The District's first ticket amnesty program in nearly a decade will conclude on Jan. 27 after a haul that D.C. officials say has already topped $3 million but, at its current pace, would fall well short of its $6 million goal.
The amnesty period, which began in August, allows drivers with unpaid tickets issued before Jan. 1, 2010, to pay the original fine while waiving the late penalty. In the District, late fees are equal to the amount of the original ticket, essentially doubling the fine.
Drivers with tickets for moving or parking violations are eligible to participate in the program. Photo-enforcement citations are also eligible for amnesty.
| Not too late |
| Drivers have until Jan. 27 to participate in the District's amnesty program for some unpaid tickets. The DMV has three ways people can pay up: |
| - On the web at www.dmv.dc.gov. |
| - By phone at 866-893-5023 |
| - In-person at DMV Adjudication Services at 301 C St. NW. |
"If we want to both bring in revenue to the District and, more importantly, allow people to get relief during these recessionary times, we thought it was only fair to include everything," said Lucinda Babers, the director of the District Department of Motor Vehicles.
So far, the District has collected just more than $3 million -- almost of half of that from Maryland residents. That's shy of the $6.3 million D.C. predicted it would take in when officials first announced the program in July. Babers is still confident the program will meet expectations.
"I actually think we may still hit the $6 million," Babers said. "Back in 2001, we collected about $6 million then, and 80 percent of what we collected then was collected during the last month."
The amnesty initiative got off to a fast start. In its first month, D.C. collected nearly $1 million.
Babers predicted the closing weeks of the program will spur a rush.
"Unfortunately, people do not seem to come in until the tail end," Babers said. "Jan. 27, we envision, is going to be an absolute madhouse."
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Even as the District has collected on old tickets, Babers said there are still plenty of others -- with fines amounting to well over $200 million -- outstanding. Of those fines, Babers said, $153 million are from parking tickets.
On Wednesday, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray cautioned drivers not to expect another amnesty period soon.
"Time is running out," Gray said. "An opportunity like this doesn't happen often, so we encourage customers to take the time and satisfy their old ticket debts to the District at a lower cost."
