including the other speeding entries, that this page does not cover. This page does not say which entry, or what amount, applies to a particular notice. Read any amount printed on your notice.

What 18 DCMR § 303 says about points

18 DCMR § 303.1: “Points shall be assessed against the driving record of an individual upon receipt of evidence of a traffic conviction, not including automated traffic enforcement systems as defined in Section 303.15, or after an individual has either admitted committing, paid a fine for committing, or has been found by the Director or his designee, to have committed, a traffic offense made pointable by this or any other provision of this Title, except that points may be assessed against a person under eighteen (18) years of age at the discretion of the Director.”

18 DCMR § 303.15: “For the purposes of this section the term “automated traffic enforcement system” means equipment that takes a film or digital camera-based photograph which is linked with a violation detection system that synchronizes the taking or a photograph with the occurrence of a traffic infraction.”

Those are the regulation’s statements. Section 303 has other text, including the point schedule in § 303.2, that this page does not cover. This page does not say how that text applies to a particular notice, license, or driving record.

What D.C. Code §§ 50-2302.05 and 50-2301.05 say about answering a notice of infraction

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(a): “In answer to a notice of infraction, a person to whom the notice was issued may:”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(a)(1): “Admit, by payment of the civil fine, the commission of the infraction;”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(a)(1A): “Admit with an explanation; or”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(a)(2): “Deny the commission of the infraction.”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(b)(1): “A person charged with a moving violation may contest the charge by mail, through the Department’s website, or through a personal appearance scheduled by appointment; provided, that a person charged with a violation that was detected by an automated traffic enforcement system pursuant to § 50-2209.01 may contest the charge by mail, through the Department’s website, or by appearing on a walk-in basis during regular business hours at a location designated by the Department.”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(c)(1): “A person admitting an infraction shall, at the same time the person submits an answer, pay the civil fine and any additional penalties established pursuant to § 50-2301.05 as may be due for failure to answer within the time required by subsection (d) of this section. Payment of the fine for the infraction shall be deemed a finding of liability.”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(c)(2): “A person admitting an infraction with an explanation shall submit payment of the civil fine and any additional penalties established pursuant to § 50-2301.05 with the explanation as to why the fine or penalty should be reduced or points should not be assessed. A hearing examiner may, upon consideration of the explanation, order the reduction of the fine or penalty or waiver of applicable points, or authorize the deletion of the assessed points upon the satisfactory completion of driving school.”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(d): “If a person fails to answer a notice of infraction within 30 calendar days of the date the notice was issued, or within a greater period of time as prescribed by the Director by regulation, a penalty equal to the amount of the fine shall be added pursuant to § 50-2301.05(a).”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(e): “If a person fails to answer the notice within 60 calendar days after the date the notice was issued, or within a greater period of time as prescribed by the Director by regulation, the commission of the infraction shall be deemed admitted and all points, penalties, and fines shall be assessed.”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(f): “Not more than 50 days after the notice is issued, the Director shall send by regular mail addressed to the person’s address on the Department of Motor Vehicle’s records notice of the outstanding notice of infraction and the effective date of the deemed admission. For holders of out-of-state licenses, the address in the Department of Motor Vehicle’s records shall be the address available through the Washington Area Law Enforcement System, or similar interstate database containing license information from state issuing agencies, or the address displayed on the person’s driver’s license as presented at the time notice of infraction was issued.”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(i)(1): “Except as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection, a deemed admission pursuant to subsection (e) of this section may be vacated if the Department receives a written application by mail or through the Department's website within 60 calendar days of the date of the deemed admission that sets forth:”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(i)(1)(A): “A sufficient defense to the charge; and”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(i)(1)(B): “Excusable neglect for failing to answer within the time period provided for in subsection (e) of this section.”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(i)(3): “If the infraction underlying a deemed admission pursuant to subsection (e) of this section involves a violation detected by an automated traffic enforcement system pursuant to § 50-2209.01, the deemed admission may be vacated if the Department receives a written application by mail or through the Department's website within one year of the date of the admission and the application need state only a sufficient defense to the charge as set forth in § 50-2209.02(a), that the respondent was not the owner or lessee of the cited vehicle at the time of the infraction, or the registration plates were stolen from the cited vehicle at the time of the infraction.”

D.C. Code § 50-2302.05(j): “The filing of an application under subsection (i) of this section shall not stay any charges, fines, penalties, or points; provided, that if the infraction underlying the deemed admission is dismissed, any charges, fines, or penalties paid shall be reimbursed and points assessed may be vacated.”

That is the Code’s statement. Section 50-2302.05 has other text, including paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b), on contesting a charge of driving without required insurance, subsection (h), on amnesty programs, and paragraphs (2) and (4) of subsection (i), on deemed admissions for other kinds of violations, that this page does not cover. This page does not say how that text applies to a particular notice, license, or driving record.

D.C. Code § 50-2301.05(a): “The maximum monetary sanctions that may be imposed under this chapter shall be as follows:”

D.C. Code § 50-2301.05(a)(2): “In addition to the civil fine, the following penalties may be imposed:”

D.C. Code § 50-2301.05(a)(2)(A): “In the case of a person receiving a notice of infraction who fails to answer such notice within the time specified by §§ 50-2302.05(d)(1) and 50-2303.05(d)(1), a penalty equal to the amount of the civil fine;”

D.C. Code § 50-2301.05(a)(2)(B): “In the case of a person receiving a notice of infraction who fails to answer such notice by the close of business on the date set for the hearing or who answers but fails without good cause to appear at such hearing, with respect to infractions under subchapter II of this chapter, a penalty equal to twice the amount of the civil fine and, with respect to infractions under subchapter III of this chapter, a penalty equal to the amount of the civil fine plus $5.”

D.C. Code § 50-2301.05(a)(3): “The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to infractions issued by the Department of For Hire Vehicles pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 3 of this title.”

That is the Code’s statement. Section 50-2301.05 has other text, including paragraph (1) of subsection (a), on how the schedule of fines is set and changed, and subsections (b) to (d), on payment by credit card, payment in installments, and an appeal filing fee, that this page does not cover. This page does not say how that text applies to a particular notice, license, or driving record.

The DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV) page “Understanding the Ticket Timeline” has a table with the columns “Day 1-30”, “Day 31-60”, “Day 61”, “Day 61-120” and “Day 121”. For the row “Photo Ticket”, marked “(Tickets issued by camera are mailed to your address of record with your local DMV)”, it lists:

Under “Day 1-30” for that row, the page also states: “*Day 1 is the notice mail date.”

That is the DC DMV page’s statement. The page has other rows, for parking tickets and minor moving violation tickets, that this page does not cover. This page does not say which day applies to a particular notice.

Paths the notice describes (not which to choose)

Read which agency issued your notice, the violation it names, the date, time, and location, any amount, and the response instructions printed on it. We do not tell you which path to choose or what step to take.

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Sources retrieved 3 Nov 2026:

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Information on this page was last checked against official sources on November 3, 2026.